From the sun to the ski slopes: Para alpine skier Oscar Burnham's summer training

For Para alpine skier Oscar Burnham, the road to winter success does not begin on snow-covered slopes—it starts in the summer sun. Each June, Burnham is already deep into training, riding waves and cycling through the mountains with his teammates on the French national team.

That is exactly how he kicked off his preparation for the 2025–2026 season—and his pursuit of a first Paralympic medal at Milano Cortina 2026.

“I prefer training – cycling or hiking up the mountains – because I like to be outdoors. That’s my favourite part about training in the summer,” Burnham shared.

“I try to work hard in the summer so I feel ready and fit when I go on skis. And if I’m fit to be on skis, I know that I can push myself to the limit without risking myself getting hurt or injured.”

Training in the heat

After a few weeks of rest, Burnham’s summer training began in earnest in early June. His weekly routine includes at least three gym sessions and two endurance workouts—cycling, hiking, or running under the summer sun.

For the past three years, the French team also has added a unique twist to their training: surfing. During a weeklong camp on France’s southern coast, athletes hit the gym in the morning and the waves in the afternoon—sometimes twice a day.

The team will travel to Chile in August to start training on skis.

“In surfing, there’s a lot of still gliding on water and you have to have balance. Everybody (on the team) surfs and it’s quite funny to see how we surf differently – we’re not big surfers but we have a lot of fun,” said Burnham.

“It’s very fun and it’s good for team building. We spend a lot of time together. It’s good because we’re a good team and we are very competitive. It’s a competition in everything we do, also in cycling and surfing.”

That competitive spirit is especially strong between Burnham and teammate Arthur Bauchet, a three-time Paralympic champion. 

“Arthur is one of my best friends, but if we are doing a competition, it doesn’t seem at all like we’re friends because we forget our friendship,” Burnham said with a laugh. 

Skiing in the sky

Burnham, who made his Paralympic debut at Beijing 2022, says summer is also a time to explore new sports. A few years ago, he took up paragliding—taught by his roommate, a certified instructor.

From his home in Savoie, nestled in the French Alps, Burnham hikes up nearby peaks with a paraglider in his backpack. Once at the summit, he takes off and glides back down—sometimes landing right in his garden.

“I can walk up and I can really push myself,” he explained. “Going down hill can be a bit painful for the knees, so it’s less painful to just fly down. I use it a lot as a mode of transportation.”

Though skiing and paragliding are different, Burnham sees a shared thrill.

“It’s like sliding in skiing, but in the air. It’s a feeling of control – in skiing you control your skis; in paragliding you control your machine – that’s what I like a lot,” he said.

“When I was little, I liked skiing because I thought I was a pilot of a motorcycle when I’m on my skis. I decided where I go and it was my decision. In paragliding, it’s the same thing – it’s not difficult.”

Discovering Paralympic sport

Growing up in the ski resort town of Tignes, skiing has always been part of Burnham’s life. His mother, a ski instructor, passed on her passion, and Burnham began his career as an instructor after competing internationally.

But in July 2018, he had an accident while climbing an electric pole with a friend. He broke his femur and suffered burns, ultimately losing his left hand.

In the hospital, he searched ‘Paralympic Games skiing’ and watched videos of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where French superstar Marie Bochet won four gold medals in Para alpine skiing. 

He recalls telling his mother that “maybe one day I can do the Paralympics” and he returned to the slopes with the goal of representing France at Beijing 2022. 

Burnham became teammates with Bochet, who later became like an older sister to him. The four-time Paralympian showed him how to wear a ski boot with one hand and also how to compete under pressure. 

“The French team is like a second family to me because we spend so much time together. They are my friends, and I also like training because I am with the team,” Burnham said.

“I love (Para alpine skiing) competition, but also the speed and liberty you have of being on skis. I also like the feeling of being in control,” he said. 

The journey to the Paralympic start gate

Burnham made his Paralympic debut at Beijing 2022, where he competed in five events in the standing category. He said that just being there was a triumph, and he was impressed at everything he saw.

“I was so happy to be there to compete at the Paralympics four years after my accident,” he said. 

“When you have an accident like that, you suffer physically but you also bring a lot of people into your problems like family and friends. They suffer almost as much as you do, if not more, to see you in a bad state.

“So I was really happy to show my mum and my dad, my family and my friends that what I did (in 2018) was a big mistake, but I managed to do something good about it.”

Now, Burnham is laser-focused on Milano Cortina 2026, where he hopes to win his first Paralympic medal—and do it in front of his family and friends.

After four World Cup podiums in the 2024–2025 season, he is leaving nothing to chance. Alongside intense training, he is fine-tuning his nutrition and recovery routines.

“This time in Milano Cortina, I really, really want to go in battle for a medal. I have good memories from my first Paralympics but my second Games can only be better because my family can be there.”

Looking ahead, Burnham hopes more people will take up Para alpine skiing after watching Milano Cortina 2026 and may even compete at French Alps 2030, which will take place in Burnham’s home country.

“I hope they find it fun and say they want to have a go at the Paralympics too, because it’s nice. Other than sports and competition, I think it brings a lot of hope to people.”

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