Chapelco Winter Camp 2026: Collaboration helps Para Alpine pathways strengthen across the Americas

Last month, FIS supported the delivery of a Para Alpine Skiing development camp in Cerro Chapelco, Argentina. Bringing together athletes, coaches, and designated experts resulted in a coordinated effort to strengthen pathways across the Americas.  

Held from 22-27 August, in collaboration with the Argentine National Ski Association (NSA) and the Americas Paralympic Committee, the event focused on technical training, sports coaching, international exchange, and the direction of new talents.  

As part of the technical program, athletes were also introduced to medical classification, which sought to provide them with a foundational understanding of how they are assessed and grouped according to their functional abilities.  

Over the course of the week, participants were split into two groups to allow instructors to tailor sessions to individual levels, beginning with initialassessments before gradually increasing difficulty with the growth of confidence and control.  

The intensive format of the camp meant athletes were able to learn quickly, with notable improvements in stability, equipment handling, and their understanding of technical instructions. It culminated in an internal race, giving those in attendance the chance to apply their training in a controlled, competitive setting.  

“What is expected from this type of camp is for athletes to become increasingly independent and self-sufficient in their sport, and to begin to understand there is a training routine and a structured plan,” explained Spanish coach Jamie Hernández.  

“Three different levels were established according to their ability and experience of each participant. A total of 15 hours of training were delivered, divided between morning and afternoon sessions. The main focus was on developing skiing technique, with the training adapted to each athlete’s specific impairment.”  

For those taking part, varying in age and time spent on the snow, it was a welcome opportunity to test their abilities while also enhancing their arsenal of skills. For David Arturo Chávez, who hails from El Salvador, it was his first time practicing Alpine Skiing.  

“The learning experience I gained from the Winter Camp was absolutely amazing,” he told FIS. “This was a completely new and exciting experience for me. It was full of adrenaline, challenges, and unforgettable moments. 

“I really enjoyed the experience, and I would love to continue putting what I learned into practice, with the goal of becoming an elite athlete in this new sport and developing my skills in Para Alpine Skiing.”  

It is a sentiment shared by many of the athletes who participated in this camp, many of whom will remember their time as not only beneficial for the technical lessons learned, but equally for their lessons in community and humility.  

“I think what I learned at this camp will stay with me far beyond skiing,” said Argentine teenager Juana Albarracin. “I was able to improve as a skier and learn new skills, but most importantly, I take with me the value of the community we created with people from different places and with different life experiences.  

All things considered, particularly the testimony from those who attended, the Chapelco Winter Camp stands out as an example of what happens when NSAs and national Paralympic Committees work together.  

The strategic focus on sports classification, including dedicated educational sessions, provided essential knowledge for life beyond the week in which athletes may want to enter a high-performance pathway.

By bringing together representatives from multiple nations, and granting access to classification expertise, it reinforced the value of regional integration and highlighted how shared structures can accelerate development in emerging snow sports nations.  

“The Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) is proud to have supported the Chapelco Winter Camp 2026, an exceptional initiative driven and led by Argentine Paralympian, Enrique Plantey,” the organization wrote in a statement to FIS.  

“Providing education and access to classification is a fundamental step for athletes and coaches. Above all, this camp underscores one of our primary institutional goals: strengthening the collaborative relationships between National Ski Associations and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).  

“We firmly believe that fostering joint work and unified support between these organizations is essential to increasing athlete participation and continuing the robust growth of Para snow sports across our region.”  

Magdalena Kast (ARG), FIS Council Member and President of FASA – the Argentine Ski and Mountaineering Federation who also supported the camp – added: “This camp represents a fundamental step for the development of Para skiing not only in Argentina, but across the region.  

“At FASA, we reaffirm our commitment to the growth of adaptive snow sports, and we are confident that a closer relationship between NSAs and NPCs will be essential to increase participation and to grow across the Americas.”