All 6 Sports at the 2026 Winter Paralympics Explained: From Para Alpine Skiing to Wheelchair Curling

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics feature six sports and 79 medal events, offering some of the most exciting and physically demanding competition in all of sport. Whether you are new to Paralympic winter sports or a seasoned follower, this guide breaks down every discipline so you can follow the action with confidence.

1. Para Alpine Skiing — 30 Medal Events

Para alpine skiing is the flagship sport of the Winter Paralympics, and with 30 medal events it makes up the largest share of the programme. Athletes race down mountain courses at remarkable speeds across five disciplines: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and super combined.

Competition is divided into three categories based on the athlete’s impairment:

• Standing — athletes ski upright, sometimes with modified equipment such as outriggers for balance
• Sitting — athletes use a sit-ski (mono-ski) mounted on a single ski, steering with short outriggers
• Visually impaired — athletes ski with a sighted guide who communicates directions through a headset

The courses in Cortina d’Ampezzo are among the most iconic in alpine skiing, and speeds in the downhill can exceed 100 kilometres per hour. For UK fans, this is where Menna Fitzpatrick and the British alpine team will be competing.

2. Para Biathlon — 18 Medal Events

Para biathlon combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle shooting. Athletes ski a set distance, then stop at a shooting range to fire at targets before continuing. Missed shots result in time penalties or extra distance.

The sport features three race distances — sprint, middle, and long — across standing, sitting, and visually impaired categories. Visually impaired athletes use a special rifle fitted with an acoustic targeting system: headphones emit a tone that changes pitch as the rifle approaches the target centre.

Events take place in Val di Fiemme, a venue with a long history of hosting world-class Nordic skiing competitions.

3. Para Cross-Country Skiing — 20 Medal Events

Para cross-country skiing is a test of pure endurance and technique. Athletes race over varied terrain using either the classic or free technique, depending on the event. The programme includes sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, and relay races.

Like biathlon, competition is split into standing, sitting, and visually impaired categories. Sitting athletes use a sit-ski with poles for propulsion, while visually impaired athletes ski with a guide. The relay event mixes impairment categories within each team, adding an extra tactical dimension.

The races in Val di Fiemme will unfold across rolling terrain surrounded by Alpine forests — a beautiful and challenging setting.

4. Para Ice Hockey — 1 Medal Event

Para ice hockey is the team sport of the Winter Paralympics and arguably the most physically intense. Players sit in specially designed sledges with two blades underneath and use two short sticks — one end for propelling the sledge across the ice, the other for shooting and passing the puck.

Eight nations compete in a single mixed-gender tournament at the PalaItalia arena in Milan. Games are fast, physical, and incredibly skilful. The United States are the dominant force, having won five of the last six Paralympic golds, but Canada and Norway are always dangerous challengers.

The gold medal match on 15 March — the final day of the Games — is traditionally one of the most thrilling events of the entire Paralympics.

5. Para Snowboard — 8 Medal Events

The newest winter Paralympic sport, Para snowboard was added to the programme at Sochi 2014 and has grown rapidly. Two disciplines feature at Milano Cortina:

• Snowboard Cross — athletes race head-to-head down a course featuring banked turns, jumps, and rollers
• Banked Slalom — a timed individual event through a course of banked turns

Athletes compete in the standing category only, with classifications based on the nature and extent of their impairment. The action is spectacular, with close racing and frequent lead changes making it one of the most watchable sports at the Games.

6. Wheelchair Curling — 2 Medal Events

Wheelchair curling follows similar rules to the able-bodied game but with some important differences. Athletes deliver stones from a stationary wheelchair, and sweeping is not permitted, making precision and weight even more critical. The stones are delivered using a special cue stick or by hand.

For the first time in Paralympic history, Milano Cortina 2026 features a mixed doubles event alongside the traditional mixed team competition. This is a major addition that has generated real excitement in the curling world.

Matches take place at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium and run throughout the Games, from 4 to 14 March. The mixed doubles final on 11 March will be the first time this particular medal has ever been awarded at a Paralympics.

How Are Athletes Classified?

Classification is fundamental to Paralympic sport. Each athlete is assessed and placed into a sport class based on the type and extent of their impairment. This ensures competition is fair, as athletes compete against others with similar functional abilities.

In most winter sports, the three broad categories are standing, sitting, and visually impaired. Within each category, a factored timing system may be used so that athletes with different levels of impairment can compete together, with their times adjusted according to their classification.

Where to Watch

All six sports are covered by Channel 4 in the UK, with more than 60 hours of live broadcasting plus daily highlights. Channel 4 Streaming offers free online access to all the action. With subtitles, audio description, and BSL translation available, the coverage is fully accessible.

The 2026 Winter Paralympics showcase some of the most talented and determined athletes on the planet. Understanding the sports is the first step to truly appreciating what they achieve — so pick your favourites, tune in, and enjoy the spectacle from Milano Cortina.