There are five Paralympic events at the winter Games. Governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Paralympics are held after the Olympic Games in the same host city, but are only open to athletes with physical disabilities.

The five Paralympic events held in the winter are:
  • Alpine Skiing (Downhill, Giant Slalom, Super G, Super Combined, Slalom)
  • Biathlon (Nordic skiing and shooting)
  • Cross-Country Skiing

Paralympic Event Explanations
Ice sled hockey, also known as sledge hockey, has players propel themselves on platforms with blades attached underneath. Two hockey sticks are used, and one end has a pick to allow a player to push himself forward across the ice, while the other end has a paddle for slapping the puck.

Alpine skiing takes place on a downward slope. Depending on their disability, skiers with disabilities may use a traditional pair of skis, only strap a ski to one foot, or use a monoski, which enables the skier to sit on a main ski and use outriggers for balance. There are five different categories. All have gates for navigating the course, but there are differences:
  • Downhill is the fastest, with fewer gates and less turns.
  • Giant Slalom is a technical event, with sharper turns.
  • Super G is a speed event like the downhill, but with more turns.
  • Super Combined puts together scores from one speed run and one slalom run that are completed just for this event.
  • Slalom is the most technical of all, with plenty of close gates for sharp turns.
The Paralympic biathlon combines cross-country (Nordic) skiing with target shooting. There are events for visually impaired athletes, sitting events for wheelchair users, and standing events.

Cross-country Paralympic skiers race over courses at short, middle and long distances from 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). Wheelchair users employ sit-skis, a seat with a pair of skis on the bottom, while blind or visually impaired skiers follow a guide. Skiers are sent off every 30 seconds in mens and womens events. The Nordic Percentage System handicaps skiers to equalize scores based on disability in each category.

Wheelchair Curling involves hurling or pushing a 42-pound granite oval across an expanse of ice to try and get in the middle of a bulls-eye target. It's a team sport similar to able-body curling, but without the use of sweepers to alter the stone's trajectory and speed. As in croquet, rules allow for knocking out the other team's stones, making wheelchair curling a game of offense and defense.