Statue of Harry Jerome

1. Stanley Park
Located just off the main downtown core, this 1000 acre park is one of the finest in the world. Encompassing a variety of gardens, animals, activities and spectacular ocean views, Stanley Park has something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely few hours playing pitch and putt, spend a few hours at Vancouver’s Aquarium, observe wildlife such as raccoons, beavers, ducks swans and turtles in Lost Lagoon, inhale fragrant blooms at the Ted ad Mary Grieg Rhododendron Garden and the Stanley Park Rose Pavilion or travel the 9km seawall by bike or foot taking in beautiful ocean vistas or unearthing tiny crabs and looking at Starfish.

2. University of British Columbia Campus
This stunning Vancouver campus is located on Point Grey, separated from the suburbs by the massive Pacific Spirit Regional Park. The UBC Campus offers a variety of educational and beautiful pursuits – visit the world renowned Museum of Anthropology to learn about local native art or venture into the outdoors and enjoy the UBC Botanical Gardens and the Nitobe Gardens – one of the finest Japanese Style Gardens in North America. Other hidden gems can be located around the entire campus!

3. North Vancouver – Capilano Rd.
Starting at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, this roadway leads straight to Grouse Mountain which overlooks the West Coast. Visitors can cross the swinging suspension bridge and check out the dozens of activities including the treetops adventure. Further upstream is Capilano Regional Park with its fish hatcheries, trails and access to Cleveland Dam. Finally, Grouse Mountain, a destination throughout the year offers shows and animals in the warmer months and spectacular skiing during the winter. Don’t forget to try the famous 2km Grouse Grind Trail which goes to the mountain top!

4. Sea to Sky Highway
One of the most beautiful stretches of road in British Columbia, the Sea to Sky highway begins in West Vancouver winding along Howe Sound with views of the ocean inlets, ferries and mountains. There are many interesting stops along this picturesque route – the BC Museum of Mining offers visitors a chance to explore the old copper mines in Britannia Beach with tours, gold panning and the largest truck on display in the area. Several Provincial Parks including Stawamus Chief and Vancouver’s third highest falls, Shannon Falls are good picnic and hiking areas and one of the best lookouts in the area, Tantalus View Point with its stunning views of the snow capped mountain ranges. This two hour trip ends at Whistler.

5. Whistler
A destination for all seasons, Whistler is known best for its large ski terrain, beautiful mountains and warm hospitality. This ski resort town is a year long attraction with access up the mountains to hike, climb, mountain bike – and in the winter months, ski and snowboard. Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains are the two main attractions encompassing over 1,800 acres of trails for visitors to enjoy. The newest addition to the region, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola holds the distinction of being the longest unsupported span in the world. With summer around the corner – enjoying the beautiful parks, observing the wildlife and enjoying the panoramic views of the Cascade mountains makes Whistler an ideal day trip!

Venture Vancouver is situated in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The site works to promote Vancouver and its surrounding regions in its many activities ranging from beautiful Stanley Park, to its surrounding mountains and to its beaches. To find out about more activities not listed in this article in the Vancouver region visit: http://www.venturevancouver.com

The facilities for the Vancouver Olympics will be broken down into two categories competition and non-competition venues.

Competition Venues

The Competition Olympic venues for the Vancouver Olympics will be located in four adjacent cities Whistler, West Vancouver, Vancouver and Richmond.

Vancouver is the hub of the Olympic activity, but events for the games will be spread throughout these four different locales:

Vancouver and Richmond

Vancouver is home to four main sporting venues for the 2010 Olympic Games. These sporting venues include Canada Hockey Place, Vancouver Olympic Center, Pacific Coliseum, UBC Thunderbird Arena.

These events will host events such as hockey, curling, and figure skating. Speed skating will be held at the Richmond Olympic Oval which is located in downtown Vancouver in Richmond city.

Whistler

Whistler is second only to Vancouver in its importance and number of planned events at the 2010 Olympic Games.

