Over the years IPC Alpine Skiing has implemented a range of development activities to increase the number of people practicing the sport.

In July and August of 2006, the International Federation organised its first development camp in Deux Alpes resort in the French Alps with the aim of giving providing an opportunity for young athletes to develop their technical skiing skills, whilst learning about training and competition in an inspiring and motivating atmosphere.

The camp, which involved 55 participants from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, France, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland, was structured into three activity areas – Alpine Skiing training on the snow, physical training and education.

It was not just targeted at athletes aged 11 to 17 years, but also guides and coaches who were amongst the attendees.

All participants in the camp improved their skiing abilities and learned what it takes to become a Paralympic athlete.

One of the most recent camps was organised by the Agitos Foundation and held in Spain in March 2012. It involved five young athletes with different impairments from Italy and Spain and seven co-ordinators from Azerbaijan, Croatia, Serbia and Turkey.

The aim of it was to train participants to develop and implement Paralympic youth winter sports programmes in their countries, with the ultimate goal of increasing participation in the Paralympic Winter Games.

It was funded by Charity and Sport, EU’s Youth in Action Programme and involved partners Play & Train and Freewhite.

Outcomes of the course included participants been given leadership tools and knowledge about equipment so they offer skiing for people with an impairment in their own countries. Participants also developed partnerships with NPCs and networked with each other whilst young athletes learned and experienced the four Paralympic Values, improved in their sport and gained leadership skills.

Starting in January 2013, IPC Alpine Skiing began to partner with a number of organisations including Play & Train for the European Para Snow Sport Youth Circuit. It provides a unique opportunity as it relates to the integrated development of four core sectors of interest to the European Union: Sport, Youth, Disability and Education.

For more information please visit the IPC European Para Snow Sport Youth Circuit page.