Paralympic alpine skiing is an adaptation of alpine skiing for athletes with a disability. The sport evolved from the efforts of disabled veterans in Germany and Austria during and after the Second World War. The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee Sports Committee. The primary equipment used includes outrigger skis, sit-skis, and mono-skis. Para-alpine skiing disciplines include the downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, super combined, and snowboard.
LW12 is a para-alpine and para-Nordic sit skiing sport class defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). An LW12 skier needs to meet a minimum of one of several conditions including a single below knee but above ankle amputation, monoplegia that exhibits similar to below knee amputation, legs of different length where there is at least a 7 centimetres difference, combined muscle strength in the lower extremities less than 71. For international competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. For sub-international competitions, classification is done by a national federation such as Alpine Canada. For para-alpine, this class is subdivided into two subclasses.: LW12.1 and LW12.2. A new sit-skier competitor with only national classification will compete as LW12.2 in international competitions until they have been internationally classified.
LW11 is a para-alpine and para-Nordic sit skiing sport class, a classification defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC for people with paralysis in the lower extremities and people with cerebral palsy that affects the lower half of the body. Outside of skiing, the competitor in this class is unable to walk. For international competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. For sub-international competitions, classification is done by a national federation such as Alpine Canada.
LW5/7 is a standing para-alpine and para-Nordic skiing classification for skiers with upper extremity issues in both limbs that may include double amputation of both arms and hands or dysmelia of the upper limbs. The class has three subclasses defined by the location of the disability on the upper extremities. International classification is done by IPC Alpine Skiing and IPC Nordic Skiing. On the national level, classification is handled by national sports federation such as Cross-Country Canada.
Melissa Perrine is a B2 classified visually impaired para-alpine skier from Australia. She has competed at the four Winter Paralympics from 2010 to 2022. At the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, she won three gold, one silver and one bronze medals. At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, she won two bronze medals.
Christian Geiger is an Australian Alpine skier, Paralympic alpine ski coach and sighted guide for visually impaired skiers. He was Jessica Gallagher's guide skier at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, winning a bronze medal. He represented Australia at the 2008 World Junior Alpine Skiing Championships and the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, but his career was cut short when he was severely injured in a traffic collision in 2009. He became Jessica Gallagher's sighted guide in 2013, and guided her to silver medals in women's slalom and giant slalom at the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Thredbo. Geiger was Melissa Perrine's guide and coach at the 2018 Winter Paralympics where she won two bronze medals.
Shona Brownlee MBE is a British skier and Royal Air Force Corporal. She won two medals at the 2021 World Para Snow Sports Championships, and competed at the 2022 Winter Paralympics.
The men's downhill competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 5 March 2022.
The Women's downhill competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 5 March 2022.
The women's super-G competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 6 March 2022.
The Men's super-G competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 6 March 2022.
The Women's super combined competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 7 March 2022.
The Men's super combined competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 7 March 2022.
The Men's giant slalom competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre on 10 March 2022.
The Women's 12.5 kilometres competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics took place on 11 March 2022.
The Women's slalom competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Beijing on 12 March 2022.
The women's 10 kilometre free competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the National Biathlon Center in Beijing on 12 March 2022.
The men's 12.5 kilometre free competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the National Biathlon Center in Beijing on 12 March 2022.
The men's slalom competition of the 2022 Winter Paralympics was held at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Beijing on 13 March 2022.
Chiara Mazzel is an Italian para-alpine skier, who won multiple events at the 2023 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships. She competed at the 2022 Winter Paralympics.
