British Columbia Destinations

Explore 2010 Olympic hosts Vancouver and Whistler

By Melody Archer

Photos by courtesy of Tourism BC - Dannielle Hayes - Randy Lincks

With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games fast approaching, the Canadian province of British Columbia is preparing to host the world. Vancouver and Whistler are in the spotlight. While the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, February 12 to 28, 2010, will be held in downtown Vancouver at B.C. Place, all of the awards ceremonies will take place at Whistler Village.

Vancouver will host the hockey, curling, figure skating, short track and speed skating events with Richmond, B.C. also hosting several of the speed skating events. Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver will be the place to see freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. Alpine skiing, biathalon, cross-country skiing, bobsledding and luge will all take place in Whistler.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city named by the Economist Intelligence Unit as one of the world’s “most liveable cities.”

The ski slopes and trails of Whistler are world-renowned and will be the site of many of the 2010 Winter Olympic events.

As the Olympic preparations go forward and the excitement mounts, more visitors than usual are already being drawn to Vancouver and Whistler.

Vancouver’s attractions start with its spectacular location between mountains and ocean. Rarely does it dip below zero degrees during the winter months, making it possible to enjoy the outdoor beauty of this city year round. It’s a city where you can ski in the morning and golf or sail in the afternoon.

The cultural diversity of Vancouver can be seen by visiting its various neighbourhoods.

Yaletown exhibits its style with trendsetting galleries, haute couture and furnishings boutiques. Dine in leading restaurants, check out galleries and innovative salons. You might come across a film set or two or perhaps catch a glimpse of a movie star as Vancouver is referred to as “Hollywood North.” Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood and a favourite with its cobblestone streets, galleries, antique and designer shops.

The Granville Island area is also a Vancouver highlight and is easy to access from the downtown area by taking one of the small passenger ferries that run at frequent intervals. Once there, visit the year-round indoor farmer’s market and artisan studios. Enjoy the buskers, live theatre or meander through the shops of The Net Loft.

Vancouver has a fast growing reputation in the area of music, theatre, art and filmmaking, drawing world-renowned talents to perform here. Whatever your musical tastes, there is something for everyone here from alternative, punk and metal to blues, jazz, classical and opera. As well, the Vancouver Art Gallery has a wonderful collection of paintings by Emily Carr.

For outdoor adventure, the rugged trails of the Coast Mountain Range or the North Shore mountains offer the potential hiker pristine views and an abundance of wildlife sightings. The main hiking areas in Vancouver are Cypress and Mount Seymour Provincial Parks. Cypress Provincial Park has a wheelchair accessible loop trail and Mount Seymour Provincial Park has trails for all abilities. As well, the seawall walk around Stanley Park is popular for its view of the city, forest and mountains.

Whistler Mountain got its name from the shrill mating call of the resident western hoary marmot. Initially the discovery of a small band of ski enthusiasts, it has developed into a four-season resort and one of the top skiing destinations in North America.

A two-hour drive from Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway, the community has a daily Whistler and Valley Express bus service year round.

Whistler can also be reached by taking the train. Travel on the Whistler Mountaineer and enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean, winding canyons and the coastal mountains. For more information on the train call toll-free 1-888-687-RAIL (7245).

Whistler has several award-winning restaurants.

The Times of London pronounced Araxi “unquestionably the best restaurant in Whistler.”

The ambience at The Bearfoot Bistro is unpretentious, but it is classified as a five-star restaurant and features a 20,000-bottle wine cellar and a Champagne Bar that serves some of the finest bubbly.

The Fifty Two 80 Bistro at the Four Seasons is named for the number of feet that can be skied on Blackcomb Mountain's vertical mile. It serves fresh seafood paired with award-winning wines.

Après is a French contemporary restaurant that offers a European “slow food” dining experience and is consistently rated one of Whistler’s top dining places by locals. The Rimrock Café offers casually elegant dining featuring wild game and seafood.

There are snowmobile tours on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains available through Canadian Snowmobile Adventures. Call toll-free 1-888-403-4727.

For a truly Canadian experience you can travel through snow-covered, forested back country in a horse-drawn sleigh, wrapped in a cozy blanket, sipping hot cocoa while viewing the mountains and the night-lit village below.

A great family adventure is Zip Trek Eco Tours. During this three-hour journey you’ll ride a series of cables and suspension bridges while enjoying breathtaking views of Fitzsimmons Creek and the forest valley between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Imagine yourself sailing 2,300 feet through the air, dropping over 20 stories from start to finish while reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour. Expert guides show you how to use specialized equipment. This activity is “fun, safe and perfect for the whole family.”

The myriad of other outdoor activities ranges from dogsledding and snowshoeing to touring the back country. For more information or to plan your trip call 1-800-Hello BC (435-5622) or visit the Tourism B.C. website, www.hellobc.com.