Dolce Vita on Lake Garda: The life of the ski queen today

It's been ten years since three-time Olympic champion and world champion Maria Höfl-Riesch hung up her ski boots. The now 39-year-old prefers to spend her retirement traveling. She is particularly fond of one place: Gardone Riviera on the west coast of Lake Garda.

June 11, 2024

From: sportsnews

For several years now, the German all-rounder and her husband Marcus have been enjoying the summer in their “second home”, as Höfl-Riesch describes in a ARD-Report revealed. About three weeks ago she rang in the tennis season there on her social media channels. She is still very active in sports, but she takes things much more calmly.

The ARD The ski icon said that she sometimes enjoys an ice cream in the summer and stops by in the winter when the weather is too bad. During her active time, her training and nutrition plan did not allow this.

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In February 2023, Höfl-Riesch let her fans share in her stay at the lake via Instagram. "After almost half a year's break from Italy, we are finally back in our second home - the beautiful Lake Garda," wrote the former ski racer. A photo of a cozy lunch at the Agriturismo Rosa Selvatica rounded off the insight and brought in numerous enthusiastic comments. Many of her followers thanked her for the restaurant tip and shared their own love of Italy.

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The connection to Lake Garda is no coincidence: Since retiring from her career in 2014, Höfl-Riesch has set up a holiday home there, where she spends the summer months and pursues various sports. “Skiing is still very present. “I still do it very often and with a lot of passion in the winter,” she said in an interview with Bunte. She also remains active off the slopes: she advises amateur athletes and passes on her extensive experience to young talents as a trainer.

Peace and tradition in Gardone

Today, Maria Höfl-Riesch enjoys the freedom that life away from top-class sport offers her. What she particularly enjoys about Gardone is the isolation from the tourist crowds, such as in Sirmione. Quiet alleys, small shops and long, warm nights are part of everyday life in this still traditional town. And if she does meet a German tourist, Maria Höfl-Riesch might be recognized.

Whether skiing in Kitzbühel or romantic summer nights on Lake Garda - the former ski queen has learned to perfectly balance her passion and her lifestyle. She stays true to her roots and continues to be involved in charitable causes and is never really far away from skiing.