You will find multiple competition venues located in Whistler including The Whistler Sliding Center, Whistler Creekside, and Whistler Olympic Park/ Whistler Paralympic Park. A number of exciting events will be held at these Olympic venues including bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, and alpine skiing.

In fact, Whistler Olympic/Paralympic park alone will host a number of events including Olympic biathlon, Paralympic biathlon, Olympic cross country skiing, Paralympic cross country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping.

West Vancouver

One of the most breathtakingly beautiful Olympic venues you will visit is Cypress Mountain located in Cypress Provincial Park in the district of West Vancouver. You will find that the views of the city of Vancouver and its harbor are not to be missed, but Cypress Mountain will also host some events that shouldn’t be missed. You can see the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events at this popular British Columbia ski area, during the Vancouver games.

Non-Competition Olympic Venues

There are two main locations where you will find the non-competition venues for the Vancouver Olympic Games. The non-competition venue cities include Vancouver and Whistler. The Canadian Olympic committee has set up these non-competition venues to make certain the games go of without a hitch.

Vancouver

In the city of Vancouver you will find a number of non-competition venues for the 2010 Olympic Games. These venues include BC Place, the Main Media Centre, and the Olympic/Paralympic Village. BC place is the venue in which you will attend to see the opening and closing ceremonies along with the nightly award ceremonies for the games. On the southeast side of False Creek in Vancouver you will find the Olympic and Paralympic village. You will find that the village for the 2010 Olympic games is centrally located for easy access to shopping, entertainment, ceremonies, and dining. Additionally, you may be surprised to learn that the village features sustainable housing that will be converted to a residential neighborhood after the completion of the Vancouver Olympics.

Whistler

Whistler is another important place for you to be familiar with for your trip to the Vancouver Olympics. Like Vancouver, Whistler will have a number of non-competition Olympic venues to compliment the events being held there. Whistler will have its own Olympic/Paralympic village. The newly constructed Olympic village is located in the scenic Cheakamus Valley.

The Whistler Conference Centre will house the MMC or Main Media Centre for the International press, and you can view the nightly awards ceremonies at the Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza.

White Rock offers a destination for all to enjoy. Just south of Vancouver and only five minutes north of the US – Canada border, it is distinguished for its quaint B&Bs, galleries, boutiques and fine waterfront dining with spectacular sunsets over the Georgia Strait.

The City of Vancouver is a 30 to 60 minute freeway drive north. The Canada – US Border is 5 minutes away to the south, with 2 crossings to choose from Pacific, at BC Hwy 15 and Douglas at BC hwy 99. Both crossings are located in Blaine, WA and are accessible from US I-5. Blaine is approximately 1.5 hours north of the Greater Seattle area. The Vancouver International Airport is only 20 minutes away.

The sun smiles on the Semiahmoo Peninsula more hours than most other Southern Coastal Communities. The average temperature during the summer months is 23 degrees Celsius (76 degrees Fahrenheit) and 6 degrees Celsius (42 F) during the winter months. The fairest month is July with only 40 mm (1.6″) of rain on average.

This makes the White Rock area the perfect place to enjoy swimming, golfing, kayaking, sailing, whale watching, biking, hiking or even just strolling. It’s also home to tennis courts, lawn bowling, 2 ice arenas, many golf courses and the famous International Women’s Fast Pitch Tournament.

While in the White Rock area you should experience the many lush nature trails and parks. Serpentine Fen, a bird sanctuary, as well as Crescent Beach are two great areas to see over 200 species of birds on their migration. There is the Historical Stewart Farmhouse, a turn of the century museum, “Blackie Spit” and “1000 Steps” are other must see attractions that give you a rustic feel.

Stretching 1,559 feet into the ocean is the White Rock pier. It was first constructed in 1915 and officially re-opened in 1977. For a pleasant stroll along the wooden planked pier and watch the crab fisherman of all ages try their luck. You can also visit the great white boulder for which the city is named. Native legends claim the son of a sea god tossed this 486.63-ton magical rock across the seas to prove his strength and it was later used as a navigational beacon.

