San Diego, CA
Kate Delson has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting athletes to watch in Para snowboarding. Born with a congenital disability that left her missing most of the muscles in her right leg, including her calf, Delson did not know if she would ever be able to walk. Today, she confidently declares that she is better at snowboarding than walking, having found freedom and self-expression on the mountain that transformed her life.
Delson's journey to the U.S. Para Snowboard Team began in the snow-covered terrain of Mammoth Lakes, where her family's passion for winter sports took root. At age 3, she started skiing with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierras, but the sport proved challenging with her legs separated. She asked her family to let her try snowboarding, and at age 6, she finally got her chance. The difference was immediate for Delson—with both feet working together on the board, she discovered a sense of freedom in movement that changed her life’s trajectory. As a teenager attending Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley, Delson made a pivotal decision during the pandemic to move to Mammoth and join the Mammoth Snowboard Team, becoming the team’s first athlete with a physical disability. Her confidence grew, and within only a few weeks of joining the team, she skillfully landed her first 360 off a real jump— a trick she had been working on for more than a year. She competed in slopestyle events through the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association, placing third in her age group at the Junior Nationals at Copper Mountain, Colorado, as the only para-athlete in the competition.
Delson's transition to Para snowboarding proved to be a defining moment in her athletic career. She began competing with Team Utah and won her first Para snowboarding competition at a Europa Cup in Finland, launching a remarkable ascent through the world rankings. During the 2024-25 season, Delson captured two world cup victories—in Lenk, Switzerland, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado—and finished ranked second in the world. She competes in both banked slalom, a technical solo time-based race, and snowboard cross, where four athletes race head-to-head down a challenging course. At the 2025 Para Snowboard World Championships in Big White, Canada, Delson earned a silver medal in snowboard cross, showcasing her ability to perform on the sport's biggest stage.
Named to the 2025-26 U.S. Para Snowboard Team in May 2025, Delson, at age 20, became the youngest member of the roster.
For Delson, snowboarding represents more than athletic achievement—it embodies the creative freedom and sense of possibility that first drew her to the sport. Delson’s success in the sport and spot on the Paralympic roster are a testament to Delson’s confidence, determination, and her devotion to the sport. Whether clearing her mind riding in the park or experiencing the adrenaline rush of snowboard cross competition, Kate Delson embraces every moment on the mountain with gratitude, reminding herself of the remarkable reality that she gets to pursue snowboarding as a career.
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