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Hidden Champions – The Brand-New FIS Original Para Snow Sports Podcast Launches

Jan 19, 2026·Inside FIS
Hidden Champions - The Best Athletes You've Never Heard Of
Hidden Champions - The Best Athletes You've Never Heard Of

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is proud to announce the launch of Hidden Champions – The Best Athletes You’ve Never Heard Of, a brand-new original podcast shining a spotlight on the world’s most extraordinary Para snow sports athletes.

Hosted by two-time Paralympian Dani Aravich (USA, Para Cross-Country), the weekly series takes listeners deep inside the journeys, motivations, and triumphs of the top Para Alpine, Snowboard and Cross-Country athletes as they prepare for the road to Milano Cortina 2026. With candid conversations and exclusive behind-the-scenes perspectives, Hidden Champions reveals what it truly takes to excel at the highest level in Para sport.

New episodes drop every week from now through 6 March, available on all major podcast platforms.

Episode 1: Adam Hall – A Legend of Para Alpine Skiing

The debut episode features none other than Adam Hall (NZL, Para Alpine Skiing), a five-time Paralympian whose career has spanned more than two decades, yielding World Championship titles, a coveted Crystal Globe and podium success across three Paralympic Games.

In a wide-ranging and intimate conversation, Hall opens up about:

  • The relentless dedication and sacrifice required to stay at the top of the sport

  • Balancing elite performance with family life

  • Moving from snowboarding to skiing in his early years

  • The complexities of classification and the factor system that define competition in Para sport

  • The evolution of public understanding and respect for Para athletes worldwide

Listeners will also hear a heartfelt message from Hall’s wife, Elitsa Hall—a Paralympian herself—offering a rare glimpse into the personal support network that fuels his remarkable career.

Whether you’re a passionate winter sports fan or discovering the Para snow sports world for the first time, this episode is a powerful, inspiring introduction to the athletes whose talent and resilience make our sport extraordinary.

Listen & Subscribe

Hidden Champions is available on:

Subscribe now to make sure you never miss a new episode!

Hidden Champions is a FIS original production, created by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation in partnership with Maniac Studios.