Para Snow Sports classification: Part 1 – Research and collaboration to ensure fair competition

Jul 04, 2025·Inside FIS

Learn about all aspects of the classification process across Para Alpine, Para Cross-Country and Para Snowboard in a dedicated series of six articles published ahead of the 2025-2026 season, culminating in the Paralympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina.

Underlining its commitment to the evolution of Para Snow Sports, FIS has invested in a series of research initiatives and strategic partnerships with leading academic institutions across all three disciplines.

Presented to the FIS Para Snow Sports Committee meeting in Vilamoura (POR) in May 2025, the progress of the classification research is the focus of this first editorial.

University of Queensland study aims to develop evidence-informed classification  

Classification is the system used to assess which athletes are eligible to compete in Para sports and how they are grouped together for competition, based on how their impairment affects their ability to perform in a specific sport. It is a fundamental component of Para Snow Sports and FIS is committed to ensuring its systems are as strong as possible to guarantee fair competition for all athletes.

In 2023, FIS conducted comprehensive stakeholder consultation on classification and received nearly 200 submissions from athletes, coaches, classifiers and administrators.

FIS then undertook a collaboration with researchers from the University of Queensland (AUS) to assist with the development of a program of research that would lead to practical, actionable outcomes for Para Snow Sports.

Following a review of the stakeholder input, a desktop review of the classification systems and an in-person review of processes, Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) was identified as a key research opportunity.

MIC refers to the minimum level of impairment an athlete must have to be eligible to compete in Para sports. It plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of competition.

The MIC will be refined through a Delphi Study where expert opinions are gathered with the intention of reaching consensus.

The study aims to develop evidence-informed criteria that is scientifically grounded, sport specific and aligned with International Paralympic Committee (IPC) standards. Completion is expected by May 2026, with proposed rule changes targeted for FIS Council approval in 2027. 

Professor Sean Tweedy and Associate Professor Emma Beckman of the University of Queensland are leading the project.

Our primary methodology will be a Delphi process, a widely recognized standard for arriving at a consensus position on complex issues. The Delphi process employs a series of structured questionnaires administered to experts in the sport – athletes, coaches, administrators and classifiers – which will lead to minimum impairment criteria that are supported by the best science available, have the support of recognized experts from within the sport and which are compliant with the 2025 IPC Classification Code.– Sean Tweedy, Professor at the University of Queensland

Validation studies of Vision Impairment classification to ensure fairness

Building on the recent introduction of the new Vision Impairment (VI) classification systems , FIS continues its research efforts in collaboration with the University of Waterloo (CAN) to validate the outcomes and effectiveness of this important step toward creating a sport-specific classification system.

The ongoing research analyzes data to ensure the VI classification system delivers the intended improvements in creating fair and balanced competition. It examines how different levels of vision impairment impact skiing performances, ensuring that athletes with similar functional vision are appropriately grouped together.

Classification is a big part of every athlete’s journey, which is why doing the best research we can is so important to me. The validation studies provide us with an opportunity to check that the initial rule changes are working as expected and make changes if needed to ensure the best possible competition environment for all athletes.– Dr. Kristine Dalton, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo

Sport-specific factor research underlines commitment to data-driven competition

Recognizing the unique demands of different Para Snow Sport disciplines, FIS launched a parallel research initiative focusing on sport-specific factors across the different sport classes in Para Alpine and Para Cross-Country skiing.

Factors are calculated percentages applied to the athletes' race times based on the impact of their impairment. They allow athletes from different sport classes, and different levels of impairment, to compete against each other in their category (sitting, standing, or vision impaired), ensuring fair competition where results reflect skill and performance rather than the degree of disability.

The research is being conducted in partnership with the Politehnica University of Bucharest, bringing together FIS's practical expertise with academic research capabilities.

The partnership runs until 2028 with the first phase focused on analyzing the impact of the changes introduced ahead of the 2024-2025 season. The university team will present simulations of different calculation models in light of which FIS - along with athletes, coaches and NSAs - will decide on the best course of action.

I am delighted that our collaboration with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation is moving into its next phase after the success of the 2023-2024 pilot work. Together, we will advance the science of factor calculation to ensure every athlete competes on an equitable footing, irrespective of sport class. This renewed, multi-year partnership underscores our shared commitment to fair, data-driven competition.– Laurențiu Neagu, Project Director from Politehnica University of Bucharest

Strategic vision with athletes at its heart

The classification research initiatives and partnerships are all interconnected and are part of a comprehensive strategy.

They demonstrate FIS’ commitment to Para Snow Sport and underline its dedication to ensuring athletes compete in a fair and equitable environment where the focus is on sporting excellence.

The second article will present the process of classification, how it works, what it involves, and the 10 steps to classification.