Where Courage Meets Community
2026 Special Olympics New Hampshire Winter Games Shine in Waterville Valley
March 4, 2026
For three days each winter, Waterville Valley becomes more than a mountain resort. It becomes a stage for courage, community, and celebration.
From March 2–4, more than 400 Special Olympics New Hampshire athletes gathered for the 2026 State Winter Games, competing in alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and basketball while surrounded by hundreds of volunteers, partners, families, and fans cheering them on.
What unfolded over those three days was not just competition, but a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around a shared mission.
A Weekend of Competition, Celebration, and Community
The Games began Monday morning with time trials across mountain and Nordic sports, as athletes tested courses and prepared for the days of competition ahead.
That afternoon brought one of the most anticipated elements of the Winter Games experience: Resort Experience, an afternoon of fun activities organized and powered by volunteers from presenting sponsor Eversource Energy.
Athletes explored karaoke, games, crafts, touch-a-truck opportunities, bucket truck rides, and more—turning the resort into a playground of celebration before competition began.
More than 160 Eversource employees volunteered across the three days, helping bring the experience to life.
Monday evening, the community gathered for Opening Ceremonies, where athletes from across New Hampshire were celebrated and the spirit of the Games took center stage.
Waterville Valley Coyotes athlete Zoey Rose Sikorovsky delivered a powerful rendition of the National Anthem.
Team Barrington athlete Dylan McDade proudly recited the Special Olympics Athlete Oath:
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Moments later, Concord Golden Eagles athlete Levi Silver rode into the ceremony on a snowmobile alongside New Hampshire Fish and Game officers, escorting the Flame of Hope before lighting the cauldron and officially opening the Games.
Tim Smith of Waterville Valley Resort welcomed athletes, volunteers, and families back to the valley, celebrating the athletes and the community that makes the event possible each year.
Two Days of Competition
Over the next two days, athletes took to the slopes, trails, and courts in pursuit of personal bests and podium finishes.
Competitors demonstrated skill and determination in alpine skiing and snowboarding at Waterville Valley Resort, while snowshoeing and cross country skiing events unfolded in the valley. Basketball teams competed across multiple Lakes Region schools, bringing energy and teamwork to the courts.
Beyond the competition venues, athletes came together Tuesday evening for the Winter Games Dinner and Dance, an evening of celebration, music, and connection with teammates and friends from across the state.
The Volunteers Behind the Games
While athletes are the heart of the Winter Games, the event runs on the dedication of an incredible volunteer community.
Nearly 400 volunteers supported the Games over the three days—timing races, keeping score, presenting awards, preparing meals, directing delegations, and solving the countless behind-the-scenes challenges that come with an event of this scale.
Special recognition goes to the Management Team volunteers, whose leadership and planning make the Games possible each year. These individuals oversee key areas of the event—from competition logistics to awards to volunteer coordination—ensuring every detail comes together for athletes.
Many volunteers also return year after year, building Winter Games into the fabric of their lives and communities.
Among them:
- Nashua High School JROTC cadets, who arrive early to help set up the Games and work tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the week.
- Derryfield School students, who volunteer all three days and help prepare key event moments like Opening Ceremonies and the Tuesday night dance.
- Keene State College Ski and Snowboard Club members, who assist in setting race courses alongside seasoned mountain competition volunteers.
These contributions go far beyond volunteer shifts—they are traditions, partnerships, and experiences that strengthen the entire Special Olympics community.
A Special Partnership with Law Enforcement
The Law Enforcement Torch Run community once again played a major role in the Games.
Officers helped escort the Flame of Hope during Opening Ceremonies, participated in the cruiser parade, hosted activities during Resort Experience, presented awards during competition, and even served dinner to athletes, families, and volunteers Tuesday night before joining the celebration on the dance floor.
Their continued commitment to Special Olympics athletes remains one of the most powerful partnerships within the movement.
Powered by Partnership
The State Winter Games would not be possible without the support of generous partners and sponsors who invest in athletes and the Special Olympics mission.
Special Olympics New Hampshire extends sincere thanks to:
Presenting Sponsor
Eversource Energy
Phoenix Communications
Aldridge Electric
Elecnor Hawkeye
JCR Construction
P&G Power
MJ Electric (Dance Sponsor)
United Civil (Basketball Sponsor)
Sunbelt Rentals
Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast
Associated Grocers of New England
Law Enforcement Torch Run
Special thanks also go to the Waterville Valley community, including Waterville Valley Resort, the local hotels who host athletes and families, and the entire community that welcomes the Winter Games each year.
The Community Behind the Movement
The Winter Games represent months of preparation and a year-round commitment from athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families across the state.
Athletes train throughout the winter—and often across multiple sports year-round—to prepare for moments like these.
Local program coaches and volunteers work tirelessly to help athletes build skills, confidence, and teamwork long before competition day arrives.
When everyone gathers in Waterville Valley, it is the culmination of thousands of hours of dedication across New Hampshire.
More Than a Competition
For three days, Waterville Valley becomes a place where courage is celebrated, friendships are strengthened, and possibilities expand.
Athletes push themselves on slopes, trails, and courts. Volunteers rally together to make the event run smoothly. Families cheer proudly from the sidelines.
And in the process, the entire community leaves a little stronger.
At the end of the Games, everyone goes home with something more than medals and ribbons.
They go home with the reminder that when a community comes together around inclusion, determination, and joy—everyone wins.