The Promenade along White Rock’s famous sandy beach is always a pleasant place to stroll and visit. Approximately 2.19 Km (1.36 miles) of level, paved walkway, every inch with a spectacular Ocean Vista which can extend as far as the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. A sweeping view of the Canadian Gulf Islands and southern Vancouver Island across the Georgia Strait is a common reason that some folks stroll the entire length each day. Head out one way along the water and meander back along Marine Drive window shopping or stopping for coffee in one of the many shops, restaurants and cafes.

Marine Drive follows The Promenade through White Rock. With the ocean view on one side, the other side of the Drive meanders through a busy section of the downtown with shops, galleries, restaurants and sidewalk cafes, all with oceanfront views. There are numerous B&B’s in this area that also face the ocean. An ample selection of hotels and motels can be found farther south between White Rock and the US border.

White Rock and the surrounding areas offer some of the finest residential neighborhoods in the Greater Vancouver area, including the growing Morgan Creek area surrounding the Morgan Creek Golf Course (one of fifteen Golf Courses in the area). The Lifestyle is decidedly upmarket and real estate prices tend to be higher than other areas of Surrey and other suburban parts of Greater Vancouver. It is within a reasonable distance to commute to Downtown Vancouver and has become a popular area for corporate executives with offices in Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby. It is far enough away from the dense urban areas, yet close enough to be central to major corporate centers and still offer all the social and entertainment opportunities of a major North American venue.

So, too, is it an excellent place to retire. The year-round mild climate has made White Rock and the Semiahmoo Peninsula the choice for many senior Canadians. The City of White Rock, with its spectacular ocean views and the City of Surrey with quality new developments offer many condominium home opportunities geared to the older generation who don’t want to spend their time maintaining a house.

If you are looking to build your dream home, you will find that White Rock offers some of the highest quality builders in the Greater Vancouver district. There are many building lots available, ranging in size from a typical “city” lot to multi-acre estates or hobby farms. White Rock’s quiet, safe neighborhoods will surely offer you the home you have been searching for, whether its an ocean view no-hassle condominium, a large treed lot to raise your family, or anything in between.

White Rock has something to offer everyone with shopping, recreational facilities, just ambling along the ocean front Promenade and fine dining. Whether for the day or for much longer, it’s an excellent destination whether for the busy vacationer or for the weary traveler.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Canada Vacation
http://canada-vacation-guides.com/

Besides the outstanding, pristine scenery, the wildlife, both marine and land locked and the opportunity to experience the outdoors safely, Vancouver Island has some of the most challenging hiking trails in the world. But let’s work up to it slowly: I have seen first hand what it can do to the so-called amateur outdoors man.

On the south end of the island, starting in Saanich and winding its way around Victoria to the south-west coast, is the famous ‘Galloping Goose Trail’. Named after a rather strange looking railway carriage of earlier times, this former railway line right of way extends for fifty-five kilometers along wheelchair accessible terrain. Besides passing through a great variety of scenery it also has access to fishing, beaches, and areas for pot holing, kayaking and other water activities. To start us out on our fitness trails, take the Galloping Goose and try the fifty five kilometer walk: or maybe cycling would be easier for you to start out!

Well, while we are all warmed up, why not drive up to Strathcona Provincial Park, in the centre of the island, and do a bit of wilderness hiking. This is not only the oldest Provincial park on the island but the largest, and has the highest mountain peaks of the Vancouver Island Range; with several towering at over 2,000 meters in height. This list includes The Golden Hinde, which at nearly 2,200 meters is the tallest in the park and Elkhorn Mountain, just tens of meters shorter. One of the tallest waterfalls in Canada can also be found in this Park. Della Falls is 440 meters up which provides some astonishing and majestic views to those brave enough to manage the steep hike.. Of course all of this makes an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts and those who feel at home in nature and its surroundings. However, there are bears, cougars and other potentially dangerous animals.

