Tinkerblue

24 Hours in Whistler - Scandinave Spa

The Scandinave Spa was on Groupon for 50% off so I grabbed a pass for Barb and I. It's normally $58.00 per person.  Our Groupon was $30.00 each. We arrived just after 6, and left right before closing 3 hours later. It was so good. I'd go back.

Entry includes locker rental and 2 towels. Two big, fluffy, clean white towels each. The recommended process (yes there is a process) is:

20 minutes warming the body up in one of the two hot baths, Finnish Sauna or Eucalyptus Steam Bath. This increases circulation,  and sweats out any toxins.

5 minutes in what Spa terminology calls a "Refreshing Rinse Station". Translation, bloody cold. There are two plunge pools, nordic (read freezing) waterfalls and cold showers. This apparently closes your pores and strengthens your immune system

20 minutes relaxing in a hammock, solarium or by the outdoor fireplace. 

The repeat as many times as you would like.

 

 

Hot Bath - it's daisy shaped

 

Nordic Waterfall

 

Relax - Hammock

 

Hot - Sauna

 

Cold - Nordic Plunge Pool

 

Relax - Solarium

 

Hot - Eucalyptus Steam Room, Cold - Nordic Waterfall, Relax - Solarium with great view

 

All in peace and quiet.

Wishlist - Scandinave Spa Gift Card from Costco

Barb, Rose and I had a wonderful evening at The Scandinave Spa in Whistler. I'd love to go back again.  Guess what I saw at Costco? Gift cards for The Scandinave Spa. $100.00 worth of gift cards for $79.99.  Make a good wedding anniversary or Christmas present, wouldn't it? It would cover the entry fee and I can put the rest towards a massage or lunch. Or a second entry. 

 

California Adventure or Joanna Thinks We're Going to Die!

We did not have a plan for the day. We walked down to the parks and saw the long line up at Disneyland, so headed into California Adventure instead.  Kim, Joanna and Deka had never been to California Adventure, and it's been a few years since Hubby and I were there.

 

The big rides/shows at CA are the World of Colour and Toy Story Mania. We've seen neither.  At Disney World the queues for Toy Story Mania have always been to long.  So we headed right to Toy Story Mania at rope drop and we still ended up in a 45 minute lineup.  It was worth it.  We like interactive games, even if hubby always beats me. My accuracy is better, but his score is higher, how does that work?

 

 

Our day at our California Adventure consisted mostly of Joanna yelling OMG, We're going to die, Is thing going to flip or just plain screaming.  She wasn't very keen on the ferris wheel with moving baskets or on the Tower of Terror (a random, dropping elevator ride).  I don't know what was more fun. The rides or listening to Joanna.

 

 

 

I particularly like the above photo. Hubby, Kim and I look like we're just hanging out, Deka is making sure her hair is perfect and Joanna is hanging on for dear life!

 

I won't bore you with all the details but we managed to get round most of the rides in CA - Toy Story Mania, Mickey's Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr, Soarin', Monsters Inc, Tower of Terror and we managed to fit in the Aladdin show, lunch and some shopping.  We skipped Grizzly River Rapids 'cause it was too bloody cold for a water ride.    Oh and hubby and Kim met a famous (?) pilot.  I'm not sure we ever knew Minnie Mouse is a pilot.

 

 

 

Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal

We were lucky enough to be able to attend a dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony at Stadium (BC Place) last night.  My mum, dad, hubby and I all got to go. 

I can't tell you much, or anything at all.  We were asked not to reveal any details or take any photos.  We haven't and we won't.  I'm not a big fan of the people who have posted details.  Why spoil the surprise?

What I will tell you is, you should watch it tomorrow night.  Either at home, at the pub, or at one of the live sites.  Yeah, there were bits that didn't wow me, but overall it was quite spectacular. I'll be watching again tomorrow.

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

Surrey 2010 Celebration Site

Mum and Dad, Dave and Morag have a pretty full calendar for the Olympics already.  But just in case they have any spare time, they could head out to the Celebration Site in Surrey.  It'd be worth it for the RCMP Musical Ride alone.  I doubt very much that they will get a chance to see the Musical Ride in Hobart or London. 

When - February 12th to 28th (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Where - Holland Park - corner of King George Hwy and Old Yale Road, King George Skytrain

 

Artwork by Zach Camozzi - click on the map to open a PDF file.

What - Celebration Stage, Skating Rink, Toboggan Zone, Curling Zone, Sustainability Way, Kids World, Meet the Mascots

Performances by 

• Blue Rodeo - Feb 12th
• Serena Ryder - Feb 14th
• Hot Hot Heat - Feb 17th
• Corb Lund - Feb 18th
• Jully Black - Feb 19th
• Sam Roberts - Feb 19th
• Malkit Singh - Feb 20th
• 54-40 - Feb 21st
• Marianas Trench - Feb 26th
• Wintersleep - Feb 27th
• Tokyo Police Club - Feb 27th
• Randy Bachman - Feb 28th
• and many, many, many more.

