Mike

Minor

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Upper Limb Classification

• Son of Mike and Kim Minor

• Has one sister, Mallory

• Born without a right forearm, he wore a prosthetic until he was 5

• Competed in adaptive sports from a young age, including skiing, wrestling, skateboarding, soccer, four-wheeling and mixed martial arts

• Took up snowboarding at age seven and credits Paralympic snowboarder Andrew Hale as his idol

• Worked as a lift attendant on Copper Mountain before competing in Adaptive Action Sports

• Made his international world cup debut in 2015

• Named USOC Athlete of the Month in November 2016

• Enjoys skateboarding 

Biographical Information

Mike Minor is a distinguished American Paralympic snowboarder known for his achievements in adaptive sports. He was born without a right forearm, he explored various adaptive sports during his youth, like skiing, wrestling, skateboarding, soccer, four-wheeling and mixed martial arts. At age seven, Minor began snowboarding after being inspired by fellow snowboarders in his hometown. He and his father created homemade apparatuses like a halfpipe on wheels to further practice Mike’s skills. Minor worked as a lift attendant at Copper Mountain, where his talent was recognized.

Minor made his international debut in 2015, where he finished first in the bank slalom. At the 2017 World Para Snowboard Championships in Big White, Canada, he secured gold in snowboard cross and silver in banked slalom. He also earned the Triple Crystal Globe that season. 

At the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Minor clinched gold in the men's banked slalom SB-UL and bronze in the snowboard cross. His victory in banked slalom was particularly dramatic, as he overcame a crash in the snowboard cross to secure the gold.

Minor is committed to inspiring others. He serves as an Athlete Mentor for Classroom Champions, partnering with students and teachers in underserved communities to promote active lifestyles. In his leisure time, he enjoys skateboarding and spending time with his dogs.

Paralympic Experience

• 2-time Paralympian; 2-time Paralympic medalist (1 gold, 1 bronze)
  • Paralympic Games Beijing 2022, 8th (Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men), 11th (Snowboard Cross - Upper Limb Impaired - Men)
  • Paralympic Games Pyeongchang 2018, gold (Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men), bronze (Snowboard Cross - Upper Limb Impaired - Men)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2023 – gold (Dual Banked Slalom - Team - Men), silver (Dual Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men), 4th (Snowboard Cross - Upper Limb Impaired - Men)
• Years of participation: Dual Banked Slalom - Team - Men 2023; Dual Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men 2023; Snowboard Cross - Upper Limb Impaired - Men 2017, 2023; Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men 2017, 2022
• Medals: 4 (2 gold, 2 silver)
  • Gold – 2023 (Dual Banked Slalom - Team - Men); 2017 (Snowboard Cross - Upper Limb Impaired - Men)
  • Silver – 2023 (Dual Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men); 2017 (Banked Slalom - Upper Limb Impaired - Men)