State Winter Games Special Olympics Tennessee

The State Winter Games for Special Olympics Tennessee bring athletes, families, and volunteers to Gatlinburg each February for a multi-day celebration of sport and community, typically running Friday through Sunday with events hosted at Ober Mountain, the Gatlinburg Convention Center, and Ripken Stadium, where competitors in alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, floor hockey, and basketball showcase their skills in front of cheering crowds.

You’ll see athletes ranging from young children to adults competing in divisions based on age and ability, with medal ceremonies held throughout the weekend and a grand opening ceremony on Friday evening that includes athlete parades, torch lighting, and speeches from Special Olympics Tennessee organizers and local officials.

Alpine skiing and snowboarding take place on Ober Mountain’s slopes, where volunteers and coaches guide athletes through slalom courses and timed runs, while floor hockey and basketball games fill the Convention Center’s gymnasium with fast-paced action and enthusiastic cheering sections. Spectators are welcome at all events free of charge, though seating at indoor venues fills quickly during medal rounds, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early if you want a spot near the court or rink; outdoor events at Ober Mountain offer standing-room viewing areas at the base lodge and along the lower slopes.

The closing ceremony typically includes a highlight reel and final medal presentations on Sunday afternoon, around 3 p.m. After a day of watching competition, head to Calhoun’s on the River, a Gatlinburg outpost of the Knoxville-based chain operating since the 1980s, for ribs, pulled pork, and riverside seating where you can watch the Little Pigeon River flow past while mountain views stretch above.

Make it a weekend to celebrate by staying at a mountain cabin near Gatlinburg on Lake.com, close to Watauga Lake or Cherokee Lake, where you can spend mornings in the quiet before heading back to town to support the athletes and take in the inspiring energy that fills every venue from the slopes to the courts.