Tinkerblue

Vancouver 2010 House of Switzerland Grand Opening

 Dave Qualley
 

Hubby and I went to the Grand Opening of the House of Switzerland on Granville Island last night.  It was crazy busy.  You couldn't move for the number of people in there. The lineup went out the door.  The entertainment was typically Swiss - alpine horns and cowbells.

 

They were giving away Riccola, Lindt chocolates (I like them all, hubby likes the ones in the red wrappers), some biscuits and coffee.    It was so crowded we stepped outside to ride the Olympic Line Streetcar to the end of the line and back.

  

We sat and watched the Vectorial Elevation and the lights from downtown.  If it hadn't been so cold, we would have hang out longer.

By now we were more than a little hungry and cold.  The crowd at the House of Switzerland had thinned out a little, so we headed back inside for some beer and cheese and cold cuts.

And if you're in Whistler, the House of Switzerland has their grand opening today.   

Holland Heineken House

I wish Holland Heineken House were setting up in both Vancouver and Whistler.   Alas, they will only be in Vancouver.  At the O Zone in Richmond.  Hubby will have to go and have a beer or two for me.  Anyone want to go with him?

Medal Ceremony Hall

The highlight of the Holland Heineken House experience is the main hall featuring celebratory medal ceremonies for successful Dutch athletes as well as nightly performances by renowned Dutch artists and DJ’s. It will be quite the party place, hosting 4000 people a night. The uniquely close relationship that Dutch sport fans have with their heroes - coupled with their penchant for the national colour of orange - makes for a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere during celebrations and performances.

Epic Centre of the Dutch sporting world

Further features of the Holland Heineken House include a Lodge Restaurant and several food outlets, a Dutch Consulate information desk, ATP travel and ticketing desk, a special athletes’ room, VIP facilities for members of the Dutch royal family and government, a business lounge for partners and suppliers of NOC and NSF as well as facilities for Dutch media. 

Sports fans can follow the progress of their heroes live on dozens of large screens throughout the Holland Heineken House, sharing in the achievements and emotions that are part and parcel of the Olympic experience. Should you be unable to obtain a ticket for your favorite event, there is no better way to enjoy the action than in the company of fellow fans.

Opening hours

Open daily from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m., the Holland Heineken House is an ideal place to catch up on the latest Olympic news or to simply relax with something to eat or drink. Everyone is welcome, including international guests, and most especially all those with a Dutch Passport.

The refreshments offer a range from fast food and healthy snacks to the best of modern cuisine with a Dutch and Canadian flare. Food is combined - of course - with a fresh and cold Heineken draught beer. Table reservations for lunch and dinner at the Lodge Restaurant (capacity 150) can now be made by sending an e-mail to hhh@atp.nl.

http://www.hollandheinekenhouse.nl/uk_home.html

Whistler Canada Olympic House

Next weekend is a busy weekend in Whistler.  The Torch Relay is on town on Friday night, the House of Switzerland opens on Saturday, and Whistler Canada Olympic House also opens to the public on Saturday.

The Whistler Public Library will be host to Whistler Canada Olympic House.  Like Canada Olympic House at The Bay Downtown in Vancouver, access it limited by accreditation or invitation.  However, unlike the Vancouver Canada Olympic House, the Whistler community will be invited to the following events:

Saturday February 6th - 11:00am to 2:00pm - Celebrate the Torch Relay 

• find out about the Whistler Canada Olympic House programming
• meet athletes
• photos with the torch
• talk to torchbears
• face paining
• Olympic sport competitions on Wii
• Make your own torch

Saturday February 13th - 9:00am to 11:30am - Celebrate First Nations and Sport

• Community pancake breakfast
• explore First Nations Culture
• meet athletes
• make your own uniquely Canadian souvenir
• Native drumming, story telling and bannock making

Saturday February 20th - 9:00am to 11:30am - Celebrate Sustainability and Culture

• Community Breakfast
• learn about the importance of sustainability
• arts and crafts
• Bobs and Lolo
• meet athletes

Saturday February 27th - 9:00am to 11:30am - Celebrate the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Our Athletes

• Community breakfast
• look back at the success of the Games
• experience the Games through the eyes of Canada's 2010 Nordic Combined Olympian, Jason Myslicki
• what's next for Whistler

Sunday February 28th - 5:00pm to 10:00pm - Celebrate the Closing Ceremonies

• enjoy a traditional Whistler Apres while watching the closing ceremony on the big screen

.

House of Switzerland Vancouver and Whistler. I need chocolate.

 

I'm a sucker for chocolate.  Really.  And Swiss chocolate?  It's good.  But there's more to Switzerland than just chocolate. Cheese.  Oooh I like cheese. And Fondue.  And Raclette.  I want to go back to Switzerland. Now!

A trip to Switzerland is not in the calendar.  Or the budget for that matter.  Not to worry, a taste of Switzerland is coming to Vancouver and Whistler. 

Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island in Vancouver and the Mountain Club in Whistler are being transformed into Swiss Hospitality Houses. I've walked past the Mountain Club every day this week, and it's changing fast.  

 

The House of Switzerland Canada 2010 will officially open on Friday February 5th in Vancouver and Saturday February 6th in Whistler from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  And the general public, meaning me and you, are invited.

There is so much going on, that I am just going to cut and paste from their press release:

From February 5 – 28^th 2010 at the House of Switzerland Canada 2010 in Vancouver and Whistler there will be on-going events, activities and contests, including:

• A Grand Opening event for media, VIP's and the public SAVE THE DATE! Friday, Feb 5^th in Vancouver & Saturday, Feb 6^th in Whistler (4:30 – 6:30 PM)
• Medal ceremonies and celebrations for Swiss Athletes
• Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate giveaways, demonstrations and contests
• 'Swiss Days' celebration of traditional Swiss culture
• Daily give-aways from Zimtstern – Switzerland's most technologically advanced and stylish snowboard and streetwear clothing company
• Swiss Chef's, who have added Swiss specialty dishes to the local menus
• Live broadcasts of Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
• Complimentary Pure Swiss bottled water for each guest
• Children's Entertainment by the famous Globi – the "Mickey Mouse" of Switzerland
• Personalized Nespresso coffee, served by World Barista Champion Sammy Piccolo
• Ricola give-away day
• Free samples from Cheeses of Switzerland
• 'Swiss Biscuit Day' with free samples from Swiss biscuit maker HUG
• Live music with musicians from St. Moritz – daily ten-minute sets
• Switzerland's Official Broadcast studio set-up in Bridges Restaurant
• VIP treatment for media, including complimentary laptops and wireless internet
• A Digital Host providing an instant line of contact through twitter and facebook – watch for twitter contests and "tweet-ups"
• A VALENTINE'S DAY SURPRISE – yet to be revealed SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, February 14^th in Vancouver and Whistler
• A chance to win a trip for two to St. Moritz Switzerland in Whistler and Vancouver – valued at $10,000 including 5-star accommodation at luxurious Hotel Kempinski or Hotel Badrutt's Palace
• And much more!

My schedule right now looks like I'll be in Whistler for the Vancouver opening, and in Vancouver for the Whistler opening.  I'll have to see if I can rectify that.

 Love the Aussie Flag hanging above the House of Switzerland!
 

Find out more at:

www.houseofswitzerland.org

HOS Facebook group

or follow Bettina and Anita from HOS on twitter

The Vancouver schedule is here (link opens PDF file)

and the Whistler schedule is here (link opens PDF file)