Vacation in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics


The 21st Winter Olympics will be held February 12-28, 2010, in the host city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Most venues will be in Vancouver, with some alpine events being held at Cypress Mountain, 30 miles from Vancouver, and the Whistler/Blackcomb ski area 85 miles from the city. There will be bus transport from the city to both of the outlying mountain venues.

Rare for a winter Olympics host city to sit at sea level, Vancouver is a major seaport with a busy international harbor. Renowned for its stunning natural scenery, the city of Vancouver is located on a peninsula, although it is shielded from the Pacific Ocean by Vancouver Island. The North Shore Mountains rise in dramatic contrast to the ocean inlet, giving an awesome backdrop to the city.
Vancouver is busy setting records for a host city. It is the most populous city to ever hold the Winter Olympics at 3,000,000. It is the warmest ever for the Winter Olympics, with an average wintertime temperature of 40 degrees (F). The 2010 opening ceremony will be held indoors, a first for either the Winter or Summer games, at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Since that is a covered stadium, another first will be the lighting of the Olympic flame indoors. The flame must burn continually for the 15 days of the Olympic games, causing speculation on how the indoor environmental issues will be managed.

If you are thinking of traveling to the 2010 Winter Olympics, now is the time to start planning. Accommodations are going fast. An alternative to the hotels is renting a timeshare. At this writing there are still a number available during the Olympics both in Vancouver and at the Whistler/Blackcomb ski area. Timeshares are more economical than hotels, offer more living space, and come with kitchens to also help save in the cost of meals. Timeshares are a great alternative for families, as well as traveling groups.

For you skiers, this is a wonderful opportunity to visit British Columbia’s famed Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort. When the two resorts combined in 2002 it created the largest ski area in North America, 54% larger than second place Vail, Colorado. Although Vancouver sits at sea level, and Whistler Village is only 2, 214 feet above sea level (much lower than most avid skiers are used to!), the ski trails top out at 7,000 feet. The area gets an average of 400 inches of snowfall per year.

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with trendy shops, multi-ethnic restaurants including Indian, African, Greek and Thai, with world class chefs, and the largest urban park in the world, Stanley Park. If the Olympic games don’t keep you busy enough, the many things to do in Vancouver will, for a trip you’ll never forget.

Check the official web site for the 2010 Winter Olympics, for all important updates and information. See all Canada timeshare resorts.

(Photo: Inukshuk, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort (TourismBC/Randy Lincks)
2 Responses
  1. Anonymous Says:

    I just happened to stumble on this article - never thought of renting a timeshare for the Olympics, but now we'll be able to go (couldn't find accommodations until now).

  2. Alice Says:

    Wanted to recommend renting a timeshare at the WorldMark The Canadian in Vancouver - we loved it there. Great nearby shopping on Robson Street and in Gastown - feels very European.

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