Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada will host the 21st Winter Olympic Games from February 12th to 28th, 2010. Followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12th to 21st, 2010. The events will take place in and around Vancouver, as well as in the resort town of Whistler, some 100km to the north. There are several characteristics of Vancouver which make it stand out from all previous Winter Olympic venues. Firstly, it will be the most populous city ever to host the Winter Olympics. Secondly, it will almost certainly be the warmest, with the average temperature in February of 4.8 degrees Celsius. Thirdly, some of the venues will be at, or near, sea level, something which is very rare for a Winter Olympic venue. Unusual though these characteristics may be, they are actually all good news for visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics as the large city means there are more local facilities and a wider range of hotels, it won’t be quite so cold and some of the venues aren’t so hard to get too!
The first thing to make sure of when planning your trip to the Olympics is that you have the correct documentation. All international visitors require a passport to obtain entry to the country. Visitors from most countries also need a visa, although if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, or Australia, you are exempt and do not require a visa. Vancouver International Airport has lots of flights to and from many airports. It may be possible to get a cheaper ticket by getting an indirect flight and having to change planes. This will take longer and will be more hassle, but if you are on a budget it may well be worth hunting around for the best deal. Unfortunately, as Canada is such a vast country the option of flying to another major international airport in Canada and then driving to Vancouver is not particularly appealing. Although you are more likely to be able to get a good value ticket to another Canadian airport around the time of the Olympics, you will be faced with a very long drive. For example, from the nearest major city, Calgary, it would take around 10-11 hours to reach Vancouver. One of our best suggestions is to look at flying into Seatac International Airport just south of Seattle,Washington in the United States. Especially because we’ve found some very appealing accommodations south of the border with direct public transportation available.
Once you are in Vancouver the fact that there is no spectator parking at any of the Olympic venues means that public transport is just about your only way to get around. Fortunately, as travel on the TransLink and BC Transit Systems (basically all public transport) is free if you have a valid ticket for an Olympic event on that day, there will be no additional cost for travelling around. This includes both travelling to Olympic venues and any other sightseeing you can squeeze into the day; so be sure to make the most of your free allowance. For those days when you don’t have tickets for events you will have to purchase travel tickets to get around. Alternatively, if you are planning a long stay, you can get a limited edition Olympic souvenir pass, which is valid for the entire month of February. Getting out to the Olympic venues at Whistler and Cypress Mountain is an altogether more expensive affair, which requires advanced preparation. You must purchase a ticket for the Olympic Bus Network, which will be valid for a return trip from a designated point in Vancouver to the destination that the event is at. You must book in advance and it is particularly wise to book before the 4th of January because all the fares double on this day!
As Vancouver and the surrounding area is a popular holiday destination even without the Olympics, there are many hotels to choose from at all budget levels. The key to getting the best deal is to book well in advance. If you are on a tight budget, bear in mind that the further afield you look from the Olympic venues the better deal you will find. This is probably the best value option, especially as public transport is free if you have Olympic tickets. As you are visiting during the Olympics it is obvious that you won’t get as much for your money in and around Vancouver because the demand will be so unusually high. However, there are other places you can stay where you will get a lot more from your accommodation than just a room to stay in during the Olympics.
Vancouver is very close to the border between the USA and Canada. This makes staying in the US a good option to look for cheap holidays, especially if you stay near a direct train route to Vancouver. Looking in Washington State north of Seattle there are particularly attractive accommodations on Camano Island. This is an ideal location, as it is within easy reach of the main train station at Stanwood, with direct trains to Vancouver. Camano Island’s Eagles Nest is a particularly fine example of luxury accommodation you would have to pay an absolute fortune for in Vancouver, but you could have at a reasonable price on Camano Island. It is perfect for a large family, or group, as it sleeps ten people and includes such luxuries as a hot-tub, games room, sports court, and multiple fireplaces, and wonderful views looking out over the water towards the snowcapped mountains to make your stay truly special. For anyone who wants to do more on their holiday than just go to the Olympics the area offers many activities, such as boating, kayaking, hiking, and golfing. In addition, it is well known for its wildlife and is very popular with bird-watchers. It really is an excellent place to stay, particularly if you want the Olympics to be something you visit whilst on holiday as opposed to the sole reason for your trip. It’s perfect if you would like to be able to spend some quality time relaxing away from the inevitable crowds in Vancouver.