On January 27, 2023, Will Ethridge had an opportunity to snowboard down Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, as a part of Special Olympics Unified Sports competition at the X Games. He speaks about his experience riding down the mountain at this year’s extreme sports event.
Ethridge, 30, represented Cheatham County and all of the state of Tennessee at this year’s X Games competition. He and twelve other Special Olympics athletes from various parts of the world made an appearance on Buttermilk Mountain. Athletes from Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Finland, and the United States joined him on the mountain just a few days ago. His experience was nothing short of a dream and something that he will be excited to speak about for the time to come. Ethridge tells me that the experience made him “feel good and proud” for what he accomplished.
“It was so awesome and fun. I even got to go up the hill and watch them go down on their snowboards too,” said Ethridge.
He even got an awesome haircut while he was there!
Ethridge had such an amazing experience snowboarding at the X Games that he was too sore and unable to compete in the State Winter Games. However, Ethridge traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, after returning home from Aspen to watch his friends and fellow Special Olympics athletes compete in the Winter Games.
Even though he did not compete, Ethridge still had an amazing time at the State Winter Games. He watched the snowboarding and speed skating events while there and had a great time seeing his friends at Special Olympics Tennessee. When asking him what he values most about Special Olympics, Ethridge brings up the atmosphere and community between Special Olympics athletes and supporters as a whole.
“Everyone is so nice,” said Ethridge. “And, I get to have fun, too.”
He enjoys getting to see his friends at different competitions and supporting them in their races or events. Overall, Ethridge had an amazing weekend filled with his favorite thing— snowboarding. His excitement was felt throughout the conversation I had with him about his busy and eventful weekend.
