Para Snowboard
Paralympic snowboard consists of a time-trial cross event and a banked slalom event. Para snowboard is eligible for athletes with physical impairments.
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
Entering the Pathway
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club Finder, opens in a new tabAthletes interested in Para snowboard can start by becoming a U.S. Ski & Snowboard member.
Athletes can find a U.S. Ski & Snowboard club near them offering snowboard programming through their webpage's club finder.
Equipment
To begin training and competing in Para snowboard, athletes will need at minimum the following equipment:
- Snowboard and snowboard boots
- Bindings
- Helmet and goggles
U.S. Ski & Snowboard does not currently offer any national classification opportunities for Para snowboard. See below for information on the process of international classification in Para snowboard and the different sport classes within Para snowboard.
International Classification
Para Snowboard Classification Documents, opens in a new tabInternational classification in Para snowboard is governed by the International Ski & 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
- SB LL1 - Athletes have more severe impairments in one or both legs. Impairments include but are not limited to: absence of a functional knee joint in at least one leg, no passive range of movement in both ankle joints as well as significant restricted motion in at least one knee or hip joint, and others.
- SB LL2 - Athletes have less severe impairments in one or both legs. Impairments include but are not limited to: absence of a functional ankle joint in at least one leg, no passive range of movement in the ankle joint or significant restricted motion in at least one knee or hip joint, leg length difference of at least 7cm, and others.
Upper Limb Impairment Class
Athletes with upper limb impairments compete in one combined class.
- SB UL - Athletes in this class have impairments in one or both upper limbs. Impairments in this class include but are not limited to: absence of a functional wrist joint in at least one arm, significant loss of motion in the shoulder and elbow joints, and others.
Snowboard-Cross
Snowboard cross includes a qualification round and head to head rounds. During the qualification rounds, athletes complete three runs down a course where their best timed run is used for their qualification ranking.
During the head to head competition phase, athletes are grouped in a bracket based on their qualification time. In these rounds, athletes compete against each other in groups of four.
Courses in Para snowboard cross features ramps, bumps, and turns that athletes need to navigate at high speeds.
Banked Slalom
The banked slalom event features athletes racing down a course individually where the athlete's best of two timed runs determines the winner.
Banked slalom courses feature a zig-zag course with wide, U-shaped turns.
Athletes compete one at a time as opposed to head to head.
Podium Certified Clubs
Podium Certified Clubs, opens in a new tabAthletes are encouraged to connect with a U.S. Ski & Snowboard podium certified club and start their journey!
National Team Selection
Para Snowboard Team Nomination Criteria, opens in a new tabContinue training, competing, and progressing through the pipeline to reach Para snowboard national team standards.
Competitions
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Events Calendar, opens in a new tabBecome a member and view the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Calendar to find competitions near you.