Para Development Winter Wrap-Up

Although the 2024 season finished with a string of poor weather, it was filled to the brim with good times so it's timely to look back on the Snow Australia Para Development winter we have just experienced.

It was a season of exceptional growth, talent development and community engagement within our para snowsports programs. This year, the program saw significant development across both Alpine and Snowboard disciplines, with a particular focus on emerging talent and athlete progression through key initiatives and camps.

Five talented athletes (four snowboarders and one skier) took part in our Emerging Talent Program (ETP), showing incredible promise in their respective disciplines. These athletes dedicated themselves to skill development, race technique and tactical understanding. Their commitment to the program resulted in consistent improvements in performance, setting a strong foundation for future success at higher levels of competition.

The strength and conditioning program was a cornerstone of athlete development, ensuring participants were physically-prepared for the season’s demands. The sessions - based out of the new National Snowsports Training Centre in Jindabyne - were designed to enhance overall athleticism, strength, balance and injury prevention, with tailored programs for each athlete’s specific needs. 

Several of our athletes participated in the Snow Australia Futures programs, which provided them with additional high-performance exposure. These sessions offered opportunities to work with national coaches, participate in race simulations, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest levels. For many, this was a crucial step in their development pathway.

This season also saw multiple athletes undergo classification with Snow Australia. For many, classification was a pivotal moment in their para wintersports journey. 

The Multiclass Interschool race events continued to be a highlight of the season for many with our athletes showcasing their skills and adaptability. These events provided valuable race experience and a sense of camaraderie across disciplines, fostering a strong, inclusive community within the sport.

The Snow Australia Para Alpine and Snowboard Development Camps were essential for skill refinement and tactical learning. These camps brought together athletes from across the country, allowing for cross-discipline learning and high-level coaching. Athletes benefited from race simulations, video analysis and individualised feedback from expert coaches and specialists in the sport. For the Snowboarders this culminated in a boardercross-style race alongside the Navy Defence Force team in Perisher featuring high performance Para athletes from Australia and the UK. 

A key feature of this season was the integration of high-performance athletes. These mentorship opportunities allowed athletes to learn from seasoned competitors, gaining insights into the mental and physical aspects of elite-level competition. The guidance provided by these the Snow Australia High Performance Para team athletes has been invaluable in shaping the next generation of para snow sport competitors.

Snow Australia was proud to support multiple Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) camps this season, including specialised camps for from Blind Sport NSW and the prosthetic company Ossur. These camps were essential for building a welcoming, supportive environment where athletes of all abilities could develop their skills, engage in the sport and experience the joys of snow sports.

Ideal weather conditions during the early part of the season allowed for consistent, high-quality training. Athletes benefited from long days on the mountain, honing their skills under optimal mid-winter conditions. The excellent snow base created a strong platform for progression, with athletes having ample opportunity to train on race-specific courses.

While the season also presented challenges, including periods of high winds and wet weather, these conditions served as an invaluable learning experience. Athletes learned to adapt to difficult weather, improving their technical skills and mental toughness in the face of adversity. The team’s ability to perform well under any condition was a testament to their dedication and perseverance.

As the season shifted into spring, Snow Australia’s Para Spring Camp provided athletes with extended training opportunities on snow. These camps helped refine technique and build on the progress made during the winter season, ensuring that athletes maintained momentum heading into the offseason.

All together the 2024 domestic winter season was a standout across the board, welcoming new athletes into the sport, supporting athletes within programs and providing opportunities for progression for all.

We wish all the many athletes well on their para pathway journey over the northern winter, and look forward seeing them all again next season for a bigger and better 2025 domestic season.