Paralympic Winter Games berths on the line at season opening Para nordic World Cups in Canmore

Cross country races December 3-7 followed by biathlon December 11-14

CANMORE, Alta. – It’s the primary selection event for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and Canada’s Para nordic skiers couldn’t be happier about competing on home snow for the season opening World Cup events with the Rocky Mountains soaring overhead.

While Canada’s top athletes know where they stand for the opening races set for the Canmore Nordic Centre, the competition will reveal who is positioned to secure those final roster spots.

The FIS Para cross country World Cup runs from December 3-7 while the IBU Para biathlon World Cup follows in the Alberta resort town from December 11-14.

The athletes say the rare home opener offers a meaningful advantage ranging from early season jet lag to racing on familiar trails.

‘’It’s definitely an advantage,’’ said Canadian star Natalie Wilkie of Salmon, Arm, B.C., a seven-time Paralympic medallist in the women’s standing category over the last two Games. ‘’Not having to travel anywhere is something I’m really looking forward to.’’

Canada’s head coach Brian McKeever said hosting the first event allows Canada to evaluate its full roster on equal footing.

‘’A World Cup at home means we get to ski on snow courses we know,’’ said McKeever, Canada’s most successful winter Paralympian of all time with 20 medals including 16 gold. ‘’The rest of the world is on jet lag, so the tables are turned.

‘’It also gives us a real opportunity to select our Paralympic team at a high-level event where everyone we’ve identified can join these races and be ranked.’’

Emma Archibald, a rising star on the team is vying for a first Paralympic Winter Games team berth.

‘’Looking back at my training this year has given me a sense of calmness,’’ said the 22-year-old University of Ottawa nursing student who calls Fall River, N.S. home. ‘’It’s exciting to go into these races and see where I am as of right now. It’s a chance to put everything I’ve learned to work.’’

The Canadian competitors set to race in Canmore announced by Nordiq Canada are:

Cross-Country:
Mark Arendz (PEI), Collin Cameron (ON), Brittany Hudak (SK), Natalie Wilkie (BC), Derek Zaplotisnky (AB), Emma Archibald (NS), Christina Picton (ON), Lyne-Marie Bilodeau (QC), Logan Lariviere (ON), Yves Bourque (QC), Jesse Bachinsky (ON), Charles Lecours (QC), Madison Mullin (ON), Leo Sammarelli (BC), Ethan Hess (BC), Angela Oakley (AB), Kara Douville (AB)

Biathlon:
Mark Arendz (PEI), Collin Cameron (ON), Brittany Hudak (SK), Natalie Wilkie (BC), Derek Zaplotisnky (AB), Christina Picton (ON), Madison Mullin (ON), Angela Oakley (AB)

On December 3, there will be an Opening Ceremony at the Canmore Civic Centre at 4 p.m. (all times local) followed by a Disability Celebration Week and Resource Fair.

The cross-country races start December 4 with the 10-kilometre followed by the sprints on December 6 and the mass start December 7. Race start time on all three days is 10 a.m. For the Para biathlon World Cup, the sprints are December 11, the sprint pursuit December 13 and the individual December 14.

On each day, competition is held in all three classes: men’s and women’s standing, sitting and visually impaired.

There are two other stops on the Para cross country World Cup circuit this season: January 16-17 in Finsterau, Germany and January 28 to February 1 in Jakuszyce, Poland. For Para biathlon the other two stops are January 5-11 in Notschrei, Germany and January 19-25 in Jakuszyce.

The Paralympic Winter Games are March 6-15 in Italy.

Let the Paralympic countdown begin!

Visit Nordiq Canada for the Canadian roster for the World Cup