Paralympian
World Champion
Top-10 Ranked Biathlete in the World
Paralympian
World Champion
Top-10 Ranked Biathlete in the World

Dani Aravich

Dani Aravich is a 3x Paralympian and World Champion who has represented Team USA in both Summer and Winter Paralympic sports. Known as the “Biathlon Bandit,” Dani is a leader in adaptive sport and disability advocacy, balancing elite competition with media, consulting, and storytelling initiatives that expand visibility and opportunity for para athletes worldwide.

At a Glance

Sport
Para Nordic Skiing and Biathlon
Hometown
Boise, Idaho
Current Residence
Bozeman, Montana

About

  • Born without her left hand and forearm, she played sports from a young age against non-disabled peers
  • One of the few Team USA athletes to compete in both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games
  • Known as the “Biathlon Bandit”
  • Competed as a D1 cross-country and track & field athlete at Butler University before injuries led her to step away from the sport and focus on her studies
  • Worked her dream job at the Utah Jazz before learning about the Paralympics, and pivoted to train and participate in Para Track &Field
  • While training for Tokyo 2020, the Paralympic Nordic Skiing Coach noticed her potential in endurance sportsand recruited her for Nordic skiing and Biathlon competitions
  • Sports media professional and disability consultant who has worked with the USOPC, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and other major brands
  • Passionate advocate for equity in women’s sports and adaptive athletics
  • When not training for Nordic skiing, she is in the back country and running trail races

Accolades

World Champion

2023: 4 x 2.5km Relay Mixed Relay

3x Paralympian

○ 2026: Para Nordic Skiing and Biathlon ○ 2022: Para Nordic Skiing and Biathlon ○ 2020: Para Track and Field

Co-founder of Culxtured

Co-founded Culxtured in 2024 with 3 fellow Paralympians; a sports media collective that is revolutionizing the way the world views para sport.

In the News