What an incredible weekend at the 2024 Vermont Special Olympics Winter Games! After a few years of hiatus, the VTSO Winter Games were hosted at the Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, in Wilmington, Vermont, on Friday, March 15th.
This year, for the first time ever, Green Mountain Adaptive Sports (GMAS) provided financial assistance to cover the expenses of five athletes who participate in the Smugglers’ Notch Adaptive Program (SNAP) and receive eight ski training sessions with SNAP instructors at Smugglers’ Notch.
At the 2024 SOVT Winter Games, eight of the ten athletes participating in SNAP hit the slopes with determination and heart, showcasing their incredible skills in skiing.
“When someone tells me I can’t, I tell them, ‘Oh yeah, we will see about that!'” states Luke, one of the GMAS sponsored skier athlete. His mom and dad add that, “Luke has enjoyed quality time with all the staff members of Smugglers’ Notch Adaptive Program who fully accept him and celebrate who he is. Luke has been physically challenged in a variety of activities with SNAP both in the summer and winter. He has learned to push himself a bit harder and do things he thought he may not be able to do.”
The young athletes participated in three races, GS, Slalom and Super G. It was a day filled with unforgettable moments and great fun! Alex explains, “I’ve been part of SNAP for six years. I keep coming back because I love to ski and I enjoy seeing my friends and staff from the program. I think people can learn from me that all abilities can do something.”
We’re immensely proud of our athletes for their hard work and dedication.
Special thanks to Miriam Greenfield, Adaptive Ski Coach at SNAP for the reporting and photos.