Training with Purpose: Lauren Weibert's Journey to the 2027 Winter Deaflympics

As winter approaches, one name that continues to inspire in the Deaf snowboarding community is Lauren Weibert. A gold medalist at the previous Winter Deaflympics, Lauren is now training and preparing for Team USA tryouts with hopes of earning a spot to compete at the upcoming 2027 Winter Deaflympics in Innsbruck, Austria (January 15–24, 2027).

Lauren’s passion for snowboarding is as strong as ever. While she hasn’t officially registered for this season’s competitions just yet—after all, it’s only September—her calendar is quickly filling up. She has entered the lottery for the Legendary Banked Slalom (LBS), one of snowboarding’s most iconic and storied races. Competing in LBS has been a lifelong dream for her, and she’s keeping her fingers crossed for a chance to line up at the starting gate.

Beyond LBS, Lauren has already set her sights on the Bucket Banked Slalom in April and the Neverland Banked Slalom in May, both of which will open registration later this season. She also plans to keep an eye out for local rail jams, giving her the chance to showcase her creativity and technical skills in terrain park riding.

On the Snow Every Day

To maximize her training opportunities, Lauren invests in a Copper Mountain season pass and the Frisco Rail Yard pass, which features a tow rope park perfect for repetitive trick practice. This combination ensures she’ll be riding consistently all winter long, mixing mountain freeride sessions with focused terrain park training. She’s already been active in the off-season too, taking part in a Ladies’ Ride Day at the Copper Hike Park in July, which she described as “sooo sick” and full of great energy.

Eyes on Innsbruck

Lauren’s ultimate goal is to qualify for Team USA and represent at the Deaflympics, bringing her best to the international stage. Her track record proves she has what it takes, but she remains grounded in the process—competing, training, and building toward peak performance in January 2027.

Follow Lauren’s Journey

Fans and supporters can keep up with Lauren’s competitions, training updates, and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram (@thedeafness), where she shares videos and photos from her snowboarding adventures. With her mix of discipline, passion, and community spirit, Lauren is not only chasing another medal—she’s also inspiring the next generation of Deaf athletes.

Join Team USA

The U.S. Deaf Ski & Snowboard Association (USDSSA) encourages all athletes with an interest in training and trying out for the national team to reach out. Contact teamdirector@udssa.org to learn more about opportunities to get involved.