During our winter season, Essex County offers eight Olympic-style individual and team sports that provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Athletes who participate in winter sports begin practicing in December and compete until February.

If you see a sport you’re interested in but haven’t registered as an athlete, learn how to become an athlete. Athletes that are already registered should contact the local area director to learn about playing a specific sport.

View All Area 9 Sports

Alpine Skiing

Special Olympics athletes that want to train and compete in alpine skiing have several different options available. Visit our Alpine Skiing page to learn more about available events and general guidelines and find resources available to athletes and coaches.

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Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing competitions include races of different lengths as well as relays. Visit the Cross-Country Skiing page to see all available events and related athlete and coaching resources.

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Figure Skating

Special Olympics athletes that want to train and compete in figure skating can compete at different levels and in events like singles, pairs and ice dancing. Visit the Figure Skating page to see all available events and find coaching and training resources.

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Floor Hockey

Floor hockey is played inside, often on basketball courts, with traditional team competitions. Learn more about advancement to Winter Games, general guidelines and coaching and athlete resources on the Floor Hockey page.

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Snowboarding

Snowboarders can participate in a range of events and at novice or intermediate levels. Visit the Snowboarding page to see all events and find athlete and coaching resources.

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Snowshoeing

Special Olympics athletes interested in snowshoeing can compete in both races and relays. Visit the Snowshoeing page to learn more about available events and find coaching and training resources.

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Speed Skating

Speed skaters compete in events of different lengths. Learn more about available events, guidelines and resources for coaching and training on the Speed Skating page.

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Volleyball

Special Olympics athletes that want to play volleyball train and compete in a traditional team environment. Visit our Volleyball page to learn more about the guidelines and to find resources available to athletes and coaches.

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