Para snowboard star and super mum Lisa Bunschotten’s Paralympic journey

Dutch Para snowboarder Lisa Bunschoten says Para sport has changed her life for the better because it gave her a purpose and something to aim for. After giving birth in 2024, she made her competitive return last season, embracing her journey as both an athlete and mother.

“It is really cool to have a goal in sport where you can get better and better. It gave me something to work towards, that is really good to have in your life,” the two-time Paralympic medallist said.

Returning to the slopes

Less than five months after giving birth to her daughter, Bunschoten was back in competition. Balancing sport and motherhood was a challenge, but she and her partner, fellow Para snowboarder Chris Vos, worked together to make it possible.

“I gave birth in July 2024, but getting back from that is a big challenge,” she said. “It is hard to combine that with competing, but we can bring her grandparents so she can be with us.”

“We didn’t see it as impossible, we see it as a big challenge. It is, but it is also amazing and I love doing it this way."

Her determination paid off. At this year’s FIS Snowboard World Championships, she won silver in the women’s banked slalom LL2 event in Big White, Canada. 

“In the 2023-24 season I did one race in November in the beginning. After that I wasn’t racing but I was still snowboarding until I was 26 weeks pregnant, but after that the season was over. In the summer I gave birth so not a lot of training was happening then.

“In November 2024, I started racing again and that went well. I’ve seen what I can do and I am looking forward to Milano Cortina and getting back into it.”

From Sochi 2014 to Beijing 2022

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics approaching, Bunschoten has been reflecting on her first Winter Games experience at Sochi 2014 as an 18-year-old, and says the sport and the Paralympic Movement have developed a lot in the 12 years since.

“Sochi was really, really cool. I was still new into the sport; I was excited to be there and have the sport at the biggest stage it could be.

“Everything was new; being at the Games, competing at such a big stage. That was all very exciting.

“It was a big achievement for the sport and to be part of that was really cool. It is also really cool to see where it was back then and is now, and how it is growing. The athletes are getting better, the courses are getting better. It is so cool to see.”

PyeongChang 2018 brought a more focused approach, and that turned out to be her most successful Games to date.

“I was also really excited but it wasn’t new anymore. I was focussed on doing really well there and it was cool, I got two medals there. That was my best Games, looking back.”

Beijing 2022 was unique because of the pandemic. “I still really enjoyed being there and it was really cool to see how the sport has grown from Korea to Beijing. We had snowboard cross and slalom; in Beijing we raced with four and we had a really good course.

“It was really cool to see where the sport had gone, I am really excited to see the changes that have been made again in the last four years. I am really looking forward to seeing what I can do there.”

Looking ahead to Milano Cortina 2026

Like many athletes, Bunschoten is looking forward to Milano Cortina. After two Paralympic Winter Games in Asia—PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022—she is hoping for a chance to share the experience with her loved ones.

“It is close to home, in a beautiful area. I’m looking forward to the whole vibe there, no COVID, just having people around.

“My expectations for Milano Cortina are that sport will have grown even more, the level will have gone up again. We have more athletes from the start, so that’s really cool. I’m expecting really good competitions and I’m looking forward to that.”

Bunschoten hopes to inspire and encourage others to get involved in the Paralympic Movement.

“Go out, find something you like. Try everything you think you like and I’m sure you will find something. You may need to adjust it a little bit, but there is something for everyone and it is amazing to still be able to do sports and have fun.”

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet.

Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org