Tinkerblue

Whistler Olympic Park - home of Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Cross Country and Biathlon

(it's not a blurry photo, that's snow on the letters.)

I have been at Whistler Olympic Park for the last 3 days overseeing the setup of the retail kiosks.  they are looking good.  So now's a good time for a mini tour of the venue. 

Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) is a huge venue.  There are three separate stadiums - the Ski Jump Hills, the Biathlon Stadium, and the Cross Country Stadium.

WOP will host 28 Olympic events, that's 1/3 of all Olympic events.  Whistler Paralympic Park (WPP) will host 32 Paralympic events, that's 1/2 of all events.

Ski Jump - there's the normal hill, the long hill and the men's team event.

 image VANOC

Nordic Combined - as the name suggests is a combination of Ski jumping and cross country.  There are three events - two individual and one team.

Biathlon - is a mix of cross country skiing and target shooting.  Athletes need endurance, speed, a steady hand and accuracy. There are men's individual events, women's individual events, men's relays and women's relays.

image VANOC

Cross Country - Did you know there are two different types of cross country? No?  Well there is.  Classic or Free.  There are men's individual events, women's individual events, men's relays and women's relays.

During the Paralympics there will be Biathlon and Cross Country events.

I am quite excited about being at WOP.  There will be a lot happening.  I don't know how much of the events I will get to see, but I think the atmosphere will awesome.  And the venue team that I work with is a really great group of people.

A little more about the venue.  Venue capacity:

• 12,000 at ski jumping
• 12,000 at cross country
• 12,000 at biathlon
• 6,000 during Paralympics

WOP also has it's own website, go check it out.  www.whistlerolympicpark.com

Getting there:

• From Vancouver take the Olympic Bus Network.  The departure hub is BCIT in Burnaby.
• From Whistler take the Whistler Olympic Park Express from Whistler Village.
• There is no BC Transit to this Venue.
• From bus drop off point, there is a 500m walk to the decision point.  At the decision point, you will chose the path to the Ski Jump (400m), Cross Country (600m) or Biathlon (700m).

 image VANOC

There is a lot of interesting information regarding the terrain, the equipment, the snow making, the trails etc.  Take a moment to read it at Vancouver 2010 or at the Whistler Olympic Park website.

Mum, Dad, Dave and Morag have tickets to the Men's Long Hill Ski Jump on February 22nd.

Tate has tickets to the Women's Cross Country on the 25th.

Dave and I have tickets to the Paralympic Biathlon on March 13th.

Pretty sure Australia is not a medal contender in any of the Nordic Sports, so we'll be cheering for Canada.

 

Cultural Olympiad beings tomorrow, January 22nd 2010

 

It's rather overwhelming.  There's a lot going on - Cultural Olympiad, LiveCity Yaletown, LiveCity Downtown, Whistler Live, Richmond O Zone, Surrey Celebration Site, Place de la Francophonie, Sponsor Houses, National Houses, Four Host First Nations Pavilion, GE Plaza, Heineken House, GE Plaza, Molson Canada Hockey House etc etc etc.  Not to mention the actual Olympics.

So what is the Cultural Olympiad?  It's a celebration of arts and popular culture, lasting 60 days,  January 22nd to March 21st. It's comedy, circus and street arts, dance, music, theatre, visual art, literary arts, film, video and digital.  Some are ticketed, lots are free. And some are even interactive.  So even if you're not into sports there's bound to be something up your alley.

A 2010 Cultural Olympiad Program Guide is available.  You can pick one up from the Cultural Olympiad Information Centre in the lobby of the CTV Building, 750 Burrard Street.   (and at Cultural Olympiad venues, public libraries, Bell stores, Tourism BC Visitor Centres, Tickets.com outlets and community centres).

 

Quite a few things caught my/our eye.  Not that we will have time to do all or even any of them.

Feist with special guest Gonzales "Piano Talk Show"

Stars with Hey Rosetta

Alberta Ballet: Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and The Drum

Majumder/Cullen/Payne: Laugh It Out! (hosted by Tyler Stewart and Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies)

Cirque Eloize: Rain

Vectorial Elevation

World Tea Party

Hal Willner's Neil Young Project

Whistler Live! Blue Rodeo

The Only Animal: NiX

There is a National Touring Program, so if you're not in Vancouver you can still take part. It's not as extensive obviously, but you'll find the details at Vancouver2010.com

Right now on CODE (Cultural Olympiad Online Edition) you can sign up for an Opening Ceremony digital souvenir on February 12th.

 Become a fan of the Cultural Olympiad on Facebook.

Molson Should Match my Donation to Haiti

On the weekend Molson Canadian Hockey House lowered the prices on their fan zone passes to $99.00. The fan zone passes get you in to Hockey House, complimentary food, cash bar and in and out privileges. 

