Fresh off a historic medal haul at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, the U.S. Para Nordic Ski Team — which encompasses cross-country skiing and biathlon — is entering a new era of institutional support, after U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced Tuesday that the squad will now be managed under the national governing body’s umbrella. The integration marks the latest step in a broader push to expand Para sport programming within U.S. Ski & Snowboard, following the return of Paralympic Alpine skiing and snowboard squads to the organization’s oversight in 2023. Prior to this latest move, the U.S. Para Nordic Team had operated under direct USOPC management since 2014. The timing of the shift could not be more favorable, coming just weeks after the team turned in a dominant performance in Italy, walking away with 10 gold medals from the Games. Standout para athletes Oksana Masters and Jake Adicoff led the charge, each securing four gold medals individually, including a shared victory in the mixed relay event. For Masters, the win cemented her status as one of the most decorated Paralympians in U.S. history, bringing her total medal count across Summer and Winter Games to an extraordinary 24. Under the new structure, Para Nordic athletes will gain access to a full suite of support resources previously unavailable to the squad under USOPC management. These benefits include entry to U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s state-of-the-art Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah, as well as dedicated full-time coaching, travel funding, advanced sports science support, registered dietitian services, marketing guidance, and career development resources for athletes. Masters, who has led the team’s success for more than a decade, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, framing the shift as a critical new chapter for the program. “It’s exciting to think about the future and the added visibility and resources that can come with it,” Masters said in an official statement announcing the move. “We’re proud of everything we accomplished to date, and we’re motivated to carry that legacy forward as we begin a new chapter with U.S. Ski & Snowboard.” Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, echoed that optimism, noting that the organization is eager to leverage its existing infrastructure to help the Para Nordic team build on its already impressive track record of global success. “We look forward to working together to support their goals and continue building upon their success on the world stage,” Goldschmidt said. The integration comes as U.S. Paralympic winter sports continue to gain institutional investment and mainstream attention, following record-breaking medal performances at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games that have highlighted the talent and dedication of the nation’s para athlete community.
US Para Nordic ski team has new home with US SKI & Snowboard fresh off winning 10 golds in Italy
