The 2010 Winter Olympics return to North America on
February 12th, when the world of snow sport enthusiasts descend upon one of
North America's most beautiful cities, Vancouver,
British Columbia. Meanwhile, the more than 500,000 residents of this peninsular
city that separates the Strait of Georgia (locals simply call it the ‘ocean’)
from the Coast Mountains have endured six years of inconveniences. The Sea to
Sky Highway, the main road from the city to
Whistler, was widened to accommodate those traveling between the two primary
Games locations, while Cambie Street was outfitted with the aptly named
Canada Line, a new underground mass
transit line.
And while many cities have famously undergone huge facelifts in preparation for
hosting the Olympics, Vancouverites by their nature would rather party than
pout. Thus, construction frustrations and budgetary consternation will be
ancient history when the world marches in to
BC Place Stadium for the Opening
Night Ceremony. Van’s nightlife shimmies and shakes on any given Tuesday, so be
prepared for one massive street party throughout the entire Games from Richmond,
home of the gorgeous Speed Skating Oval (and over 350 Asian restaurants), to
Whistler Village, 65 miles away.
"Watching the Olympics in Vancouver Live on
Big Screens"
“Practically every neighborhood has a few great gathering spots,” says
native David Foot, Executive Chef of the recently arrived Shangri La Hotel’s
Market by Jean-Georges, which boasts a hanging patio with a great view. Chef
Foot frequents the Salt Tasting Room in
Gastown luridly titled Blood Alley and
also recommends its neighbour, The Irish Heather Gastropub, purveyor of over 250
scotch whiskies.
Blood Alley flows into Maple Tree Square, which in turn will flood with nightly
revellers spilling from bistros and bars like The Diamond, where Josh Pape, 2009
Bartender of the Year, claims home ice advantage. Get out of the cold after
leaving the Opening or Closing Ceremonies by reserving a table around the corner
at perennial favourites Chambar Belgian
Restaurant or Café Medina.
Chef Foot suggests that visitors use the Skytrain system, i.e. leave the
rental car unrented at the Airport. The new
Canada Line runs from
Vancouver Airport (YVR) to
Downtown Vancouver in under
30 minutes, with strategic stops in
Yaletown, home of the two huge screens displaying live action (ever watch
curling with a partisan crowd?), sponsorship tents and many of the 400 plus
cultural events that comprise the nine-week 2010 Cultural Olympiad. A
pedestrian-only corridor will link the sites.
“The Canada Line’s incredible!” says über chic
Opus Hotel General Manager
Nicholas Gandossi, affirming that you can get to YVR to Yaletown in 22 minutes.
Entrée Canada provides another easy entry to the Winter Games. The
Vancouver-based tour operator regularly provides custom Canadian vacation
itineraries for the global who’s-who in entertainment and business. True to
form, Entrée Canada has secured accommodations at Vancouver and Whistler’s
finest properties including the
Shangri La Hotel Vancouver,
Four Seasons Hotel and Fairmont hotels, as well as numerous private homes.
Whistler Village will also be in full celebration 65 miles away and one mile
above Vancouver. You can lift off for the sky via Blackcomb Aviation’s
helicopters or travel the stunning Sea to Sky Highway, though best to travel
after 6 p.m. says Vanessa Murphy from Tourism Whistler. Hard to imagine the
Village Stroll containing more joviality during the Games than on any random
winter’s eve. National venues like the Jamaica House (yes, the famous bobsled
team is back) host team meals and events but also invite guests to delve into
the host nation’s culture. |
