Photo: Paralympics GB/Sam Mellish
para snowsports
Representing excellence on the world stage.
Para snowsports provide competitive opportunities for talented athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments to progress to the highest levels of skiing and snowboarding. From national competitions to Paralympic success, Snowsport England supports athletes on their journey to elite performance. Explore the para snowsport disciplines below.
What are the para snowsportS disciplines?
Para snowsports provide opportunities for talented athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments to compete at the highest levels of skiing and snowboarding.
Through national and international competition pathways, athletes can develop their performance and strive towards major events including World Championships and the Winter Paralympic Games.
Para Alpine
Para alpine is a thrilling race discipline that challenges athletes to use technical skill, speed and control on demanding alpine courses.
With competition formats ranging from tight, technical slalom races to high-speed downhill events, athletes compete using equipment and support tailored to their classification, including sit-skis, outriggers and guides for visually impaired skiers.
Para Snowboarding
Para snowboard is a high-performance discipline for athletes with physical impairments, combining speed, skill and precision in competitive race and freestyle formats.
Athletes compete using a snowboard and adapted equipment where required, including specialised prosthetics and other performance-focused modifications.
Para Nordic
Para nordic is a demanding test of endurance, efficiency and determination. Athletes race across snow-covered trails, using adapted equipment where required to navigate varied terrain and changing conditions.
Whether competing in distance or sprint events, success relies on pacing, technique and mental strength. The sport's year-round nature, with training and competition opportunities on both snow and roller skis, makes it a unique and rewarding discipline for athletes aspiring to perform on the international stage.
Photos: Paralympics GB/Sam Mellish