Within Strathcona Provincial Park are dozens of different trails, ranging from easy to advanced. Some trails can be easily done in a less strenuous hike while others are several days long; all are wilderness trails with few amenities. Now I have you aching for more, so to speak, we can take a look at the Vancouver Island special, the West Coast Trail. What the big boys call “The real Canadian experience”. This is one tough hike! Besides being 75 kilometers in length it can take anywhere from five to ten days to travel. You will need to bring all your own supplies including food and water, and because of the location on the pacific coast side of the island it is only open to use between May and September. You have to get a permit, you will get lots of rain and mud, you will have to deal with tide changes, long steep climbs, tree ladders, steep cliffs, natural bridges and manually operated cable cars over deep chasms: and don’t forget the wolves and bears!

Vancouver Island is full of adventures for you to discover, so if you think you can handle a real hiking experience, head to the Pacific North-west and give these three suggestions a try. But come prepared, the British Army training group didn’t find it very easy, and neither will you. Think you are up to it?

Want to Discover more about Vancouver Island and the hiking trails? Visit http://www.Discover-Vancouver-Island.com a popular website that provides inside information for visitors to the island, including maps, pictures and videos.

There are local galleries that display a wide array of works. some of the best pottery in BC can be found here, and fibre arts like weaving, knitting, wool spinning and fabric making are so popular, that there is even a Fabric Arts Festival held annually. Thousands of people ascend on this little seaside village for the event. worsted wool purses and hats, fabulous one of a kind fabrics, beautiful weaves and knitting to die for are just a few of the types of items you will find at the Festival.

Each Sunday, local craftspeople and artists have a vendors area in lower Gibsons. This spectacular setting with the one of a kind treasures you will find is just one way to spend an hour or so visiting the street vendors and walking through Mollys Lane that also is host to many more local craft businesses.

Sheepskin vendors who make slippers, custom quilts that will be heirlooms in your family for years to come and some of the most exquisite jewellery you will find awaite you. Local painters and visual artists work can be found in most local restaurants and the galleries through out town. You can also find an amazing little art shop at the bottom of the Gibsons Public Wharf.

Almost every street block has some type of hand made treasure to be found. Blown glass garden globes and hummingbird feeders are a personal favorite. Most local artists and craftspeople belong to the Purple Banner program. You can stop and visit any studio displaying a purple banner. These artists and craftspeople welcome you to their studios.

With the huge amount of talent, if you are into one of a kind arts and crafts, a trip to Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast is worth it alone. Just a 45 minute ferry ride from West Vancouver, you will find this talented little town.

About the Author

http://www.sunshinecoast-bc.com – Your portal to the communities of the Sunshine Coast.

There are many breathtaking, scenic landmarks to visit in Vancouver, BC, but Grouse Mountain is one of the most popular. Situated in North Vancouver and close to the equally famous Capilano Canyon suspension bridge, a day at Grouse Mountain will consist of a scenic cable car ride to the top of the mountain that takes about 8 minutes and offers stunning and spectacular views of Vancouver and the surrounding area as far as the eye can see.

Vancouver is a hub of activity all year round because of its temperate climate and Grouse Mountain is a standard place to visit through all the seasons. There is plenty to do on Grouse Mountain from Summer to Winter and all seasons in-between. In the winter one escape into the serene beauty of a natural winter playground only minutes away from golf courses and the ocean below. Just a short distance from the Peak Chalet, you’ll find yourself a world away in the popular Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park. There are a variety of different groomed trails to choose from which guarantees that you’ll discover something different each time you visit. One can also tour the professionally groomed beginner and intermediate snowshoe trails of the Blue Grouse Loop, or head for Dam Mountain – a pristine loop of three main trails that circle Dam Mountain and Thunder Bird Ridge. You can find the trails very easily with clearly marked signs from the top of Grouse Mountain. For the snowshoeing enthusiast, there are a variety of classes and courses offered in the winter months as well, including: Beginner Snowshoe Clinics, Ladies Only Snowshoe Clinics, Snowshoe Drop-In Nights, Race Prep Clinics and Snowshoe Fondue Tours.

