State Winter Games

Weather Update 2/3/22:

At this time we have made the following modifications to the Alpine competition schedule:

Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G will be reduced to one competition run. There will be no breaks in the schedule. When the first event is complete, we will move on to the 2nd, than the 3rd. When possible, athletes will be instructed to go inside for a few minutes while the courses are being changed for the next event.

The following modifications have been made to the Snowshoe Schedule:

The 400 M Snowshoe competition start time has been moved up to 11:00 a.m.

COVID Procedures

All participants should self-screen prior to arriving at this event and should remain home if feeling unwell or displaying coronavirus symptoms.

All athletes, coaches and spectators are required to wear a mask while inside the Winter Games facilities regardless of vaccination status. All athletes and Unified Partners are required to wear a mask indoors while they are competing.

Unless fully vaccinated, participants who are medically able should continue to wear a mask at outdoor venus the majority of time while at Special Olympics Illinois activities.

Athletes and Unified Partners do not have to wear a mask while competing in outdoor competitions.

Vaccination is not required to attend in person events.

Special Olympics Illinois will not be providing masks. Athletes and coaches must bring their own.

SOILL will have hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes/spray, and other cleaning/sanitizing products onsite.

Please check with your Region staff on the status of spectators attending competitions. The decision on allowing spectators is based on the facility being used for the competition, the rules they have, and the amount of people above the number of registered athletes and coaches they can safely accommodate. It is very important you relay to all parents and guardians if spectators will be allowed at this competition.

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

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. 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, February 1, to Thursday, February 3. 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, 1:30 PM Assessments
• Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Thursday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 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

Click the button below to register as a volunteer for Winter Games

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 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.

Tuesday Night Dinner Schedule

Winter Games Reception

The Winter Games Reception will be at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM on Tuesday. 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

Souvenir sales are preorder only and you can pick items up at the tournament. Please use the below link to access tournament merchandise. You will be asked to identify if you want to pick up items at Chestnut Mountain or at Eagle Ridge. 

The cut off for pre-orders is January 26. 

Please go to https://orders.minervapromotions.com/soill_winter_games/shop/home 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 to pick up their family packet and goody bag.

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 PM – 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.

You can also meet our Families team as well as our partners at IL ABLE while you are at Winter Games. You will find our Families staff in both the Galena Room at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and the Mississippi Room at Chestnut Mountain Resort from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Tuesday, February 1 and starting at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, February 2.

Victory Dance

For the health and safety of our athletes, Special Olympics Illinois will not offer a dance in 2022.

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

Winter Games Scratch List 2/1/22

Winter Games Scratch List 2/2/22

Alpine Final Divisions

Snowshoe Final Divisions

Snowshoe 100 M Final Divisions

Snowshoe 400 M Final Divisions

Snowshoe 1600 M Final Divisions

Winter Games 2022 Coach Proof

Winter Games 2022 Event Handbook

Winter Games 2022 Extracurricular Activities

Tentative Alpine Skiing Schedule 2022

Tentative Snowshoe Schedule 2022

Winter Games 2022 Menu

Family Letter

Illinois ABLE Information

2022 Lodging and Vaccination Information

2022 Housing Assignment Sheet

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

2022 Winter Games Results by Delegation

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 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 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.