May 16, 2025 - The FIS Para Snow Sports Committee convened in Vilamoura (POR) on 8 May 2025 to discuss key developments across Para Alpine Skiing, Para Cross-Country, and Para Snowboard ahead of the 2025-26 season and the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
A central focus of the meeting was the progress of classification research across all three Para Snow Sport disciplines. Building on insights from a 2023 classification survey that drew feedback from nearly 200 stakeholders, FIS is collaborating with the University of Queensland (AUS) to refine the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) through a Delphi Study, that is, a series of questionnaires with experts with the intention of reaching a clear consensus.
The study aims to develop evidence-informed criteria that are scientifically grounded, sport specific and aligned with IPC standards. Completion is expected by May 2026, with proposed rule changes targeted for FIS Council approval in 2027.
In parallel, sport-specific factors — used in competition by athletes across different sport classes in Para Alpine and Para Cross-Country — are being researched in partnership with the Politechnica University of Bucharest. The multi-phase project will run through 2028, with a detailed analysis of proposed factors and their impact forming part of the roadmap.
Updates were also shared on classification activities for 2024-25, including the establishment of a new advisory expert group and an upcoming classifier recertification seminar in October. The committee also heard a research update on vision impairment classification, in collaboration with the University of Waterloo (CAN).
On the sporting side, the 2025-26 calendars for all three disciplines were presented in draft form. The Para Alpine World Cup will stay entirely in Europe, kicking off in Steinach am Brenner (AUT) and featuring key stops in St. Moritz (SUI), Meribel, and Tignes (FRA), before culminating in the Paralympic events in Cortina and season finals at yet-to-be-confirmed venues.
Para Cross-Country athletes will open their World Cup season in Canmore (CAN) in December, followed by stops in Germany, Austria, and Slovenia before heading to Val di Fiemme (ITA) for the Paralympic races and final competitions in Toblach (ITA).
Para Snowboard action begins mid-November in Landgraaf (NED), followed by a planned visit to China and European races in Switzerland, Austria and Finland. The season will wrap up in North America with finals in Big White (CAN) and Steamboat (USA), before athletes head to Cortina for the Paralympic events.
A number of rule changes were approved across the disciplines:
Para Cross-Country: Streamlining of the ICR to align with able-bodied rules; new rules for roller ski races; clarified relay exchanges; revised false start penalties in sprint heats; and updates regarding the start positions and conduct of guides for vision impaired athletes.
Para Alpine: Changes to World Cup draws and addition of a Team Combined event; clarifications to the Full Stop Rule and allowed distance between athlete and guide.
Para Snowboard: Revised SBX qualification phase; new card system and a points-based format for the SBX Team Event to facilitate event organization at all levels.
FIS Para Snow Sports Committee Chair Stefano Arnhold praised the scope of discussions:
“Para Snowsports had an excellent meeting approving rules and qualification criteria for our three disciplines, followed by comprehensive reports from Athletes and Coaches. The high points were presentations on Para Classification and Factors with a roadmap of activities until 2028, as well as the structure of the Para Sports Operational Plan. The Plan, fully aligned with the FIS Strategic Plan, will guide the Para activities with long-term goals and the definition of business models. It was also great to see intense interaction of members with FIS Communication and Marketing & Media Departments.”
The next in-person meeting of the Para Snow Sports Committee will take place during the FIS Fall Meetings in Zurich (SUI) this September — an important milestone to put the final touch on preparations for what promises to be an exciting and much-anticipated Paralympic season.
