Snow Australia Marks Milestone Week for Para Snowsport

This week marked a significant milestone for Para Snowsports in Australia, with activity spanning elite competition and grassroots participation.

From hosting FIS-sanctioned Para-Alpine races as part of the National Championships and five athletes earning international classification, to launching the inaugural Finskos Cup and spring instalment of the Adaptive Festival, it’s been a landmark week for the Para snowsport community.

The National Championships brought together rising stars and legends of the sport for three days of competition across Downhill and Slalom racing. Among the field were Australia’s most decorated Winter Paralympian, Michael Milton, Paralympic stars Josh Hanlon and Sam Tait as well as 2026 Paralympic hopeful Georgia Gunev, supported by her sighted guide Ethan Jackson. In addition to marking the return of FIS racing to Australia, the event provided athletes with a valuable opportunity to earn FIS points on home terrain.

The Adaptive Festival, which begins today, welcomes both new and experienced participants with inclusive programming across Alpine, Snowboard, and, for the first time, Cross Country. Delivered in partnership with Disability Wintersport Australia and Paralympics Australia, the Festival provides a welcoming environment for adaptive skiers and snowboarders to connect, learn and experience Para Snowsports.

Adding to the momentum, the inaugural Finskos Cup will take place at Perisher on Saturday morning. This community fundraising race honours Para sport pioneer Ron Finneran OAM and supports Snow Australia’s Para Development Pathway.

More than just a race, the all-inclusive Finskos Cup is a celebration of community spirit, bringing together Para High Performance and Emerging Talent Program (ETP) athletes, recreational skiers and supporters in a shared effort to raise vital funds for Para Snowsport development.

You don’t have to compete to support. Tax-deductible donations to the Para Development Pathway are still open and help ensure more Australians can access inclusive opportunities on snow.