What is Classification?

In order to safeguard the integrity of fair competition, all Para sports have a system in place which aims to ensure that winning is determined by sporting factors such as skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for able bodied athletes. This system is called classification.

Through classification, it is determined which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how those athletes are then grouped together for competition, in order to minimise the impact of those athletes’ impairments on sport performance.

Classification is sport-specific because an impairment affects the ability to perform in different sports to a different extent. As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria to compete in one sport, but may not meet the criteria in another sport. Having an impairment is thus not sufficient for an athlete to compete in Para sport.

The groupings of athletes by the degree of activity limitation resulting from their impairments are called ‘Sport Classes’. This, to a certain extent, is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight.

Classification across the Paralympic Movement is governed by the IPC Athlete Classification Code and International Standards. More information about the IPC Athlete Classification Code can be found here.

Are you interested in finding out more about how Classification works? The IPC have created a free, interactive online course for anyone interested to learn more about the most important features of Paralympic Classification, available here: IPC Classification Fundamentals

Classification in Para Alpine Skiing

Classification is carried out through a process called Athlete Evaluation. Athlete Evaluation involves the assessment of an Athletes Impairment(s) by a panel of Classifiers. To be eligible to compete in Para Alpine Skiing, Athletes must have an Underlying Health Condition leading to one of the following Eligible Impairment Types:
   • Impaired Muscle Power
   • Limb Deficiency
   • Leg Length Difference
   • Hypertonia
   • Ataxia
   • Athetosis
   • Impaired Passive Range of Movement
   • Vision Impairment

If the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment, they must also meet the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC), as set out in the Para Alpine Classification rules and regulations, to ensure that the Athlete's Impairment causes activity limitation. The MIC will be assessed during the Athlete Evaluation. After an Athlete has been designated as Eligible, the Classification Panel will assess which Sport Class the athlete will compete in.

Sport Classes in Para Alpine Skiing

Sport Classes LW 1-9: Standing Skiers

Lower limb impairments:
LW 1: Athletes have an impairment in both legs and ski with 2 skis and 2 poles or outriggers.
LW 2: Athletes have an impairment in one leg and ski with 1 ski and 2 poles or outriggers.
LW 3: Athletes have an impairment in both legs and ski with 2 skis and 2 poles or outriggers.
LW 4: Athletes have an impairment in one leg and ski with 2 skis and 2 poles.

Upper limb impairments:
LW 5/7: Athletes have an impairment in both arms and compete without ski poles.
LW 6/8: Athletes have an impairment in one arm and compete with one ski pole.

Combined upper and lower limb impairments:
LW 9: Athletes have an impairment that affects arm(s) and leg(s). Depending on the nature and degree of their activity limitation, they may compete with one or two skis and one pole.

Sport Classes LW 10-12: Sit-Skiers
LW 10-12: Athletes have an impairment affecting their legs / trunk and compete in a sit ski.

Sport Classes AS 1-4: Skiers with Vision Impairment
AS 1-4: Athletes vision is constricted to a diameter of less than seventy degrees and/or they have a static visual acuity of equal to LogMAR 0.6, or worse. A guide will ski in front of the athlete verbally giving directions down the course.

Disclaimer: The above is a brief introduction to Classification and is in no way legally binding. In case of any discrepancies, the Para Alpine Skiing Classification Rules and Regulations will take precedence. For any questions please contact: paraalpine@fis-ski.com.

Classifier Education

What is a Classifier?
A Classifier is a person authorised as an official and certified by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to evaluate Athletes as a member of a Classification Panel. Para Alpine Skiing Classifiers are medical professionals, all of whom have the competencies and qualifications relevant to conduct all, or specific parts, of Athlete Evaluation in accordance with the FIS Para Alpine Skiing Classification Rules and Regulations.

Are you interested in becoming a Classifier? The FIS Para Alpine Classifier Pathway is available here: Classifier Training and Certification Pathway.

History of Para Alpine Skiing

Para Alpine Skiing is practised worldwide and features seven events: downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, alpine combined, parallel  team events.

The sport was developed following the end of the Second World War, when injured ex-servicemen returned to the sport they loved. In 1948, the first Para Alpine Skiing courses were offered.

Competition accommodates male and female athletes with a physical impairment, such as spinal cord injury, coordination impairment, or amputation and vision impairment. Athletes compete in three categories depending on the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment, and a factors system allows athletes with different impairments to compete against each other.

Skiers with vision impairment are guided through the course by sighted guides using signals to indicate the course to follow. Some athletes use equipment that is adapted to their needs including single ski, sit-ski or orthopaedic aids.

Since July 2022, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) acts as the International Federation for the sport following the transfer of governance of Para Snow Sports from the International Paralympic Committee.

There are five events  on the Paralympic Games programme: downhill, super-G, alpine combined, giant slalom, and slalom. Downhill and super-G are commonly referred to as speed disciplines while giant slalom and slalom as technical disciplines.

Competition History

The first documented Championships for skiers with impairment were held in Badgastein, Austria, in 1948 with 17 athletes taking part. Since 1950, events have been held around the world. The introduction of sit-ski allowed people in wheelchairs (paraplegics and double above-the-knee amputees) to begin to ski and race.

The first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Örnsköldsvik in Sweden in 1976 and featured two alpine disciplines - slalom and giant slalom.

Sit-skiing was introduced as a demonstration sport at the Innsbruck 1984 Paralympics and became a medal event at the Nagano 1998 Games.