Passes for February 21st (Canada vs USA) and February 28th (Gold Medal) game sold out quickly.  MCHH was on our wish list but we couldn't stretch it to the full VIP pass.  But we decided we could manage the $99 each.  

I have February 18th off, and will be back in Vancouver for the day.  Hubby and Morag don't have any tickets that day, and my Mum and Dad have only one event. I checked the site and there was passes available for the 18th.  And Canada is playing.  Perfect.  5 passes into my shopping cart, enter my visa info and away we go.

The website just timed out. RBC Visa said that there was a temporary charge on my visa for approx $550. So I assumed the purchase had gone through.  Not so much.  For whatever reason it didn't work.  I called the Molson ticket office and they confirmed that they had no record of the purchase.  But by then the 18th had already sold out.  

We can still get the VIP pass, but at $500.00 each they are outside our budget.  Hubby, my parents and Morag might decide to go another night.  There other nights still available.  But the 18th was my only option.

Oh well, you know what?  We'll survive. And after I bitched for a bit, I realised that I was being entirely selfish.  So I took the $200.00 for what would have been the fan zone passes for hubby and I and made a donation to the Red Cross for Haiti.  I think Molson should match it! 

Moving on...

 

We finally got our tickets from the original lottery. Well Mum and Dad's tickets.  They put in for 3 of the Olympic Experience Packages, and were lucky enough to get 2 of the packages, including Opening Ceremony tickets.

 
 

Hubby and I put in for 2 tickets to some of the long track speed skating, short track speed skating, ice hockey, aerials, bobsleigh, skeleton, luge, ski jump, downhill skiing and curling.  Of the 20 or so tickets we requested we "won" 2 for the curling.  

 

We've since managed to pick up a few more from the fan to fan resale site and through the Whistler locals offering, so we are happy with our range of tickets.  Hubby and I also bought tickets to the Paralympics - Sledge Hockey x 2, Biathlon x 4 and Closing Ceremony x 4.  It look like a lot of tickets doesn't it?

  

Also in with the tickets - The Olympic Spectator Guide, the Paralympic Spectator Guide, remainder that Visa is the official payment card of the Games, merchandise offers for the hockey jersey, official souvenir program and commemorative frames for tickets and a pin.

My parents arrive in 20 more sleeps.  I am so excited to see them.  

 

Olympic Bus Network Tickets - done and almost printed

Finally got round to booking the Olympic bus network tickets for Mum, Dad, Dave, Morag and whoever!

Mum and Dad have tickets to the Ladies Snowboard Halfpipe on Feb 18th at Cypress Mountain, and then we have 6 tickets to the Ladies Snowboard Cross on Feb 16th also at Cypress.  I'll be working on the 16th, so Dave gets to take 2 friends with him.  

Public transit is included in the event tickets, but for the events on Cypress Mountain they will need to use the Olympic bus network.  There isn't any parking at the Olympic venues, hence Olympic bus network is how spectators will get from Vancouver to Cypress or Whistler venues.  You have to book in advance here.

For Cypress the cost is $12.00 per person for a return ticket plus taxes etc, so it works out to $14.00 each. At least until January 10th.  Then the fare increases to $25.00 each.  Hence the urgency to book now. It's something I've been meaning to do since the middle of December and I keep forgetting.  It's done now, before the increase.

There are 3 departure hubs to choose from for Cypress - Capilano University, Simon Fraser University and Lonsdale Quay.  To get from here to Capilano or SFU would mean driving or multiple buses, so Lonsdale Quay it is.

Every one is going to have to get up early, and get the West Coast Express from here to downtown Vancouver. And I say early, cause they will need to be on the 6.54am train out of Pitt Meadows.  But it's a very nice train and they can all have their coffee and read the newspaper on board.

 At Waterfront Station everyone will have to transfer to the Seabus for the ride across to Lonsdale Quay.  Maybe they'll get to ride the new one - the Pacific Breeze.

 Charlotte Boychuk

Once they all clamber off the Seabus at Lonsdale Quay they will need to find their way to the Olympic bus network station and board their 8:35am bus to Cypress.  The tickets are all printed and waiting for them, or would be if our printer had any ink.  But they are saved to my hard drive and we will print them before the 16th. They look like this (Yep, I blacked out our name and the bar code)

 

Our First Batch of Tickets

Look at this...

 

We have a batch of tickets in our hot little hands.  These are the tickets we bought in the Whistler Locals offer

The Victory Ceremony tickets that we received in exchange for our voucher from the 100 day countdown in Whistler.  We chose the night based on the date, rather than who is playing.  But in case you're interested it's K'naan.

 

The Paralympic Closing Ceremony tickets we purchased online

Oh and Morag, we bought you tickets to the Figure Skating Training, it's not the competition, but at least you'll get to see something

 
  

Vancouver 2010 Fan to Fan Site and Ticket Auction

Vancouver 2010 released the Fan-to-fan marketplace and ticket auctions today. The information below was taken directly from the email sent out by VANOC, because it says it better than I can.

