Emma Archibald to make debut as Nova Scotia’s first Paralympic cross-country skier

Emma Archibald, a 22-year-old University of Ottawa nursing student from Fall River, will be the first Paralympian from Nova Scotia to compete in cross-country skiing next month. 

Archibald, who was born with amniotic band syndrome, is missing fingers on both hands, and skis without poles in the LW5/7 category alongside athletes who use one, two, or no poles.  

Archibald spoke with The Signal from an altitude camp in Canmore, Alta., about her debut at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.  

You started your skiing career after attending a Paralympic search camp in 2019. What was that like? 

It was a very cool time for me because I just came back from a volunteer trip in Ecuador. And I think it kind of just, I’d say I was a bit more of a shy kid at times, and I think that opportunity kind of allowed me to say ‘yes’ to doing the Paralympic search and seeing what that kind of led to. 

At that time, I was 16, in high school, and I think I was just trying to blend in a little bit. So, looking back, I’m glad I had the confidence to do that. I’m glad I was open to doing that, and I’m glad I gave it my best shot. 

What made you choose cross-country skiing? 

Cross-country skiing just seemed like an endurance sport that I’d like to try. It was new, and the Nova Scotia team was very excited for me to try that. 

And then that same year, actually, the first time I was on skis was out at a development camp in Canmore, Alta., where the national coach saw me for the first time. 

What was your reaction when you got nominated for the Paralympic team? What was that experience like? 

It didn’t really hit me until the official reveal. I unofficially knew back in November, but I couldn’t really tell anyone.  

Even just being in the moment (at the reveal), at the Canadian Sports Institute with everyone there, and then getting some of the Lululemon kit, I think I had a smile on my face the whole day. I was very hyperactive and just super, super stoked. 

And now it’s kind of back to the process and getting ready for the Games and stuff, but it was really, really fun to take the moment to really appreciate how far I’ve come. 

How has your training changed from preparing for national and international competitions to preparing for the Paralympics? 

There’s been a lot of buildup in the past few years, like getting to compete at World Cups. But I think this year in particular, I think it’s just kind of fine-tuning, and we were lucky enough to race at the venue last year for the test event. 

So we’re taking some of the parts of the course and breaking it down and trying to put it into our training. Like for me, there’s this super steep hill and it’s pretty long, so it’s just like ‘how do I be the most efficient? How do I know what technique (to use)?’ 

And now I’m just really trying to avoid sicknesses, sticking to small groups, sticking with the team. I’m not trying to make big jumps in this period because I think all the work’s been done. 

I know you’re on a team with cross-country para-skiers who have been to the Games before. Have they given you any advice for your first Games? 

Yeah. Mark (Arendz)’s just insanely wise. I think anything he does is something to aspire to. Same with Brit (Brittany Hudak) and Nat (Natalie Wilkie). They know what to expect going into these games. I think it’ll be a good mix of new athletes, new excitement, and just the calm presence of some of the older athletes who have done it before. 

Archibald will compete in a sprint, 10k, 20k, and a relay race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 to 20.