Paralympian Lauren Woolstencroft won five gold medals in various alpine events! Check out her favourite places in Vancouver:

About Lauren

Age: 28

Sport: Para-Alpine Skiing

Home Turf: North Vancouver, B.C.

When not carrying the dreams of a nation, what do you do?

“I have a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Victoria, and I work full-time for BC Hydro.”

If you weren’t an Olympian, what would you be?

“I’ve always been involved in sport in some capacity, so I’d like to think if I wasn’t skiing I’d be doing something like cycling. I also used to horseback ride back in my Calgary days.”

How long have you been skiing?

“Since the age of four.”

Who’s your Olympic hero?

“I never really had sports heroes. I grew up with a disability, and the Paralympics weren’t really big then, so I never really looked up to athletes in that way. Now, I guess I’d say I’m a big Lance Armstrong fan.”

Lauren Woolstencroft's Picks

Best Coffee

“I’m not a huge breakfast person, but I am a coffee person, so I’m a big Caffé Artigiano fan.”

Best Dinner

“Umberto’s. It’s a Vancouver institution. I try not to order the same thing, because it’s all so good.”

Secret Spot

“The hiking and mountain biking trails in Lynn Valley on the North Shore. It’s such a huge area, and you can go for a while without seeing anyone. It’s 15 minutes from my house, yet you’re right in the wilderness.”

Best View

“The lookout at Cypress Mountain on a sunny day, winter or summer. You can see the whole city.”

Want to know more? Check out what other Whistler and Vancouver spots our Olympic athletes recommend