To celebrate the Winter Paralympic Games, Five-time Paralympic Champion Ellie Simmonds gave skiing a go at a National Lottery event at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.  

Scores of people with various disabilities took to the slopes during the Winter Paralympic Games, that are currently ongoing in Beijing, China, to try and out and continue various snowsports, which are all possible with the use of specialist kit and instructors from Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK).

Speaking at the event to showcase the incredible abilities of disabled participants, the retired Paralympic swimmer said: “Trying out today has been absolutely amazing and yeah it may be a new hobby for the future but I’m going to leave it to the Winter Paralympians doing it right now.” 

ParalympicsGB have won six medals at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in China, with Menna Fitzpatrick and her guide Gary Smith, winning a silver in the visually impaired Super-G and bronze in Super Combined skiing. Her two medals cemented her place as Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympian. Her teammate Millie Knight, with guide Brett Wild took a bronze in the visually impaired downhill. 

Neil Simpson and his brother and guide Andrew Smith won a gold for Great Britain in the super-G visually impaired skiing and the pair also gained bronze in the super combined event.   

Ollie Hill, in his first games won Britain’s first ever Paralympic snowboard medal with a bronze. 

The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games run until Sunday 13 March. 

The Paralympic Games is a time to celebrate remarkable sporting achievement and challenge perceptions of the inspirational abilities of disabled people.  

National Lottery players are one of the biggest supporters of ParalympicsGB winter athletes and raise more than £30 million each week for good causes, including grassroots and elite sport. If you want to learn more about how you can take part in disability sport, visit www.parasport.org.uk