If there's one person to ask about where to dine on and off piste, it's Olympian Lindsey Vonn. The first woman to win 82 World Cup races, three Olympic Winter Games medals, and eight world championships medals, Vonn knows a thing or two about life on the slopes. For more than two decades, Vonn traversed the globe conquering the slopes, but also discovering the people and places within. Therefore, it's hardly surprising that in her post-Olympics career, Vonn dedicates herself to empowering girls with her eponymous nonprofit, the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which provides scholarships and camp programs for underserved communities. And as Vonn continues to give back, she still harkens back to her competition days by crisscrossing the world's snowiest spots.
Below, Vonn breaks down her favorite haunts in Austria, Colorado, France, Italy and Switzerland and make sure to check out more insights from our Inspectors, chefs and celebrities on where to dine, sleep and more.
What are some of your favorite restaurants in Colorado?
Sweet Basil
Vail, Colorado, USA
Sweet Basil was always one of my favorite spots in Vail when I lived there. They always have organic and fresh food, which is hard to come by in mountain towns in the United States.
Cloud 9
Aspen, Colorado, USA
There’s not a lot of après-ski in the United States, but Cloud 9 is as close as it gets. It’s a great place to take off your boots and relax by the fire with a Lobos Tequila and hot bowl of chili. The only caveat is that you have to be a member or be invited by one.
When you're in Europe, where do you like to go?
El Brite di Larieto (Green Star)
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
This is an amazing farm to table restaurant that I have been to several times after a successful weekend of racing in Cortina. Fresh and delicious food in a warm and cozy farmhouse. It is a very special experience.
Hôtel Le Blizzard
Val D’Isere, France
This family-run hotel and restaurant offers traditional French food and an incredible wine selection. The beautiful hotel is a short walk to the tram, and they also have a brand-new chalet with luxurious apartments available for rent. I've stayed here many times, including during the World Cup and for a personal vacation. Their old, white golden retriever greets me every time and is a pillar in the town. The dog is even known to take the bus around town!
Paradiso
Saint Moritz, Switzerland
A perfectly chic après-ski spot in St. Moritz, with one of the best views in the world. It is somewhat hidden on the mountain, and reservations are hard to come by, but if you can get a seat and sip champagne on the deck with some fondue, you are a happy skier.
La Folie Douce Val d’Isere
Val D’Isere, France
THE BEST après-ski in the world… no contest. If you’re looking to party on the mountain, this is your place.
Le Panoramic
Tignes, France
You have to take a train through the mountain to get to this restaurant. You arrive at the very peak, and walk into the very appropriately named restaurant, Le Panoramic. I had bone marrow, melted with a torch in front of me. Not something I would normally do, but here it’s a specialty! Le Panoramic is a gem, literally at the top of the world.
Ikarus (Two Stars)
Salzburg, Austria
I spent quite a lot of time in Salzburg when I was training with Red Bull, and it was also a good place to stop when I was passing through to another race. Ikarus was another one of Dietrich Matteschitz’s endeavors and I loved it. I celebrated the end of many training camps with this dining experience.
The Stanglwirt
Going, Austria
The best Kaiserschmarren I’ve ever had in my life was at the Stanglwirt. It’s the perfect place to get back to nature, winning many awards for their sustainability and eco-friendly approach to the hotel.
Ristorante Alpes & La FuGa inside Hotel Bad Schörgau
Sarentino, Italy
This is inside another one of my favorite hotels, Hotel Bad Schörgau. Another hotel rooted in nature, hidden up in the hills of South Tyrol, it’s a great spot to eat and relax.
Address Book
Sweet Basil
193 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, Colorado 81657, USA
Cloud Nine
76 Boomerang Rd Top of the Cloud Nine Lift, Aspen, Colorado 81611, USA
El Brite di Larieto
Località Larieto, strada per Passo Tre Croci, Cortina d'Ampezzo, 32043, Italy
Le Blizzard hotel and restaurant 5 stars
Av. Olympique, 73150 Val-d'Isère, France
Paradiso
Via Engiadina, Saint Moritz, 7500, Switzerland
La Folie Douce Val d’Isere
Télécabine de, 73150 Val-d'Isère, France
Le Panoramic
Glacier de la Grande-Motte, Tignes, 73320, France
Ikarus
Wilhelm-Spazier-Straße 7a, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
Bio- und Wellnesshotel Stanglwirt
Kaiserweg 1, 6353 Going am Wilden Kaiser, Austria
Ristorante Alpes & La FuGa inside Hotel Bad Schörgau
via Ronco 24, Sarentino, 39058, Italy
Hero image: Apres Productions / Lindsey Vonn