The skiing and snowboard runs are spectacular and picturesque. As a leader and pioneer in the snow sports industry, Grouse Mountain offers world class Freestyle Terrain facilities and expertise with its Parks, events, and team. Grouse Mountain is home to two main Terrain Park Zones that attract skiers and riders of all ability levels and ages from across British Columbia and around the world. Whether you are new to freestyle terrain or you are a seasoned veteran, you will find features that match your ability and progression level. Grouse Mountain also offers a variety of educational classes taught by world class instructors from beginner to advanced.

Don’t have your gear? Feel free to step right into a pair of lightweight Atlas Snowshoes from the Grouse Mountain rental shop where one can also rent assorted ski and snowboard equipment. Are you unsure of the conditions? One can always contact Grouse Mountain guest services at 604.980.9311 for up to date weather and mountain conditions.

Other winter activities hosted on the mountain include things like the Skyride, ice slating, sleigh rides, the snow limousine, helicopter tours, a wildlife refuge, Theatre in the Sky and the annual Peak of Christmas – a favourite Vancouver holiday tradition with Santa Claus, reindeer, ice skating, sleigh rides, carolers and classic cartoons.

Summer activities include a wildlife refuge which is home to an assortment of animals like orphaned grizzly bears, grey wolves and a host of other species. This refuge is a world-renowned research, education, and conservation centre that is open for school field trips and to volunteers. The Adventures in Education program is a highlight for any children’s group or school. This program offers a wide variety of dynamic educational and interactive mountain adventures that include science, social studies and recreational components. These programs help teachers meet curriculum objectives while providing students with hands-on, motivating and fun experiences. Programs offered include wildlife education, First Nations’ cultural experiences, and recreational activities including ski and snowboard lessons, outdoor ice skating, nature hikes, guided snowshoe tours, and Peak of Christmas festivities.

The trip to the top of the mountain is around $32 CAD (including tax) for an adult and includes everything you find at the top of the mountain. You can also go parascending for an extra fee. Additionally, there are excellent restaurants and gift shop to pick out some souvenirs of your trip.

For more information on Vancouver, Vancouver landmarks and tourist information, please visit GoingtoVancouver.com at http://www.goingtovancouver.com ]]> http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/2008/07/03/grouse-mountain-in-vancouver-bc-canada/feed/ 0 http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/2008/06/10/hidden-whistler-secrets/ http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/2008/06/10/hidden-whistler-secrets/#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:19:40 +0000 admin http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/?p=54 As a resident, business owner and frequent skiier at Whistler, I have realized that there are “secrets”, things to see and do that the average visitor to Whistler has NO idea about. I’ll try to pass along a local’s knowledge, but know that Whistler is a paradise all of its own – these secrets merely add to the magic!

Hotels can be $300 a night and up during ski season, and peak summer season – but three ideas have saved me money on accommodation. First, there is a condo booking agency called ResortQuest that can offer off season specials – I stayed in a gorgeous townhouse a block from the village square, with hot tub, fireplace, kitchen, sleeping 4-6 people for $100 in the early fall – ask about any deals like that!

If you are sociable, and willing to both ENJOY and put up with the common areas of a bed and breakfast – Chalet Beau Sejour had bed and breakfast in a spectacular chalet looking out on the mountains for $90-125. Very social hosts, and a dining table looking out on the mountains with double sided fireplace and mulled wine while visitors from around the world discuss snow and ski conditions simply can’t be beat!

Lastly, there are two hostels – the venerable Shoestring Lodge, just north of Whistler maybe ten blocks distance, and slated to be “developed” into townhouses before the Olympics, has beds for $25, as does the hostel across the Lake from Whistler – you may share a room with some interesting strangers, but that price leaves plenty of money for food and entertainment!

Whistler has an incredible array of high end restaurants, but one I found outstanding was the Edgewater Lodge, just north of Whistler a few miles. Check the picture in the website, combined with the Zagat quote “venison to die for” (they have their own venison farm) and you’ll be on your way!

