Para Nordic Skiing

Para Nordic skiing includes both sports of cross country skiing and biathlon.  Biathlon is the sport of cross country skiing and rifle marksmanship. Para Nordic skiing includes sitting and standing classes for athletes with physical impairments, and vision impairment classes for athletes with vision impairments.

Para Nordic Skiing Resources, opens in a new tab

Eligibility in Para Nordic Skiing 

The five following impairment groups are eligible for Para Nordic 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 Leg 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.

Sport Entry 

  • Sport Entry

    Both athletes and guides interested in Para Nordic skiing are encouraged to complete the US Para Nordic skiing Interest survey.

    Once completed, a staff member from U.S. Ski & Snowboard will reach out with more information to guide athletes on the next best steps.


    Para Nordic Skiing Interest Survey, opens in a new tab

  • Equipment

    All skiers will need FIS legal equipment in order to compete in Para Nordic skiing. Equipment needs vary based on the athlete's classification. Athletes will need the following equipment at minimum:

    • Cross-country skis, bindings, ski poles, and ski boots
    • Competition suit, gloves, and goggles or sunglasses
    • Biathletes will need a .177 air rifle with a five shot clip

    Athletes starting in Para Nordic skiing often rent their equipment through a local club.

    Any modification or brace used in the standing classes must be approved by FIS prior to international competition.

  • Adaptive Equipment

    Athletes in Para Nordic skiing may utilize the following adaptive equipment based on impairment type and classification:

    • Athletes with lower limb 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.
    • Biathletes with vision impairments will need an audio rifle which is a rifle that plays a specific audio tone correlating to how close the athlete is aiming to the center of the target.

Classification 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard does not currently offer national classification. Below outlines the process of international classification in Para Nordic skiing and the different sport classes within Para Nordic skiing.

  • International Classification

    International classification in Para Nordic skiing is governed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

    Athletes must hold a current FIS license and complete all required documentation including a Physical Impairment MDF or Vision Impairment MDF at least six weeks prior to the classification opportunity to request classification.

    Athletes who meet the criteria and wish to request an international classification slot should email para.nordic@usskiandsnowboard.org.

    Athletes can find required documentation through the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website.

    FIS Para Snowsports Classification Overview, opens in a new tab
  • Jack Berry is the youngest competitor at the IBU Para Biathlon World Cup in Torsby.

    Lower Limb Impairment Classes

    • LW2 - Athletes with a single leg impairment that affects their leg through or above the knee including an amputation through or above the knee, no range of motion through the knee due to ankylosis, and others. Athletes must compete with 2 skis and 2 poles.
    • LW3 - Athletes with bilateral lower limb impairments such as bilateral amputations at least through the metatarsals, no range of motion in both knee joints, and others. Athletes must compete with 2 skis and 2 poles.
    • LW4 - Athletes with a single leg below knee impairment including amputation through or above the ankle, impaired range of motion through the ankle, and others. Athletes must compete with 2 skis and 2 poles.
  • Dani Aravich competes at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

    Upper Limb Impairments

    • LW5/7 - Athletes with bilateral impairments such as amputations through at least the knuckles and other impairments with an equivalent loss of function that prevents the athlete from gripping and using poles. Athletes must compete with 2 skis and no poles.
    • LW6 - Athletes with a single arm impairment through or above the elbow including above elbow amputations, equivalent loss of movement or muscle function, and others. Athletes must compete with 2 skis and 1 pole.
    • LW8 - Athletes with a single arm impairment below the elbow including below elbow amputations, equivalent loss of movement or muscle function, and others. Athletes must compete with 2 skis and 1 pole.

  • Combined Impairment Class

    Sport Class LW9: Athletes experience an impairment of at least one upper limb and one lower limb.

    • Athletes with impaired muscle power, range of motion, and limb deficiency must have an impairment in an upper and lower limb that would class in to the LW4 and LW8 classes respectfully.
    • Also includes athletes with coordination impairments.
    • Athletes must ski with 2 skis and either 1 or 2 poles.

  • Sit Ski Classes

    Athletes in the sit ski classes have impairments in both their lower limbs and trunk and compete in a sitting ski.

    • Athletes compete in the LW10, LW10.5, LW11, and LW12 classes where LW10 includes athletes with the most severe impairments and the LW12 class includes the least severe impairments.
    • Athletes must have lower limb impairments equivalent to the LW4 class.

  • Vision Impairment Classes

    The vision impairment classes in Para Nordic vary slightly from other sports with vision impairment classes in that the minimum impairment criteria varies slightly.

    • NS1 - Athletes with light perception but no measurable visual acuity or no light perception.
    • NS2 - Athletes with a visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 2.3 to LogMAR 3.5.
    • NS3 - Athletes must have a visual acuity equal to or worse than LogMAR 0.9 (equivalent to 20/160) or a visual field equal or worse than 60 degrees in diameter in both eyes.

  • Competition and Factor Time Scores

    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 Nordic 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

Paralympic Disciplines 

  • Cross-country skiing

    In Paralympic cross-country skiing, athletes compete in the following events:

    • Individual and team sprints (2.5km)
    • 10km race
    • 20km race
    Paralympic Cross-Country Skiing, opens in a new tab

  • Winter Biathlon

    Winter biathlon combines cross-country skiing and shooting.

    Paralympic winter biathlon events consist of sprint, middle-distance, pursuit, and rifle shooting. Athletes race on a 2km or 2.5km course where they ski it three to five times.

    In between each lap, athletes must stop and shoot a series of five targets at a 10m distance where each missed shot results in a penalty.

    Paralympic Winter Biathlon, opens in a new tab

Next Steps 

  • Nordic Club Finder

    Join a US Biathlon club or USA Nordic Combined club near you and start your journey!

    US Biathlon Club Finder, opens in a new tab

  • Rules and Regulations

    Visit the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website for more information on the competition guidelines for Nordic skiing.

    Rules and Regulations, opens in a new tab

  • Competition Opportunities

    Become a member and view the U.S. Ski & Snowboard calendar to find an event near you.

    US Ski & Snowboard Events Calendar, opens in a new tab