Maple Grove Snowboarder Bound for Deaflympics

Whether he’s catching air on a flip, speeding downhill, or filming one of his signature “Rope Tow Chats” for social media, Kole Krier is a man at home in the cold.

But for the 23-year-old Maple Grove athlete, snowboarding isn’t just a seasonal hobby — it’s the foundation of his world.

“I wouldn’t say it’s just a passion, it’s my lifestyle for sure,” Krier said. “I’ve built my whole life with friends and community around this sport.”

Since picking up a board in 2021, Krier’s progression has been meteoric. After only five years on the snow, he is preparing to take his talents to the global stage. Next winter, Krier will represent the United States in the Deaflympics, an international multi-sport event for elite deaf athletes.

Breaking Communication Barriers

Krier was born with profound hearing loss in both ears. While he navigates the world with the help of a cochlear implant received as a toddler, he still faces significant communication hurdles.

“I was born deaf, basically,” Krier explained, pointing to his processor. “If I were to take this off, I cannot hear at all.”

The implant works by stimulating the nerves in his cochlea, sending messages to his brain through a transmitter.

Even with the technology, Krier relies heavily on lip-reading.

However, he has never allowed these barriers to sideline him. Before finding his place on the slopes, Krier was a standout athlete on the Maple Grove High School baseball team.

Kole Krier shows off his cochlear implant device, which allows him to hear.

A Mission for Family

As Krier prepares for the biggest competition of his life, he carries a heavy heart. His biggest supporter, his father, passed away last year after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Krier says his father was the one who pushed him to never let his hearing loss limit his ambitions.

“He said, if snowboarding is one of those dreams and what you want to do, you’ve got to keep going,” Krier recalled. “He’s going to be on my mind for sure. I’m trying to win this event for him, for my family, and for everybody here that has helped me through this.”

The Deaflympics are scheduled to take place from Jan. 14-24 in Austria.

Krier says he will compete in two snowboarding: slopestyle and big air events.

His goal is simple, yet ambitious: he wants to be the best deaf snowboarder in the world.

Beyond the medals, Krier hopes his journey inspires others within the deaf community to ignore the skeptics and pursue their passions.

“If you are passionate about it, you should go and chase that dream, no matter what,” he said.

Krier is currently raising funds to help offset the significant travel and equipment costs associated with competing in Austria. Supporters can find more information and donation links at his GoFundMe page.

Maple Grove