At the other end of the spectrum, the mall beside the Whistler Conference Center hosts Shakespeare’s Pies – Australian meat pies for under $4 that you will come back for over and over, especially after visiting Whistler’s bars and nightclubs!

Three bars stand out as amongst Whistler’s best, and offer a unique experience. Tommy Africa’s will attract the early 20s crowd, with glass DJ booth, the best local DJs and a zebra striped door! The Savage Beagle is a two level bar on the main walkway, with a crowded dance floor downstairs, and a “belly up to the bar” section upstairs. The “cougar bar” for 30s and up is Buffalo Bills, at the other end of the main walkway – live bands, great DJs and comedians have offered many great nights over the years.

Ski lift passes are often available at the 7-11 in Squamish or Vancouver on your way to Whistler for a discount that can be $10-20 per lift ticket. Lift lines are shortest at the Whistler Creekside lift, if you want to get going quickly, but I prefer the skiing at Blackcomb, the other mountain (they are joined at Whistler Village)

The best kept secrets about Whistler are the summer activities – there are a group of pristine lakes to swim or canoe, mountain bikes with full protection gear are rocketed to the top of the mountain for rapid or tricky, descents, and the ski hill has a glacier at the top that is kept open until August!

Oh yeah, some guys named Palmer and Nicholas have golf courses, and there are ski camps, tennis camps, zip trek lines, heli hiking, white water rafting, fishing, horseback riding, ATVs – there are a LOT of great things to do, but bring money!!

Enjoy it now, before the Olympics – because 2 weeks of staring at this on TV is going to make the world go crazy for Whistler!

Author: Andrew Larder
Whistler BC Canada – Greatest Skiing In North America!
 

But there is one!

An island with a history stretching back as far as the ice age, that perches on the western edge of a great continent and one that is growing very quickly as a “must see” destination.

Only about three hundred and fifty miles in length , Vancouver Island sits in the Straits of Georgia, north-west of Seattle and an hour and forty minutes by ferry from the mainland of British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver Island is home to the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria, and has been since 1850 at which time the interior gold rush brought prospectors and a supporting cast of many people to this pristine island.

Today, the temperate climate, stunning scenery and world class amenities make this island a travelers mecca, and for good reason: or to be precise, many good reasons. English speaking, well actually “Canadian” speaking, easy to drive and everything within fairly short distances helps make any vacation here very enjoyable and relatively stress free, especially as accommodations and food services are widespread, well located and of the highest standard: many rated the best on the continent and some, the best in the world.

But it’s the diversity that is the main attraction. Whale watching, body surfing, long cycling trails, wilderness camping, world class spa-resorts, museums, historical sites, famous gardens, ski-ing, sailing, salmon fishing, diving, real wild-life, or spa treatment with a Pacific ocean view. Home grown produce markets, fresh seafoods, local wineries, breweries and cideries, wilderness camping, bed and breakfast or famous five star hotels,

Vancouver Island supports it all and it’s there to be discovered. Jazz festivals, art festivals, opera, book fairs, antique fairs, garden tours, agricultural fairs, theaters and ghost walks. Marathons, cycling races, golf, lacrosse, soccer and ice hockey: and even the tall ships make an appearance!

Vancouver island is a celebration of agricultural, maritime and historical; of First Nations peoples and others from many nations. Of British and Spanish and Asian influences against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery: a wilderness with all the amenities. Quality shopping, extensive tourist services, modern transportation and yet, the unusual. Float plane services, eagles on the lamp posts, art galleries on the walls, eight hundred year old trees, sea kayaking and afternoon tea with triangular sandwiches.

But more to the point, what shall we have for lunch!

How about some local oysters to start with, followed by a home grown emu burger on a home baked bun with garden grown tomatoes and locally grown herbs picked fresh for the table. Perhaps some locally made goat cheese and a pint of ale brewed on the premises. Actually I think I will have a small glass of the locally made blueberry port wine with my home grown strawberries, although the flambe’ pears look rather nice!

Hey, take some time to Discover Vancouver Island for yourself, you will be glad you did.

