Sun, snow, and Special Olympics at Terry Peak

LEAD, S.D. — Around 40 athletes from across northeastern Wyoming hit the slopes at Terry Peak Friday to compete in the Wyoming Special Olympics.

“Today they are running Super-G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom, and then we have some lower-level folks that do a ten-meter walk, a glide event, and some stuff down here on the carpet before they’re reading to go up top,” says Carrie Pilcher, the Area 4 Director for Special Olympics Wyoming.

Pilcher says coming back after a couple years of limited events due to COVID is really important for the competitors, but so is the social aspect.

“Most of them are really excited to see their friends that they don’t see all the time,” Pilcher says. “That’s a big part of it.”

The competition itself is friendly.

“Just a sense of accomplishment. A lot of them are new, so learning a new skill and getting out there and competing and being successful is really important to them,” Pilcher says.

They’re assisted by volunteers, including some from Lead-Deadwood High School.

Adam Perry, a current volunteer and former Special Olympics Wyoming athlete, says,  “It truly means a lot; it is quite an experience. If people want to get involved with this stuff, I say go for it.”

They’re building friendships and confidence one slope at a time.