The first Winter Paralympic Games were held in 1976.
The inaugural Winter Paralympics took place in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, from 21 to 28 February 1976. The event followed the established Summer Paralympic movement and created an international winter competition for athletes with physical impairments.
The programme featured alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. Ice sledge racing was also demonstrated, but it was not part of the official medal programme. The Games brought together athletes from 16 countries and marked the beginning of the Winter Paralympic tradition.
The first Winter Paralympics were held separately from the Olympic Winter Games. Later, the Olympic and Paralympic winter events became more closely linked through shared host cities and organizing structures. Örnsköldsvik therefore has a unique place in Paralympic history as the first Winter Games host.