2023 Winter Games
*Snowshoe spectators: The 100M and 400M events will start 15 minutes earlier than scheduled!*
What is Winter Games?
Winter Games is one of 13 state sports competitions. It is the culminating competition for those participating in alpine skiing and snowshoeing. Winter Games is hosted at Chestnut Mountain Resort and Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, Illinois. Typically, more than 450 athletes will compete in this three-day event to show off their winning form.
Competition Information
Competition is offered in Alpine skiing and snowshoeing. Athletes cannot participate in more than one sport.
Sports competition runs from Tuesday, January 31 to Thursday, February 2. The public is invited and encouraged to attend any and all parts of Special Olympics Illinois Winter Games.
Tentative Competition Times
All times listed below are tentative and subject to change once event specific schedules are determined. Times only reflect actual competition times and do not include time frames for coach meetings, weigh-in times, etc. For a final schedule please check the supporting documents section close to competition day.
Alpine Skiing
- Tuesday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Snowshoeing
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Event Details
Please check back closer to Winter Games for more details.
Volunteer Information
Special Olympics Illinois is still looking for volunteers. If you would like more information on volunteering, please click here.
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony and the Parade of Athletes will be in downtown Galena beginning at 5:30 PM on Tuesday. Line up will begin at 5:15 PM on Green Street near the historic Post Office building. Agencies will line up behind their region’s flag. The parade will progress through the downtown area and back to the Post Office area where Opening Ceremony will be held. Finally, to top off the ceremony, Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run officers will hand off the torch to athletes who will then carry it along its path and light the Flame of Hope cauldron to kick off the Games! Please dress appropriately for the weather – it is all outdoors.
Dinner Downtown
After the Opening Ceremony, agencies will be escorted to local restaurants for dinner. Please check back in January for restaurant assignments.
Winter Games Reception
The Winter Games Reception will be at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa from 7:30 – 9:00 PM on Tuesday, January 31. The dress is business casual. Light appetizers will be served and guests will enjoy presentations as well as socializing with other families, sponsors, volunteers, Board members, and staff.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs will be sold on-site only at Eagle Ridge. Those staying at Chestnut Mountain will need to pre-order their items and can pick them up in Tournament Central at Chestnut Mountain. Customized items at either venue are only available via preorders. The souvenir area at Eagle Ridge is located in the lower level lobby area and is open Tuesday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Wednesday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Cash and most major credit cards are accepted. Checks are not accepted. The cut-off for preorders is January 23.
Please click here to view items and submit your order.
Souvenir items are offered by Minerva Promotions and a percentage of sales are given to Special Olympics Illinois.
Families
Families are an integral part of Special Olympics Illinois and of Winter Games. Parents and family members attending Winter Games should stop by the families registration area, located on the lower level of Chestnut Mountain Resort and Eagle Ridge Resort.
Families are invited to take part in the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening in downtown Galena. At 5:30 PM, the Parade of Athletes will walk through downtown Galena and end up at the Post Office for the official ceremony ending at 6:00 PM. Dress appropriately for the weather – it is all outdoors.
Family members attending Winter Games will also be invited to the reception at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa from 7:30 – 9:30 PM on Tuesday evening. Space is limited so preregistration is required for attendance at this event. The dress is business casual. Light appetizers will be served and guests will enjoy presentations as well as socializing with other families, sponsors, volunteers, Board members, and staff.
Victory Dance
Special Olympics Illinois will offer a dance from 7:00 – 8:30 PM on Wednesday, February 1. Location is TBA.
Swimming
Due to housing assignment changes, lifeguards will not be provided and swimming will not be offered as an official recreational activity in 2023. For further information, please review the handbook located on this page.
Text Alerts and Event status Updates
In case of inclement weather, schedule changes or cancellations check the website here for updates or sign up for the text alert. This alert will send you any last minute changes in the Winter Games schedule. Please text “Winter” to 844-393-0980.
Awards
Chestnut Mountain: Awards will be downstairs in the Mississippi Vista Room. Alpine awards will take place
immediately after the completion of last event for each level each day.
Eagle Ridge: Awards will be located downstairs in the Galena Room. Snowshoe awards will take
place immediately after each final race.
Supporting Documents
2023 Winter Games Scratch / DQ List for Tuesday, January 31st
2023 Winter Games Final Alpine Ski Levels
2023 Winter Games Handbook Memo
2023 Winter Games Final Coach Proof with Divisions
Winter Games 2023 Extracurricular Activities Flyer
Winter Games 2023 Immersive Technology Flyer
2023 Winter Game Opening Ceremony and Tuesday Agency Dinner Information
2023 Winter Games Housing At A Glance
View the Visit Galena site for information on lodging and activities in Galena.
To see a complete list of all State Championship competitions, click here.
To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus, who support Special Olympics Illinois throughout the year, click here.
Final Results
Alpine Ski Slalom Level 3 & 4 Results
Alpine Ski Giant Slalom Results
Who We Are
Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 9,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.
COVID Procedures
Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines. Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols.
Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible. While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority. All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines.
Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:
https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf
Date
- Jan 31 2023 - Feb 02 2023
- Expired!
Time
- All Day
Cost
- Free
Location
- 8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd, Galena, IL
Location 2
- 444 EAGLE RIDGE DRIVE, GALENA, IL 61036
Organizer
-
Brianna Beers
-
Phone
+1 (847) 845-6481 -
Email
bbeers@soill.org -
Website
https://www.soill.org/blog/team/brianna-beers/