About the Author

Dave is a retired Canadian who has taken up building websites. For more, in-depth information for the traveler to Vancouver Island visit ‘Discover Vancouver Island.com’ and check out the FREE travel videos!

There are a lot of places where you can go sailing in Canada, but the place to start is British Columbia. There are more than 70 marine parks scattered all around this area, and they are well preserved in compliance with the environmental laws of this country. This Canadian province is bordered by the Pacific Coast. The best time to go sailing will be in the summer, when the weather is dry and warm. There are also several bays and inlets such as Black Lake, which could be a good place for kayaking.

The Gulf Islands North of the Strait of Georgia is also an interesting venue to visit during your holiday vacation. There are simply countless places to explore, including the Wallace and Prevost Islands. You may also want to enjoy the flora and fauna of the various marine parks, such as Pirates’ Cove and the Sidney Spit. These locations aren’t only fabulous for couples, but for families as well. You can set up camp or go fishing in addition to enjoying some amazing sailing in Canada. Then you can all go down to the main village in Saltspring Island, Ganges. Moreover, if you want to most wonderful view of Gulf Island, don’t forget to continue to Mount Norman, found in the island of South Pendar.

Vancouver Island, on the other hand, is mainly made up of fjords and inlets, where you can bring your yacht charter. One of the most renowned is referred to as Alberni Inlet. If sailing suddenly wears you out, you can move to the mountains of Malahat. It is more than 1,000 feet above sea level. If you want some great challenge you better prepare your mountain gear.

Finally, go on a sailing vacation in Canada and enjoy one of the most beautiful marine parks there is found in Desolation Sound. It’s very huge, covering more than 20,000 acres of shoreline and land. You can also set on a trail and explore the hills and waters of the Gifford Peninsula.

About the Author

D. Browall is with http://www.sboats.com , an independent directory on yacht charter and sailing vacations. Visit his website if you want to find companies offering yacht charters in Canada

Cypress Mountain- West of Vancouver BC. where snowboarding, freestyle skiing, moguls and ski cross will take place.

Whistler Sliding Area – Blackcomb Mountain is the site for the bobsleigh, Luge, and Skelton

Whistler Creekside – Whistler Mountain will host the Alpine Skiing, Downhill, and the Super G.

Whistler Olympic Park – Callaghan Valley will hold the Biathlon, Cross country Skiing, Nordic Combined, and Ski Jumping.

UBC Winter Sports Centre – University of B.C. is the home of the Ice Hockey games and Ice Sledge Hockey.

Pacific Coliseum – Hastings Park will have the Figure Skating events and Short Track SpeedSkating.

Hillcrest/ Nat Bailey Stadium Park will host the Curling events.

General Motors Place – Downtown Vancouver will also hold some of the Hockey games.

BC Place Stadium will hold the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the medal round of Hockey, as well as nightly victory ceremonies.

Whistler Celebration Plaza will also hold some of the Victory celebration ceremonies.

Ticket sales:

Tickets will go on sale around October 11, 2008. You can go to www.cosport.com to fill out an inquiry form. They will be sold in 4 different stages. Ticket prices will range from $25.00 – $1100.00. Opening Ceremonies $175-$1100 Closing Ceremonies $175-$775 Ice Hockey Finals $350, $450, $775 Figure Skating Gala Exhibition $175-$525 The Cheapest tickets will be for the cross country skiing $25-$75 and the Women’s Ice Hockey will have some for $25. Some the more sought after events will be sold as a lottery. There will also by an on-line ticket buy-sell exchange program.

General information:

It would be best to start planning your trip to the Winter Olympics as soon as possible as lodging could be limited. If you plan on flying, the airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Whistler is about a 2 hour drive from the airport. Another lodging alternative would be to stay in Seattle WA. The airport in Seattle is called Sea-Tac Airport. It is about a 3 hour drive and you would have the border crossing to go through. Remember that passports will be required at the crossing by that time.

About the Author:

I like to write articles with useful information. You can visit my website for more information on this and other tops. www.mypandabear.com