The skiing ‘Von Trapp’ family dominating the Paralympics

Skis? Tick. Boots? Tick. Guitars, accordion, harmonica? Triple tick.

It’s not an ordinary packing list for a Winter Paralympics, but the Aigners are no ordinary family.

They are superstars of their sport, with siblings Johannes and Veronika having won four golds, a silver and a bronze medal between them across the Para-alpine skiing events at the Milan-Cortina Games.

But the Austrians are also skiing’s own version of the Von Trapp family made globally famous by the Sound of Music, and are known for their impromptu concerts in the Paralympic Village.

“We are always ready for a party,” said Veronika.

The family are no stranger to taking their instruments on the road, previously doing so at World Championships and World Cups.

Veronika, 23, plays guitar, as does 20-year-old Johannes’ guide Nico Haberl. Johannes plays the accordion or harmonica, while Veronika’s stand-in guide Lilly Sammer is on vocals.

“I learned to play [accordion] through an online course,” Johannes told Austrian outlet Krone. “But I’m much more nervous playing it than skiing because I’m not that good at it yet.”

Johannes and Veronika are two of five Aigner children. While older siblings Irmgard and Elisabeth are not visually impaired, Veronika and twins Johannes and Barbara all have congenital cataracts, inherited from their mother Petra, which cause cloudy vision.

Four years ago in Beijing, Veronika – guided by Elisabeth – Johannes and Barbara won nine medals between them, including four golds.

Had the Aigners been a nation, they would have finished eighth in the medal table, higher than Norway, Japan and Italy.

While Barbara has since retired, Johannes and Veronika have continued to dominate the sport.

Johannes has won five consecutive overall Crystal Globes – World Cup titles – for his successes across all disciplines, while Veronika is a four-time world champion, with two titles apiece in the giant slalom and slalom.

She was due to be led by Elisabeth again at the 2026 Games, but Elisabeth suffered a torn cruciate ligament on the eve of the Paralympics.

Veronika described new guide Sammer as a “very good Plan B”, but added: “When the guide is a sibling, I wouldn’t say it’s better, but you know each other since birth; you know exactly what the other needs. That makes the team.

On Saturday Johannes and Veronika got the family medal campaign off to the perfect start with gold apiece in the downhill events.

That night, with Sunday a day off for the Para-alpine skiers, a party was thrown at the Team Austria house in Cortina, with Johannes playing his accordion on the dance floor.

In the super G on Monday Johannes won gold and Veronika took silver. The following day she won alpine combined gold and Johannes bronze.

Of Austria’s eight medals at these Games, they have won six, and both have two further opportunities in the giant slalom and slalom.

Veronika told BBC Sport it was “crazy” to be part of such a successful family, and that the celebrations will continue.