It is first Paralympic Development Programme for alpine skiing in the United States.

Kevin Jardine, head coach of the USOC's Paralympic Veterans Alpine Skiing Program, which includes injured military and veteran athletes, will work collaboratively with AVSC in leading this joint effort.

"I'm proud to be part of this first collaborative Paralympic ski racing program in the country," said Jardine.

Together, the USOC and AVSC will provide coaching and training support to military, veteran and non-veteran Paralympic athletes.

The team will also train alongside able-bodied athletes during the course of the season.

"The announcement of this partnership is due to outstanding leadership at AVSC," said Charlie Huebner, the chef of Paralympics at the USOC.

"Together our goals are to provide more opportunities for kids, injured service members and veterans to excel in skiing, hopefully culminating in podium finishes at future Paralympic Games.

"By partnering, we can increase our impact and reach, making the programme extremely cost efficient with a focus on excellence."

Mark Cole, the executive director of AVSC, is looking forward to the new programme.

"We're excited to welcome Kevin, the other talented staff and the outstanding athletes associated with Paralympic skiing here in Aspen to be part of this joint USOC/AVSC Paralympic Development Program," he said.

""We appreciate the fact that Houston and Challenge Aspen incubated the precursor to this programme for several years and we're honoured to be the ones entrusted to take it to the next level."

The programme is based in Aspen and athletes will compete in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) North American Cup races throughout the US and Canada.

"Challenge Aspen has offered recreational programmes for people with disabilities for over 15 years and we support and applaud this natural transition of Team AVSC and US Paralympics joining forces to create the first Paralympic Development Program for elite athletes with physical disabilities," said Executive Director of Challenge Aspen Houston Cowan.