After nearly a decade, the Special Olympics Maryland Winter Games have returned to Wisp Resort. Help Garrett County Government, Wisp Resort and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce welcome the athletes back with a special program and reception on Sunday, February 26 at 7 pm.
Hear from Special Olympics President Jim Schmutz, Wisp General Manager Ron Hawkes, Commissioner Paul Edwards and Chamber President Will Wrobleski as they help the athletes kick off the 2023 Winter Games at Wisp Resort. Light refreshments and giveaway items will be provided, while supplies last. Please register to attend online at visitdeepcreek.com or by calling 301.387.6171.
The public is invited to stay for the Special Olympics Winter Games Opening Ceremony which begins right after the program at 7:30 pm.
The Special Olympic Winter Games continue at Wisp from Monday, February 27 – Tuesday, February 28th, 2023. Watch almost 200 athletes from across the state showcase their skills and athletic ability in various alpine and snowshoeing events. Alpine events include Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Slalom, Giant Slalom, Glide & Super G. Snowshoeing events include 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m races as well as 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m relay races.
For more information about the Special Olympics Maryland Winter Games, virtualsomd.com/schedule/winter-games/ or wispresort.com/Events/.
“It is so exciting to have the Special Olympics Winter Games back at Wisp where it belongs in the State of Maryland,” said Paul Edwards, Chairman of the Garrett County Commissioners. “I am glad that SOMD and Wisp were able to work everything out and I know that Garrett County will welcome all the athletes, coaches, and staff with open arms. This is a great day for Special Olympics and for Western Maryland.”
“We are ecstatic that the Special Olympics Maryland Winter Games have returned to Wisp Resort and Garrett County. We welcome the athletes, their families, coaches, and volunteers to Garrett County for what is sure to be a wonderful event,” said Will Wrobleski, President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “We appreciate the hard work of those who made this return possible and are excited for our community to share in the joy of the Games.”
Wisp General Manager Ron Hawkes commented, “The staff at Wisp Resort has diligently worked to ensure Wisp has a successful return of the Special Olympics Maryland Winter Games. All departments have been fully engaged in this meaningful initiative. The Mountain Operations team plans to provide an accommodating snow surface and terrain, our Sales and Facilities teams have worked in tandem with Special Olympics Maryland to ensure all details are set in place. Moreover, the improvements and additions that Wisp Resort has made since the last Winter Games will lend to an improved experience for athletes and staff. Some of the more significant improvements include new snowmaking infrastructure on the beginner terrain, a Yurt Village, hotel renovations, and updated accommodations.”
The western-most county in Maryland, Garrett County is home to Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Resort, the state’s only ski resort, and Maryland’s highest point, Backbone Mountain. Garrett County is less than a three-hour drive from the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, two hours from Pittsburgh, PA, Winchester, VA and Hagerstown, MD and a 45-minute drive from Morgantown, WV and Cumberland, MD.
For more information about visiting Garrett County, log onto the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s website, visitdeepcreek.com.
Exact registration link.
