The Vancouver 2010 Experience
News provided by
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter GamesFeb 07, 2010, 15:00 ET
Tips and information to enhance the Olympic spectator experience
Attending the Games is different than any other large-scale international sport or cultural event and to help spectators optimize their experience, a summary of key information and tips has been issued by the
This summary will assist ticketholders in determining what they should wear, what they should bring and how they will travel throughout Metro
Spectator tips for what to wear and what to bring to venues:
In the city:
1. Be sure to dress for cold and wet weather. Metro Vancouver has a
beautiful, temperate climate but it can be unpredictable. Be
prepared for changing conditions by wearing waterproof, layered
clothing that protects against wind and cold. You may be in a
chilly indoor environment for several hours, or required to wait
outside for up to an hour while we unload the venue from the
previous event.
2. Folding, collapsible umbrellas are permitted. Umbrellas that are
small enough to go under your seat (under 60 centimetres when
closed) will be permitted inside the venues. Rain ponchos will also
be available for sale at most venues.
In the mountains (Whistler and Cypress Mountain venues):
1. Remember to wear windproof, waterproof hats, scarves, gloves or
mittens. At mountain venues you may be outside for extended periods
of time with limited or no access to shelter.
2. Wear comfortable and well-insulated winter boots with good
traction. At mountain venues, you may be required to walk on
slippery, snow-covered slopes. Remember to wear waterproof,
appropriate shoes at city venues as well.
What to bring:
For all venues:
1. Carry the smallest bag possible. There is limited space within the
venue seating area and no bag check available. If you have a bag
smaller than a bread box (15 cm x 15 cm x 30 cm), or no bag at all,
you can use the public screening area express lane into the venue.
2. Do you have your tickets with you? Are they for the correct venue,
session, date, and time?
3. Have you checked our list of prohibited and restricted items? The
list is available in the spectator guide that was delivered with
your tickets, as well as on maps available at Vancouver 2010
information kiosks in downtown Vancouver, at tourism offices and
online at www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/.
4. Bring your Visa card or cash. Visa debit, Visa credit cards and
Canadian currency are the only accepted forms of payment at Olympic
venues. Visa is the only card accepted to obtain cash at automatic
teller machines (ATMs), as well.
In the mountain (Whistler and Cypress Mountain venues) specifically:
1. Blankets and stadium cushions are permitted inside the venue.
However, please ensure they do not include any metal components.
This would delay your security screening process and getting to
your seat as quickly as possible.
2. Water is permitted at all mountain venues. We want to ensure
spectators have access to potable water during competition. City
venues are equipped with water fountains, as well as concession
stands. Most mountain venues also have food and beverage services;
however you may also bring in plastic water bottles that have the
seal intact.
3. Snacks and beverages are permitted on the Olympic bus network. Due
to the length of time required to travel up to Whistler venues,
spectators are allowed to bring snacks and beverages on the bus
trip. Outside food and beverages, however, will not be allowed into
the venue.
How to get there:
For all venues:
1. Please remember there is no parking at any of the venues.
2. "Know Before You Go" and consider all the options for a travel
experience that is sensible and sustainable. Walking, cycling or
rideshare/car pooling will ensure you get to your destination,
while contributing to a greener, more sustainable Games. Visit
www.travelsmart2010.ca to explore all the possibilities!
3. Avoid missing your event: reserve your seat on the Olympic bus
network. The Olympic bus network is the only way for spectators to
be transported to Cypress Mountain and the fastest way to get to
Whistler venues from Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor.
After each competition, spectators will be transported back to
their originating departure point. Seats can be booked at
www.obn2010.com
4. An Olympic sport or ceremony event ticket is your ticket to ride.
The spectator ticket entitles you to ride all TransLink systems
around Metro Vancouver on the day of your event. Use SeaBus,
SkyTrain or extensive bus networks to access venues. For Sea to Sky
residents and guests, your ticket provides access to BC Transit
services on the day of your event. Proof of residency may be
required in Squamish for access to the system.
5. Plan to arrive early. Avoid missing a minute of the action! At city
venues, gates open two hours before the start of competition and
three hours ahead of time in the mountains. With a team of close to
200, including producers, announcers, DJs, and field talent, we
ensure each competition venue, from cross-country skiing to curling
and snowboarding, has its own unique feel based on the traditions
of the sport. Spectators will experience more than 900 roving
entertainers around the city and mountains.
6. Prepare for security screening. All spectators will be asked to
pass through a magnetometer (metal detector). Help expedite the
process by emptying pockets of all metal objects.
For the Cypress Mountain venue specifically:
1. All Cypress Mountain ticket holders must travel on the Olympic bus
network. Go to www.obn2010.com to book your seat on the bus
network.
2. Departure hubs:
- Capilano University
- Simon Fraser University
- Lonsdale Quay
3. The trip to Cypress will take between 30 and 60 minutes.
4. Be prepared to walk from the bus drop-off point at the venue.
Remember to wear weatherproof shoes with good traction as
spectators will need to walk 1.6 kilometres to two km on gravel to
reach the stadiums. Additional details and venue maps can be found
in the spectator guide delivered with your tickets and online at
www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/.
Whistler venues (Whistler Creekside, Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler
Paralympic Park and The Whistler Sliding Centre) specifically:
1. There is no public parking in Whistler.
2. From Metro Vancouver: Ticket holders travelling to Whistler from
Metro Vancouver on the day of their event will travel on the
Olympic bus network.
3. From the Sea to Sky corridor: Ticket holders staying in the Sea to
Sky corridor can ride public transit to Whistler events.
4. From Squamish: There is no public transit for Metro Vancouver
ticket holders from Squamish.
5. Travel time to Whistler on the Olympic bus network will take
approximately three hours.
For the most up-to-date information available now and during the Games, visit www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/. The section reviews transportation options, venue specific recommendations and directions, ceremonies and celebration information, as well as providing detailed lists of prohibited and restricted actions and items. Spectators can also sign up for immediate alerts and notifications via e-mail. A new feature now available for maximum usability and convenience is a spectator guide phone application, which can be downloaded onto Samsung mobile phones.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in
For further information: Media Contact: VANOC Communications, Tel: (604) 403-1611, E-mail: [email protected]
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