The 22-year-old won the stand-up slalom at the Paralympics in Vancouver in March, New Zealand's first gold medal in the Winter Games since Salt Lake City in 2002.

Hall, who has spina bifida, accepted his award via video from Winter Park, Colorado, where he is currently on holiday.

He shared the award with Jossi Wells, who is the overall world free ski champion.

Picking a winner was “one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make”, Snow Sports New Zealand boss Ross Palmer claimed.

“[Hall and Wells] each set very high goals for themselves, and they both were able to achieve those goals, so it’s fitting that they share this award for their achievements," he added.

"They each set very high goals for themselves, and they both were able to achieve those goals, so it's fitting that they share this award for their achievements."


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