 

RCMP Musical Ride

• Wed/Thurs/Fri 8:00pm
• Sat/Sun 3:00pm and 8:00pm
• Feb 28th 4:00pm

www.surrey2010.com

Fairmont Whistler invites you to Paint the Town Red.

Grouse Mountain - Open 24/7 - Get a free pass with your volunteer accreditation

February 12th to 28th Grouse Mountain will be open 24 hours a day with a winter wonderland of activities.

 image Grouse Mountain
 

Doesn't matter what time you show up, there will be something for you to do.  Zipline, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hockey tournament, entertainment and NBC's Today Show.

Click here to open a PDF schedule.

 image Grouse Mountain
 

You can buy an after hours pass which allows you to ski or snowboard to your hearts content from 8:00pm to 6:00am for $150.00. And better yet Grouse Mountain wants to recognise and celebrate the Vancouver 2010 athletes and volunteers. Visit Grouse Mountain Guest Services with your accreditation to receive a complimentary Grouse Mountain After Hours Pass.  How cool is that?

So how do you get up the mountain? On the DC All-Nighter Bus of course.

And if you're a fan of NBC's Today Show with Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera, Ann Curry, and Al Roker you can watch the live broadcast at 4:00 am PST everyday.

 image Grouse Mountain
 

If I wasn't already running on little sleep and didn't have to be on venue in Whistler at 7:00am, I'd be up for going skiing at 2:00am.

Some highlights from the Grouse Mountain website:

• NBC Today Show (excluded Sundays) – Chalet Atrium – 04:00 to 08:00
• DJs presented by Monster Energy – Altitudes – 22:00 to 02:00
• Olympic event viewing – Theater in the Sky – 09:00 to 24:00
• Torch Light Parade from 22:00 to 22:30
  
• Ice Skating Pond
• Sleigh Ride
• Midnight Snowshoe Tour
• Sunrise Snowshoe Tour
• Mountain Ziplines

• International Kids Hockey Tournament– Ice Rink – Feb 16th-28th, 2010 – 07:00 to 10:00
• Cultural Entertainment – Chalet / Atrium and Outside – mornings and evenings
• 11:58 Monster Energy Slopestyle– The Cut – February 18th, 2010 – 22:00-01:00
• Olympic Athlete Training for Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross and Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom
• Valentine’s day dinner – Observatory – February 14th, 2010
• Olympian Katarina Witt & ARD TV – Ice Rink – Feb 18th, 2010 -  12:00 to 14:00
• Olympian Shizuka Arakawa & Nippon TV – Ice Rink & The Eye of the Wind – Feb 7th & 15th, 2010 – 15:00-22:00

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

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The Torch Relay Comes to Whistler on February 5th

 

The Olympic Flame arrives in Whistler on Day 99 (February 5th) of the Torch Relay and Whistler will be celebrating in style.

The Torch Relay will be coming from the Sunshine Coast and will join the Sea to Sky Highway in Lions Bay on February 4th.  It will wind it's way through Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Stawamus before overnighting in Squamish.

On Friday February 5th, the Torch will make its way from Squamish to Whistler via Brackendale, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park and Whistler Olympic Park. It will be carried on foot, logger climbing tree (?) and snowmobile.

  

3:30pm - 5:45pm Village Square

• Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Opry will perform
• Joined by local musicians Dana-Marie Battaglia, Greg Reamsbottom, Jon Shrier and Rachel Thom.
• The Olympic Mascots will stop by for a visit
• Visit the Spirit Tent and have your face painted.

 

6:17pm Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

There will be a ceremonial pass off between a Squamish and a Lil'wat torchbearer in front of the welcome figures of the main entrance on Blackcomb Way.  Join in the celebration, wear red, and bring your drum.

6:00pm - 8:00pm Skiers Plaza

• Squamish Nation Eagle Song Dancers
• Ali Milner
• The Whistler Children's Choir and the Whistler Singers will sing "There's a Light/Cette Flamme"
• The Flame is expected to arrive at 7:00pm
• The community torch bearer, Tyler Allison will carry the Flame on stage and light the celebration cauldron

Check out Whistler2010.com fand Vancouver2010.com for the route and more information.  I

'm excited to see the Torch Relay again.  Although right now the plan is for me to be in Vancouver later this week so it looks like I'll be in Vancouver while the Torch Relay is in Whistler.  And I'll be in Whistler when the Torch Relay is in Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. I'm having trouble getting all the schedules to match up!