Para Alpine Skiing
Para alpine skiing includes the downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom, and super combined disciplines. Para alpine skiing includes sitting and standing classes for athletes with physical impairments and vision impairment classes for athletes with vision impairments.
The five following impairment groups are eligible for Para alpine skiing.
Coordination Impairments
Athletes with a Coordination Impairment have one or more of the following three movement disorders that adversely affects the ability to voluntarily produce a full range of skilled movement fluidly, rapidly, and accurately:
- Hypertonia/Spasticity: an increase in muscle tension that may be velocity-dependent and/or a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch.
- Motor Ataxia: limited precision in direction and velocity of voluntary movement.
- Dyskinesia (Athetosis, Dystonia, Chorea): involuntary movements that interfere with voluntary movements.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions that can lead to coordination impairments include Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Impaired Muscle Power
Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a reduced (or no) ability to contract their muscles to generate force that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system or the muscles.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired muscle power include: spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Motion
Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a reduced ability for a joint to be passively moved that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting a structure of bones, joints, connective tissue, or soft tissues.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired passive range of motion include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency and/or Limb Length Difference
Athletes with Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference have a total or partial absence of a limb or anatomically irregular limb dimensions that are consistent with an Underlying Health Condition resulting from trauma (traumatic amputation), illness (example: amputation due to bone cancer), or congenital causes affecting the bones and/or joints (example: dysmelia).
This impairment group can be further divided into the following sub-categories:
- Limb deficiency
- Leg length difference
Vision Impairment
Athletes with Vision Impairment have an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure or function of the eye, optic nerve, optic chiasm, post chiasma visual pathways, or visual cortex of the brain resulting in reduced or no visual function even when using the best possible refractive or optical correction.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to vision impairments include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
Entering the Pathway
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club Finder, opens in a new tabAthletes interested in Para alpine skiing should start by becoming a U.S. Ski & Snowboard member.
After becoming a member, athletes should look to join a club in their area.
Athletes can find clubs that offer Para alpine skiing programming through the U.S. Ski & Snowboard club finder.
Equipment
Equipment Rules, opens in a new tabAll skiers will need FIS legal equipment in order to compete in Para alpine skiing. Equipment needs vary based on the athlete's classification. Athletes will need the following equipment at minimum:
- Skis appropriate for the discipline, bindings, and ski boots
- Alpine racing ski suit, gloves, helmet, and goggles
- Ski poles or outriggers (as applicable)
- Shin, forearm, and pole guards (for slalom disciplines)
Beginner athletes in Para alpine skiing can rent equipment through their local club.
Adaptive Equipment
Athletes in Para alpine skiing may utilize the following adaptive ski equipment based on impairment type and classification:
- Athletes with lower body impairments that compete sitting utilize a sit ski which includes a customized molded seat that is connected to a frame with a shock absorber for suspension.
- Athletes with vision impairments are permitted to use a bluetooth headset and speaker system for their guide to communicate with them and guide them through the course.
- Athletes in the standing classes are permitted to use outriggers which are adaptive ski poles with a ski attached to the end to assist the athlete with balance and turning.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard does not currently offer national classification for Para alpine skiing. See below for information on the process of international classification for Para alpine skiing and the different sport classes in Para alpine skiing.
International Classification
Para Classification Documents, opens in a new tabInternational classification in Para alpine skiing is governed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
Athletes are required to complete a Medical Diagnostics Form and apply for a license after the start of the season (July 1st) and up to at least six weeks before the classification opportunity to request classification.
Athletes can download all classification documents and find additional information about international classification through the FIS website.
Lower Limb Impairment Classes
- LW1 - Athletes have more severe impairments in both legs including bilateral above knee amputations, or equivalent loss of function. Athletes compete with two skis and two poles/outriggers.
- LW2 - Athletes have a more severe impairment affecting one leg including both above and below knee amputations, or equivalent loss of function. Athletes compete with one ski and two poles/outriggers.
- LW3 - Athletes have less severe impairments affecting both legs such as bilateral below knee amputations, or equivalent loss of function. Athletes compete with two skis and two poles/outriggers.
- LW4 - Athletes have a less severe impairment affecting one leg such as a below knee amputation or through ankle amputation, or equivalent loss of function. Athletes compete with two skis and two poles.
Upper Limb Impairments
- The LW5/7-1 , LW5/7-2 , and LW5/7-3 classes include athletes with bilateral upper limb impairments where the -1 class includes more severe impairments and the -3 class includes athletes with less severe impairments. Athletes in these classes experience impairments ranging from bilateral above elbow amputations to bilateral below elbow amputations or equivalent loss of function. Athletes compete with two skis and no poles.
- The LW6/8-1 and LW6/8-2 classes include athletes with unilateral upper limb impairments where the -1 class includes more severe impairments and the -2 class includes athletes with less severe impairments. Athletes in these classes experience impairments ranging from single above elbow to single below elbow amputations or equivalent loss of function. Athletes compete with two skis and one pole.
Combined Impairment Classes
Athletes in the following classes experience impairments that affect both their arms and legs.
- LW9-1 - Athletes experience a more severe combination of lower and upper body impairments. Athletes may compete with two skis and one pole or outrigger or one ski and two outriggers.
- LW9-2 - Less severe combination of lower and upper body impairments. Athletes compete with two skis and one pole or outrigger.
Sit Skier Classes
Athletes in the following classes compete in a sit ski with two outriggers
- LW10-1 /LW10-2 - Athletes experience impaired muscle power or coordination impairments that prevent them from safely being able to ski standing. They often experience impairments that severely impact the trunk.
- LW11 - Athletes with full upper abdominal activity with a functional trunk impairment. Often have reduced to no power in the hips and experience impairments such as diplegia.
- LW12 - Athletes with the least severe coordination impairment or impaired muscle power and also includes athletes with a combination of coordination/muscle impairments and a lower limb amputation.
Vision Impairment Classes
The Para alpine sport classes for vision impairments vary slightly from other sports that include vision impairment classes. Unlike other sports, athletes are eligible for Para alpine if they have a visual acuity equal to or worse than LogMAR 0.6 (roughly 20/80) or a visual field of equal to or less than 70 degrees.
- Also unlike other sports with vision impairment classes, Para alpine offer four different classes from AS1 to AS4 where AS1 includes athletes with the most severe vision impairments and AS4 includes athlete with the least severe vision impairments.
Paralympic Disciplines
Paralympic Alpine Skiing Disciplines, opens in a new tabParalympic alpine skiing includes the following five disciplines on the Paralympic games program:
- Downhill
- Slalom
- Giant Slalom
- Super Giant Slalom (Super G)
- Alpine combined
Factor Time Score
Athletes compete in three primary groupings where all ambulatory athletes compete together, all sitting athletes compete together, and all VI athletes compete together.
In Para alpine skiing, athletes are given a factor score based on their level of impairment which is a mathematical system that adjusts the athlete's raw course completion time, allowing athletes with different severities of impairments to fairly compete against each other.
The formula is:
- Factored Time Score = raw completion time x factor score
Podium Certified Clubs
Podium Certified Clubs, opens in a new tabAthletes are encouraged to connect with a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Certified Club and start their journey!
Stifel Para Alpine Ski Team
Para alpine ski team nomination criteria, opens in a new tabContinue training and competing, and progress towards the Para alpine ski national team criteria.
Competition Opportunities
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Events Calendar, opens in a new tabBecome a member and view the U.S. Ski & Snowboard calendar to find an event near you.