Big Sky Hosts 17th Annual Special Olympics

Dozens of athletes compete in snowshoeing, giant slalom events at Montana resort

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:34pm

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Big Sky Resort in Montana hosted the 17th Annual Montana Big Sky Area Winter Games Competition organized by Special Olympics Montana. The day-long event featured snowshoeing, intermediate giant slalom, and advanced giant slalom competitions, with 44 athletes from 9 teams across the state participating. Volunteers, unified partners, and community sponsors came together to make the event a success, celebrating the athletes' determination and joy.

Why it matters

The Special Olympics provides opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to showcase their skills and be part of an inclusive community. Events like the one at Big Sky help raise awareness, foster connections, and demonstrate that everyone is capable of achieving their goals, regardless of where they start.

The details

The morning kicked off with snowshoeing and time trials, followed by the slalom races after lunch. Dozens of volunteers, including ski-with partners, helped run the competition. Many athletes competed with unified partners, where a volunteer trains and competes alongside the Olympian. Notable participants included author Ruth Spinelli, who has been skiing for 12 years and competing in Special Olympics since high school, and Amy Wittman, a Belgrade Panther who has been competing in the Special Olympics since she was 8 years old.

  • The 17th Annual Montana Big Sky Area Winter Games Competition took place on March 2, 2026.
  • The event has been hosted at Big Sky Resort for the past 17 consecutive years.

The players

Special Olympics Montana

The organization that organized the 17th Annual Montana Big Sky Area Winter Games Competition.

Sean Fitzgerald

The volunteer who has served as the winter games competition coordinator for the past 15 years.

Ruth Spinelli

An author who competed with the Bozeman Flames team and has been skiing for 12 years and competing in Special Olympics since high school. She is the chief athlete advisor for the MSU Champions Club, MSU's Special Olympics club.

Cecelia King

An MSU junior who became involved with the Special Olympics through Eagle Mount and was the unified partner for Ruth Spinelli.

Amy Wittman

A Belgrade Panther who has been competing in the Special Olympics since she was 8 years old, and this year marks her 20th season as well as her second time competing in the snowshoe race.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing how happy these guys get when they get a medal is just a really awesome feeling. It's really awesome to help them out, but also to show people that they're not any different.”

— Thayne Pankratz, Unified teammate and friend of the Clark brothers

“It's important to the community because it's a good way to bring everyone together, like athletes and participants, and it doesn't matter who you are. We can all do the same things and we're all capable and strong.”

— Cecelia King, MSU junior and unified partner for Ruth Spinelli

“Coming to an event and volunteering, it gets you addicted to athletes like me. Once you volunteer, you get addicted to it and it'll change your life totally.”

— Ruth Spinelli

What’s next

The judges will decide on Tuesday whether to allow any repeat offenders out on bail following the incidents.

The takeaway

The Special Olympics at Big Sky Resort showcased the determination, joy, and inclusive spirit of the athletes, volunteers, and community, proving that everyone has the capability to achieve their goals when given the opportunity.