A guide to the sports, events and classifications of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics
Para Snowboarding
There are four different para snowboarding events, but — unlike the sports above — competition will be separated by sport class instead of category. The number of sport classes contested within each event varies by gender.
There are three separate sport classes for men: one for upper-limb impairments, and two for lower-limb impairments of varying degrees. Due to smaller field sizes, there is no upper-limb category for women, and all women with lower-limb impairments will compete together in the same class (SB-LL2).
In total, eight sets of medals will be awarded (six for men, two for women).
Events
- Men’s Banked Slalom
- Men’s Snowboard Cross
- Women’s Banked Slalom
- Women’s Snowboard Cross
Classifications
- SB-UL (Upper Limb)*
- SB-LL1 (Lower Limb 1)*
- SB-LL2 (Lower Limb 2)
*There only will be separate UL and LL1 competitions for the men. Women with the LL1 classification are permitted to “compete up” in the LL2 event.
How does classification work in para snowboarding?
Athletes in the UL class have an impairment to one or both arms. An upper-limb impairment will affect an athlete’s balance.
Athletes in one of the LL classes have an impairment to one or both legs, with athletes in the LL1 class having a more significant impairment than athletes in the LL2 class. For example, athletes with an above-the-knee amputation would be classified as LL1, while athletes with a below-the-knee amputation on one leg would be classified as LL2.
Unlike the sports above, para snowboarding does not use factored timing. Instead, athletes are separated into different classifications and compete against other athletes in that same class. This system allows athletes to race side-by-side on the same course while maintaining a relatively level playing field.
The caveat is that, due to smaller field sizes, the only women’s classification contested at these Paralympics will be LL2. Brenna Huckaby, who has an above-the-knee amputation and is classified as LL1, will compete in the LL2 event — a practice known as “competing up.”
