WATERVILLE VALLEY - The winter games of the 37th Special Olympics New Hampshire will be held today and Tuesday, featuring 317 athletes from communities in the state in competitions at Waterville Valley Resort.

The public is invited to the games, and is urged to cheer on athletes from the slope sides. Admission is free.

There will be medals awarded every day, with law enforcement officers from departments statewide volunteering to award each medal.

"It's going to be a wonderful event," said Anna Brennan-Curry, communications and grants manager for Special Olympics New Hampshire.

With a 20-member volunteer management team and 150 volunteers from the state, 33 local programs from New Hampshire will be represented.

Among the 317 athletes, 101 will be competing in Alpine skiing contests, 157 in snowshoeing events, 42 in cross-country skiing and 17 in snowboarding.

Today begins with preliminary time trials.

The medal competitions run from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On Tuesday, competitions will run from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

The giant slalom is today at 1 p.m., the slalom finals are Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., and the Super G finals will be Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Tonight, athletes have the chance to participate in the Athlete Input Council. It is their opportunity to provide programming feedback to the Special Olympics, enjoy an all-athlete dinner, and then celebrate at the athlete dance.

The first N.H. Special Olympics Winter Games were held in Grantham in 1977.

To learn more about the sports and programming offered by Special Olympics New Hampshire visit sonh.org. Results for all of the events will be available at sonh.org by Wednesday.

dseufert@newstote.com