Whistler Adaptive Sports Program proudly help realize the first-ever winter hybrid Invictus Games.

This February, Whistler hosted the first-ever Winter Sports Invictus Games, following Canada’s successful bid in 2022 for the prestigious multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick veterans and active-duty military personnel.

For the Whistler Adaptive team and our partners at Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Sport Legacies and the Paranordic Program Nordic Racers Ski Club, preparations to support the Games began over a year and a half earlier. What started as a spreadsheet of numbers, names, disabilities and countries transformed to become a heartfelt exchange of shared experiences, skill transfer and humanity.

Read on to discover just some of the many highlights, stories and legacy of the Games on our Whistler and adaptive sports global community.

VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEBRUARY 11: Athletes Alpine event during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler at Whistler Blackcomb on February 11, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025)

*WAS Nordic Lead coach Natalie O’Connor and the Paranordics/Nordic Racers recruited and trained over 40 volunteers to support the delivery of* *Invictus Games nordic competitions.*

*WAS Alpine and Nordic teams in Vancouver meet and equip* *Invictus Games competitors.*

Hit play on this video to watch WAS Head Coach Adria Flor describe the process of equipping the Invictus Alpine competitors ready for race day.

The Whistler Adaptive Jeff Harbers Adaptive Sports Centre at Olympic midstation on Whistler Mountain

A hub for adaptive snowsports…

WAS provided the use of the Jeff Harbers Adaptive Sports Centre ( our mid mountain base on Whistler) to facilitate the ongoing support of IG competitors and their equipment needs throughout the alpine days.

Thanks to our partners at Whistler Blackcomb Adaptive Snow School for supporting a whopping 230 Invictus Games competitors to train for and compete in Alpine events.

From race forerunners to a roving reporter, public meet and greeters and adaptive coaching, a huge thank you to all our amazing community volunteers!

Members of the public invited to try adaptive snowsports at the Invictus Village.

Whistler Adaptive coach introduces member of the public to adaptive snowsports at the invictus games whistler village.

The 2025 IGF Conversation

WAS Executive Director Sian Blyth joined Rick Hansen, Canadian track and field Paralympian, activist, philanthropist and Michelle Stilwell, politician and fellow Paralympian at part of the 2025 Invictus Games Foundation Conversation to explored the theme of accessibility in sport.

Watch the discussion in full here.

WAS Exec Director Sian Blyth speaking on an Invictus Games Foundation panel.

Lasting legacies

Sharing skills to support the development of adaptive sports internationally

Following the Invictus Games One Year to Go training event in February 2023, Team Ukraine and Team Canada enlisted Whistler Adaptive Sports Program and Whistler Blackcomb Adaptive Ski School to support their pre-competition training. Watch a video shared by Team Ukraine’s Head Snowboard Coach Pasha Dayneko as he applies techniques back on his home slope learnt from WAS Lead Coach Adria Flor.

Thanks to the legacy of the equipment given to WAS to support the Invictus Games, which was provided from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation to True Patriot Love and ultimately to Vancouver Whistler Games Corporation, a WAS athlete from 100 Mile House upgraded her WAS nordic sit ski loan when she participated in Skiing is Believing at Whistler Olympic Park.

Whistler Adaptive present Team Ukraine with a donation of two sit skis to take home. — *WAS exec director Sian and lead coach Adria present Team Ukraine with two sit skis to support a new adaptive ski program with in Ukraine.*