Alpine Skiing

Email Contact:

db5515585@msn.com

Overview:

Local practice on roller skates is held at the Leonard Hall Drill Hall in the afternoons on Thursdays from January through February. On-snow skiing training is held in January and February at Ski Whitetail ski resort nearby Pennsylvania (weekend trip).

State competition in late February is at Whitetail Ski Resort just north of Hagerstown (3-day trip). Three levels of downhill skiing – novice, intermediate, and advanced. Modified skiing – in a sit ski device (used for persons that have limited mobility).

http://www.skiwhitetail.com

Equipment:

SOMD-SMC supplies the helmets and rents the remaining other necessary equipment needed to perform on the slopes. Athletes may also purchase or bring their own equipment but must check with the head coach prior to purchasing equipment.

Uniform Requirements:

SOMD-SMC will provide athletes with a jacket and fleece. Families can purchase and keep their uniform or return them at the end of the season. Athletes are responsible for all other apparel. We recommend that athletes wear a neck gator and some form of water-resistant pants for Alpine Skiing. Athletes must also wear ski gloves.

Practice Overview:

Local practice on roller skates is held at the Leonard Hall Drill Hall in the afternoons on Thursdays from January through February. On-snow skiing training is held in January and February at Ski Whitetail ski resort nearby Pennsylvania (weekend trip).

State competition in late February is at Whitetail Ski Resort just north of Hagerstown (3-day trip). Three levels of downhill skiing – novice, intermediate, and advanced. Modified skiing – in a sit ski device (used for persons that have limited mobility).

http://www.skiwhitetail.com

Training:

Dry Land Practice:
Occurs at Leonard Hall Recreation Center in Leonardtown on Thursday afternoons from 4:30PM-5:30PM from the season start through the week before Winter Games.

On-Snow Training:
Occurs at Whitetail Ski Resort during January and February. On-Snow Race Training, organized by Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD), is available on two dates each season providing experience with athletes from other counties.

Location:

Leonard Hall Recreation Center, 23145 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Timing:

Practice occurs every Thursday afternoon from the season start until the Thursday before Winter Games.

Activities:

Practice begins with warm-ups, generally to music such as the Cha-Cha-Slide.

Eligibility for State Competition:

There are a required number of qualifiers needed to attend the state competition. Some of those can be the required qualifiers announced throughout the season. Each athlete must also attend at least 8 practice sessions to be qualified to compete at the State competition. The athletes and families will receive notification of all qualifiers.

State Competition:

SOMD Winter Games are held at Whitetail Ski Resort in late February.

Participation in Other SOMD-SMC Sports:

Alpine Skiing can participate in other SOMD-SMC sports as long as the athlete can maintain full practice participation in each participating sport. The athlete must discuss and gain agreement from each sport head coach about participating in more than one sport for a season.

Athlete Participation Contract:

Not Required

Housing Requirements for State Competition:

Athletes participating in Winter Games will be housed for two nights in hotels in Hagerstown along with chaperones and the coaching staff, at a ratio of 3 athletes per chaperone/coach.

Other Considerations:

None

Volunteers:

We always need help for a successful season. We are a 100% volunteer coaching and management staff. Parents who wish to help, please register as volunteers. (See information at the bottom of this page).

Only registered SOMD-SMC athletes and registered volunteers are allowed in the training area. Parents and spectators who are not registered as volunteers MUST watch from outside the training area.

Anyone with an intellectual disability age 7 and older are invited to become a Special Olympics athlete. ATHETES MUST BE AGE 8 PRIOR TO BEING ALLOWED TO COMPLETE. Athletes age 7 are allowed to train with the other athletes but just cannot compete.

All athletes/volunteers must sign up for sport training prior to attending practice. Please sign up online as soon as possible so that we can make plans for coaching needs.