Cross-Country Skiing

Season: Winter (November to February)

Email: xcski@somdmontgomery.org

Overview: Cross-Country Skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across mostly flat or slightly hilly snow-covered terrain using skis and poles. It promotes superior physical conditioning while providing enjoyment for athletes of all ages and abilities. We welcome athleteswho are new to Cross-Country Skiing as well as all of our returning athletes. Cross-country skiing events in which we compete range from the 500 meter race to the 10 kilometer race if snow conditions allow. Special Olympics also offers shorter distance events for new, young and/or lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic cross-country skiing skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to longer competitive events.

CoachesEllen Cooper – Head Coach
Season Dates & TimesPractices: Saturdays starting 11/11/2023, 9:00 to 11:00 am
Qualifiers: No Qualifiers at this time
State Games: No State Games at this Time
Medical & Volunteer
Expiration Date
Sport’s End of Season Date:
02-17-2024

The expiration date on an athlete’s Medical form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above date to participate in the upcoming season.

Check athlete status here.
Check volunteer status here.

Special Olympics Resources for Cross-Country Skiing

Equipment: SOMO has acquired a large stock of used cross country skis, poles, and boots, which should fit most if not all athletes.  Many returning team members have purchased their own equipment but it is not a requirement for participation.

Uniforms and Clothing Requirements: SOMO will provide athletes with a jacket, fleece, and hat for use during the season. Athletes are responsible for all other outdoor clothing appropriate for use in cold, snowy weather, including waterproof or water-resistant outer pants and warm ski sloves or mittens. Cotton clothing is not appropriate. Quick-drying “technical” shirts, long underwear and smart wool socks are recommended.

Practice Overview: There are two types of Cross-Country Skiing practices: 1) local dryland fitness and skill training at Bohrer Park (wear running shoes or comparable footwear) and 2) day or weekend trips to Western Maryland or Pennsylvania for on-snow training (wear warm waterproof boots) when snow conditions allows.

Dryland Fitness Training: Occurs at Bohrer Park (meet at the Picnic Pavilion) in Gaithersburg (512 South Frederick Ave across from Gaithersburg High School) on Saturdays from 9AM-11AM from the season start until the Saturday before Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Winter Games at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania.

Day Trips for On-Snow Training: When snow conditions allow, the team plans ski trips to areas with good cross-country trails for on-snow training, areas such as New Germany State Park (about a 2-hour drive from Gaithersburg). These trips usually occur in January but can happen anytime during the season. Since snow conditions can be unpredictable, trips will often require impromptu arrangements. The Head Coach or one of the Assistant Coaches will inform athletes and their families of evolving on-snow training plans with as much advance notice as possible. Both athletes and their families are expected to prioritize these training trips over other weekend activities since local snow conditions can limit our on-snow training opportunities here in Maryland.

Qualifiers: Cross-Country Time Trials occur at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort before the start of the actual competitions at the SOPA Winter Games.

State Competition:  SOMO’s Cross-Country Team competes in the Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Winter Games. These games are held at the Seven Springs Resort in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Athletes and coaches stay at Seven Springs and all Winter Games events and competitions are held at the resort.  

Eligibility for State Competition: Athletes must attend at least 80% of the practices and participate in Time Trials to be eligible to compete in Winter Games. 

Participation in Other SOMO Sports: Cross-County can participate in other SOMO sports as long as the athlete can maintain full practice and competition participation in each participating sport.

Athlete Participation Contract: Not Required

Housing Requirements for State Competition (Winter Games): Athletes participating in Winter Games will be housed for two nights at the Seven Springs resort with chaperones and the coaching staff, at a ratio of 3 athletes per chaperone/coach. 

Other Considerations: Athletes need to be able to follow basic directions from coaches.