Exploring Parasnowsports at Come-and-Try days

As our current Parasnowsports stars mark 500 days to go until Milano-Cortina today, last weekend potential stars of the future were able to try their have at two two incredible "Try Para Sports" days in Sydney and Brisbane.

Each event attracted around 60 enthusiastic attendees eager to try their hand at Skiing, Snowboarding and Nordic disciplines while learning about adaptive equipment. The day was packed with engaging discussions and plenty of hands-on experiences.

In Sydney, Mali Lovell, a passionate skier and Australian para-athletics athlete who recently won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics, was on hand to share her inspiring journey. She, along with other athletes fresh from the Paris Games, brought their medals and shared their experiences, motivating the new participants.

In Brisbane, attendees had a special opportunity to meet Snow Australia Para High Performance athlete Georgia Gunew. She shared her journey in the sport, offering valuable insights and inspiration to the aspiring athletes.

Heather Batten, a snowsport classifier and guide from Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA), contributed by sharing her knowledge and experiences in adaptive snowsports. Richard Scheurer, also from DWA, discussed the organisation’s services and encouraged attendees to get involved.

A standout feature at both events was the immersive VR headset experience, allowing participants to experience a simulate ski run. Putting themselves in the POV of Josh Hanlon and Georgia Gunew with her guide Ethan Jackson, participants experienced the thrill of navigating one of the Para team's favourite training runs, Zali’s in Perisher Resort. This virtual experience was a huge hit, with many praising it as a fun and engaging way to picture themselves on the slopes.

These events were made possible through the support of Paralympics Australia and Disability Sports Australia, whose contributions were key to their success.

Thanks to all the participants who came along and made these events a success — we can’t wait to see you on the snow!

Upcoming Events: 

Melbourne: 27th October
Canberra: 2nd November

Don’t miss your chance to experience adaptive snowsports firsthand!