Name: Keith Gabel
Sport: Snowboarding
Event(s): Snowboardcross, Banked Slalom
Classification: SB-LL2
Height: 5-10
DOB: 7/20/1984
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah
Hometown: Ogden, Utah
High School: Ben Lomond High School (Ogden, Utah) ‘04
Team/Club: Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club
Paralympic Experience
  • Three-time Paralympian (2014, 2018, 2022); two-time Paralympic medalist (1 silver, 1 bronze)
  • Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, 7th (snowboardcross, banked slalom)
  • Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, silver (snowboardcross), 6th (banked slalom)
  • Paralympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, bronze (snowboardcross)
World Championship Experience
  • Most recent: 2023 - snowboardcross team
  • Years of participation: 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023
  • Medals: 2 (1 gold, 1 silver)
  • Gold – 2019 (snowboardcross)
  • Silver - 2023 (snowboardcross team)
Personal: Gabel was introduced to snowboarding in 2000 and he quickly developed a love for the sport…In June 2005, Gabel was involved in an industrial accident that crushed his left foot…Following four blood transfusions, 26 hyperbaric treatments and a blood clot in his left lung, the doctors told Gabel that he would most likely watch his foot die…Due to complications and lack of technology at the time, he made the decision to amputate his leg just below the knee two weeks later…Gabel returned to his snowboard three months later…But it wasn’t until the 2010-11 season, his sixth season riding with an amputation, that he found out about competitive para snowboarding and began training with the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah…He progressed quickly through the international ranks, earning a spot on the 2014 Paralympic Team heading to Sochi, where he won a bronze medal in the sport’s Paralympic debut...Son of J. Keith Gabel and Theresa Martin...Has four siblings: Shanda, Brittany, Branden and Maranda...Married to Heather Short...Hobbies include hiking, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, cliff diving, camping, playing and writing music and hanging out with his dog...Passionate about cooking and baking...Hidden talents include juggling and mimicking various animal sounds...Self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie...Was a drummer in his high school bagpipe corps...Enjoys being involved in humanitarian projects and philanthropy work...Credits his father and step-mother as the most influential individuals in his life...Named his uncle Jim as his idol.