Cross Country Skier Owen Munroe’s Race from Whitehorse to the World Stage

Owen Munroe isn’t just competing against the clock—he’s navigating ever-changing terrain, unpredictable conditions, and the demands of a sport that rewards both power and precision. The Special Olympics Yukon cross-country skier has spent 21 years refining his technique, learning from every climb and descent. His latest challenge? Taking on the world at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

Before earning his spot on Special Olympics Team Canada 2025, Owen had to prove himself at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary. The competition pushed him to his limits, particularly after a tough qualifier in Yukon.

“Those hills were like 140m—that’s a really high climb,” Owen admitted. “I struggled with them, so I was a little worried about the hills in Calgary. But once we got there, those hills were only about 10m, so us Yukoners were well prepared.”

That training paid off. He left Calgary with three medals and a ticket to Turin, eager to take on his first international competition since the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho in 2009.

But beyond the thrill of racing, this trip carried a deeper meaning. Italy had long been on his mind—not just as a world-class competition venue, but as the destination of a high school trip he once had to pass up. Unable to afford the journey at the time, the missed opportunity lingered in the back of his mind. Now, years later, he was arriving not as a student but as an athlete on the world stage, making the journey on his own terms.

As he took it all in, Owen made sure to savour every moment—on the course, exploring the city, and embracing the experience. “I think I’ll have the travel bug now,” he admitted during a post-Games mental performance session, where athletes reflected on the emotional ‘come down’ after competition.

This was Owen’s first time in Europe and a chance to experience a new culture—one just a little closer to the home of his favorite band.

“I’m a big fan of The Beatles. Even though they’re from the UK, Turin is still a lot closer than Yukon,” he said with a grin.

With A Hard Day’s Night and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in his headphones, Owen trained for the unpredictable conditions in Italy. He quickly learned that the snow was nothing like the powder he knew from Whitehorse. Instead, the slick, slushy surface forced him to rethink his approach. During divisioning, his wax pocket skis started collecting snow bulk, slowing him down.

“I wasn’t able to push myself forward toward the end—I ended up running on my skis to the finish,” he laughed. Adjustments had to be made. He switched to skin skis, which performed better in the warmer, slick conditions. The change made a difference, shaving time off his 5K free technique final, where he finished in 19:58.63, taking sixth place. He later placed fourth in the 7.5K with a time of 33:06.57.

But Owen’s biggest moment came in the 4x1K combined-country relay. When athlete quotas left some delegations without enough skiers to field a full relay team, coaches came together to form mixed-nation squads. Owen found himself teamed up with skiers from Finland and the Czech Republic—an arrangement that truly captured the spirit of Special Olympics.

“It was interesting to compete with the other countries and earn medals together,” Owen said. “They were good skiers, and we made a pretty good team. I was happy to win bronze for Canada.”

Even as he competed on the world stage, Owen never lost sight of where he came from. A proud member of the Kaska First Nation, he has long embraced his Indigenous heritage. In 2014, he carved the torch used for the Yukon Law Enforcement Torch Run, a lasting symbol of his culture within Special Olympics Yukon. Now, as he raced through the Italian Alps, he found himself wondering about the Indigenous people of Italy.

“They probably have a very different culture,” he mused. “I would like to learn more about it. Hopefully, I get a chance.”

Back home, Owen had an entire territory cheering him on. As one of only two Yukoners on Special Olympics Team Canada, alongside fellow cross-country skier Darby McIntyre, he became a hometown hero overnight. Local media followed his journey closely, eager to hear his take on the Games.

And Owen? He was happy to share. “I love interviews—I like to share things about myself with people and tell them about Special Olympics.”

His journey from a young athlete to an international competitor has been one of constant evolution. Every race, every challenge, and every adjustment has shaped him—not just as an athlete, but as someone who embraces every opportunity to grow.

But for Owen, this is just one stop on a much longer trail. He’ll take what he’s learned, fine-tune his skills, and push forward to whatever comes next. Because whether it’s a tough climb, slick snow, or a brand-new challenge, Owen Munroe will always find a way to keep moving.