U.S. Para Nordic Ski Team Added to U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The team had previously been managed by the USOPC since 2014
Posted On: April 7, 2026 By :Coming off a dominant performance at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, the U.S. Para Nordic Ski Team has a new home with U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
The U.S. Para Nordic Ski Team, which has been managed by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee since 2014, will be integrated into U.S. Ski & Snowboard and be part of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, which already includes alpine, cross country, free ski, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, nordic combined, Para alpine and ski jumping. U.S. Ski & Snowboard also oversees the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team and the Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team. into its program which will now have 11 teams as part of its portfolio. The para nordic team had been managed by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee since 2014
Team USA won 10 gold medals in nordic skiing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games, the most ever for the U.S. in that sport. The Para Nordic Team includes both men and women athletes with physical disabilities competing in cross country skiing and biathlon.
Perhaps the best-known member of the team is Oksana Masters, the most decorated winter Paralympian ever who also competes in the Summer Paralympic Games. All told Masters has won 24 Paralympic medals including 13 gold and won four such medals in Italy.
“Milano Cortina 2026 was an incredible moment for U.S. Paralympic nordic skiers, who came together to deliver 15 medals and show the strength and depth of both the athletes and the program,” said Masters. “As we look ahead to joining U.S. Ski & Snowboard, it’s exciting to think about the future and the added visibility and resources that can come with it. We’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished to date, and we’re motivated to carry that legacy forward as we begin a new chapter with U.S. Ski & Snowboard.”
Among Masters’ teammates are eight-time Paralympic medalist Jake Adicoff and seven-time medalist Sydney Peterson.
“Bringing Para nordic under the U.S. Ski & Snowboard umbrella is incredibly exciting for our organization,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “As the best Para nordic team in the world, they will be fully integrated into our 11-team structure and supported year-round by our world-class staff. We look forward to working together to support their goals and continue building upon their success on the world stage, and we thank the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee for their partnership in this transition.”
“The integration of the U.S. Para Nordic Team into U.S. Ski & Snowboard marks an important moment for these great athletes and our respective organizations, but also for the future of winter Paralympic sport in the United States,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “The success at Milano Cortina 2026 proved what is possible when world-class athletes are supported over many years in their efforts to achieve greatness. We believe this transition will build on that collective commitment to supporting Paralympic sport with the resources, structure, and ambition that these athletes deserve.”
U.S. Ski & Snowboard has expanded its organization in recent years, adding Para snowboard and Para alpine in 2024. However, not all of its efforts at growth have succeeded. Late last year the NGB abandoned its quest to add U.S. Surfing to its portfolio.
The Para Nordic Team will now have access to the same commercial umbrella as the other U.S. Ski & Snowboard national teams, and will have resources that include better coaching, travel, and marketing support.
Posted in: 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Adaptive Sports, Latest News, National Governing Body, Olympic Sports, Paralympic Sports, Winter Sports