about Para cross-country skiing

Para cross-country skiing has been part of the Paralympic winter sports programme since the first winter Games were held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1976. The competition is open to athletes with physical disabilities in the upper and lower limbs (standing) and lower limbs and trunk (sit-ski), as well as individuals with vision impairments.

Athletes compete in sprint (2.5km), 10km and 20km races or in a team relay using classic or free-style techniques..

Depending on the limits of activity due to disability, a competitor may use a sit-ski — a chair equipped with a ski. Athletes with vision impairments can compete in the race with a sighted guide.

Para cross-country skiing, along with Para biathlon, forms the discipline of Para Nordic skiing.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is the global governing body of Para cross country skiing.

Para cross-country skiing History

Para cross-country skiing appeared at the inaugural Örnsköldsvik 1976 Paralympic Winter Games with standing and vision impaired athletes competing. Men and women used the classic technique in all distances until skating was introduced at the Innsbruck 1984 Paralympic Winter Games. Since then, Para cross-country skiing events have been split into two separate races: classic and free technique. 

The new technique, however, was not officially used in a medal race until 1992 in Albertville, France.

Sitting events were introduced at the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games.

To date, Norway is the most successful nation in the sport while the most male and female athletes with the most victories are Canada’s Brian McKeever (16 gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal) and Norway’s Ragnhild Myklebust (16 gold medals) respectively.

Did you know ?

Oksana Masters, US Paralympic cycling gold medallist, also secured three gold medals in Para cross country skiing across two Paralympic Winter Games.

Para cross-country skiing at Milano Cortina 2026

Para cross-country skiing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 10-15 March at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. There will be 20 gold medals up for grabs.