The Last Minute Olympics Guide

It's just weeks away from the February 12 opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whether you miraculously manage to book last-minute accommodations or just head north for the day, you can still experience the Olympics, even without a ticket to a single competition. Attend medal ceremonies, take part in multicultural festivities and party at celebration sites, where you’ll find interactive exhibits, food sampling and huge big-screen televisions that will broadcast live, sold-out events, such as hockey games. Many events are free—meaning you may have enough Loonies (the affectionate name for the Canadian $1 coin) in your wallet to bring home an official souvenir. This is the closest Seattle may ever get to an Olympics in our lifetime, after all, so take our insider’s guide along to get the most out of it.


STILL SCRAMBLING FOR TICKETS?
You don’t have a ticket, competitions are all sold out, and you think you’re out of luck, eh? Take heart, you still have a chance. The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) has an official fan-to-fan resale site (vancouver2010.com), where tickets will be authenticated and guaranteed before being sold. Be wary of unauthorized, secondary markets such as Craigslist and eBay. VANOC is cracking down on scammers by invalidating tickets proven to have been scalped. This will target big offenders and not the average Joe, but don’t get caught in the middle and have your Olympic dreams taken away!


DRIVE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING TO THE WHISTLER GAMES
Getting across the border may be the biggest challenge for Seattleites who want to visit Vancouver during the Games. But there is another challenge for those who want to view the ski jumping or bobsled races at Whistler. Anyone traveling to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway (also known as Highway 99) between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the duration of the Games needs a pass to get through a checkpoint that will be located just beyond Squamish. Hotels are issuing a Traffic Checkpoint permit to their confirmed guests, which basically says, “I have a place to park my car.” No permit? Better stay home or take the bus. For bus info and other transportation details, go to whistlerblackcomb.com/olympics/.


PLAY: OLYMPIC CELEBRATION SITES

VANCOUVER
Live City Downtown
and Live City Yaletown
vancouver.ca
These two sites—at the former bus depot at Georgia and Beatty streets, and in David Lam Park, respectively—will be connected by pedestrian thoroughfares on Hamilton and Mainland streets. The Yaletown site is expected to be an especially spectacular location. Nightly at 11 p.m., local fire pumps will spray water from False Creek into the air, which will then be illuminated by a light show. Celebrations will continue at the Live City Downtown site during the Paralympic Winter Games.

Robson Square Plaza
and GE Plaza
gov.bc.ca
Once the Games begin, Robson Square Plaza (on Robson Street between Howe and Hornby) will host the International Media Centre and as well as Showcase B.C., which will offer exhibits highlighting British Columbia’s history, scenery and resources. State-of-the-art screens will broadcast live Olympic events, and the public can also take a spin on the new GE Plaza Ice Rink, which will open in November (free; skate rentals available).

RICHMOND
The O Zone
richmondozone.ca
This official site in the heart of Richmond (and a short walk from the Olympic Oval, the venue for speed skating competitions) will host nightly celebrations, an outdoor ice rink (free; skate rentals available) and the Ice Gate, which will showcase giant sheets of ice painted by renowned artist Gordon Halloran, creator of the ice art for the 2006 Torino Olympics. In the Games Dome, try a virtual-reality bobsled simulator that will replicate the sights, sounds, touch and even smells of racing an Olympic bobsled.

WHISTLER
Whistler Live!
whistler.ca
whistler.com/olympics
With restaurants, boutiques, hotels and spas lining Whistler’s pedestrian-only Village Stroll, it’s the place to browse for winter sports gear and souvenirs, to indulge in the lively après-ski scene or relax with a soothing massage. And from 8 a.m. to midnight for the duration of the Games, six linked sites located along this pedestrian thoroughfare will feature music and dance performances, exhibits, interactive celebrations and large video screens that broadcast live competitions. All events will be free.

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Other Seattle mag Olympics storeis
The Last Minute Olympics Guide
Olympics Guide
Scoop: Seattle's Popular Curling Club
Road Trip: Spokane
Olympic Sneak Peek: Whistler Venues
Olympic Sneak Peek: Vancouver Venues
Olympic Sneak Peek: Where to Spot the Athletes
Gold Medal Getaways: Vancouver

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ARTS: CULTURAL FESTIVITIES
With a world of nations gathering in one spot, the Olympics are a good time to soak up some culture

Aboriginal Pavilion
fourhostfirstnations.com
The B.C. area’s native cultures will be celebrated at the Aboriginal Pavilion, open February 12–28 on the plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in downtown Vancouver. Sponsored by the Four Host First Nations (FHFN), the hope is that the pavilion will be home to the “world’s biggest potlatch” and cultural exchange. The 8,000-square-foot space will house a Coast Salish longhouse, a trading post and multiple stages for entertainment. A 65-foot inflatable, translucent sphere will sit atop the pavilion and display multimedia presentations of artwork, photos and even live video broadcasts of performances happening inside, such as traditional dancing, drumming and singing.

Cultural Olympiad
Tickets: Vancouver2010.com
The Cultural Olympiad, which kicked off January 22 and continues through March 2, celebrates arts communities from around the world. Taking place at more than 50 venues in Vancouver and along the Sea to Sky Highway (the route between Vancouver and Whistler), more than 600 free and ticketed events are planned. A preeminent artist from each Olympic country has been invited to participate, meaning that the world’s best athletes aren’t the only “best” you’ll find in town.


SLEEP: CREATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS
During the Olympic Games, local residents often open their doors to visitors (visit the official sites at tourismvancouver.com and 2010destinationplanner.com, or commercial sites such as vancouverolympicaccommodations.com). But as a port city, Vancouver has come up with another lodging option: a cruise ship. The luxury Norwegian Star, operated by Newwest, will be docked in north Vancouver February 10–March 2, with housing for as many as 2,240 guests at a time, who will enjoy all the usual cruise ship amenities (including meals)—except, of course, an actual cruise (though pre- and post-Games cruise options are available; for information, go to vancouver2010cruiseship.com). At press time, rooms were still available—starting at around $585/person. To check on Whistler accommodations, call the central reservation line: 888.403.4727. 

CELEBRATE: OLYMPIC VICTORY MEDAL CEREMONIES VANCOUVER AND WHISTLER
If you miss the competitions, you can still see the Olympians by attending the nightly victory ceremonies (February 13–27) at BC Place Stadium (for Vancouver-area competitions) and Whistler’s Medals Plaza (for Whistler competitions), where athletes will be awarded the bronze, silver and gold medals for the day. The victory celebration continues into the night with concerts, and at BC Stadium, fireworks as well. For the Vancouver location, U.S. residents can purchase tickets ($22) in advance at cosport.com, or at the door. In Whistler, tickets will be free (check whistler.ca for more information).

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Other Seattle mag Olympics storeis
The Last Minute Olympics Guide
Olympics Guide
Scoop: Seattle's Popular Curling Club
Road Trip: Spokane
Olympic Sneak Peek: Whistler Venues
Olympic Sneak Peek: Vancouver Venues
Olympic Sneak Peek: Where to Spot the Athletes
Gold Medal Getaways: Vancouver