How does para snowboard work?
B · Beginner · Classes and equipment · 1 of 3Para snowboard is FIS snowboard racing for riders with a lower-limb or upper-limb impairment. The events are snowboard cross, banked slalom, dual banked slalom and giant slalom, plus team events. Riders race within their sport class, LL1, LL2 or UL, with no time factors. The Paralympics, World Championships and World Cup are level 1.
How it works
- Rules body: FIS.
- Events: snowboard cross, banked slalom, dual banked slalom, giant slalom.
- Teams: two-rider events.
- Classes: SB-LL1, SB-LL2, SB-UL.
- Racing: within the class.
- Factors: none.
- Level 1: Paralympics, Worlds, World Cup.
- Base rules: FIS snowboard, with para changes.
The glossary has the para snowboard, the competition levels, the snowboard cross, the banked slalom, the giant slalom and the dual banked slalom.
Tricky cases
Are times factored as in para alpine?
No. Riders race within their class.
Can classes race together?
Yes, where FIS names the event.
Is there a vision impaired class?
No. Vision impairment is not eligible.
Do sit-skiers take part?
No. All riders stand on a board.
Why the rule exists
Grouping riders by class, rather than factoring times, keeps head-to-head heats possible.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Classes | Raced separately | R 304.2.1 |
| Combined events | Set by FIS | R 304.2.1 |
| Vision | Not eligible | C App 2 |
From the rule book
FIS, International Competition Rules, Para Snowboard (July 2026), articles 301, 304.2 and 1400. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: FIS ICR Para Snowboard and Para Snowboard Classification Rules.