1) Fan-to-fan marketplace

The fan-to-fan marketplace is the most secure way to buy tickets from other fans or legitimately sell your Vancouver 2010 tickets.

Sellers: 
Step 1) Sign in to your ticketing account
Step 2) Click on the My Tickets tab to view the tickets in your account. 
Step 3) Select the seats you want to sell and follow the steps to post your tickets!

Buyers:
Step 1) Register or sign in to your ticketing account
Step 2) Search for the sport or ceremony you want to see. 
Step 3) Check out your options! Select the seat locations that suit you and buy your tickets online. Don't see what you're looking for? Tickets are posted by other fans, check back often as postings will change and new tickets will be added. 


2) Vancouver 2010 Ticket Auction
A limited number of seats offering the best view or experience in the house at high-demand sport and ceremony events are now available to by auction and new packages will be posted every week at vancouver2010.com/tickets.

 
View live auctions 

3) Donate your tickets
Account holders who find they can no longer use their tickets are encouraged to consider donating them to the Celebrate 2010 program. Through this program VANOC is working with community partners to distribute donated tickets to families and children with limited means who might not otherwise have the chance to experience the 2010 Winter Games. Tickets can be easily donated through your online ticketing account.

4) Single event luxury suites at Canada Hockey Place
Single event luxury suites at Canada Hockey Place are now available for select ice hockey sessions. Request deadline: December 31, 2009. Click here for more information.  Any suites remaining after the deadline will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

More Tickets - Paralympic Closing Ceremony, Figure Skating Training

More tickets!

 

Tomorrow, Friday December 11th, at 10:00am.

 

The Paralympic Closing Ceremony will be on Day 10 - Sunday March 21st 2010.  It will be held at the Whistler Medals Plaza. Tickets are $60.00 each plus tax. Tickets are available from www.vancouver2010.com, either of VANOCs two main ticket centres or at 1-800-tickets

 VANOC/COVAN

Want to see the figure skating but missed the tickets?  Why not go to a training session at Pacific Coliseum?  Tickets are available for seven training sessions.  Not bad. Tickets are available online or through 1-800-tickets.  They are not available at the two main ticket centres.

Tickets, Whistler Victory Ceremonies, Olympic Bus Network, Accommodation Updates

VANOC sent out a ticketing update yesterday.

 

Locals'  Ticket Offer part two:

• Remaining Whistler-based Olympic tickets will be available for sale exclusively at the Whistler Main Ticket Centre and only to residents from Squamish to Mount Currie. 
• This offer is open to people with a primary or secondary residence in the region and you must purchase available tickets in person at the Whistler Main Ticket Centre.
• Tickets cannot be used to access the Olympic bus network from Vancouver. Tickets will have "No Olympic bus network access" printed on them, however tickets will still provide access to local public transit from Squamish to Pemberton on the date of the event
• Tickets purchased through this program cannot be resold through the fan-to-fan marketplace.
• To purchase Whistler Olympic tickets at the Whistler Main Ticket Centre, customers must provide Government Issue photo ID and have an address in the Sea to Sky region or proof of accommodation in the area.
• •You are welcome to purchase tickets on behalf of friends and family but they will require transportation and/or accommodation in the Sea to Sky region in order to use the tickets. 

Whistler Main Ticket Centre:

Opens today (November 26th, 2009)

Location: Whistler Medals Plaza

Hours of operation: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00-18:00 (closed Mondays) 
Please note: In recognition of Visa's 2010 Winter Games sponsorship, we are proud to acknowledge Visa as the only payment card accepted. Cash will also be accepted.

Whistler Victory Ceremonies:

The entertainment schedule for the 15 nights of Whistler Olympic Victory Ceremonies will be announced on December 4. I am excited to find out.

Whistler Accommodation Still Available!

Contrary to the myth that Whistler accommodation is "sold out" or too expensive at Games time, there are many options available — from luxury hotels to apartment-style lodges — throughout the resort. I'm still trying to find a room for one night for Mum, Dad, Hubby and Morag for the 2 days of tickets they have in Whistler, so they don't have to go back and forth each day from Vancouver.

Olympic Bus Network:

If you have a ticket from Phase 1 or Phase 2 that allows travel on the Olympic Bus Network, bookings start on Monday November 30th. Book early as the fare goes up January 4th, 2010. 

Commercial Transport to Whistler:

Thinking of taking a day trip to Whistler, go skiing for the day,  or have local's tickets and need a way to get to Whistler.  There are several commercial companies that will be running services to Whistler.

Getting Around Whistler:

Your event ticket includes free public transport on the day of the event.  So how do you get from Whistler Village, or your Whistler area accommodation to say, Whistler Olympic Park?  On BC Transit.

Lots to take in, isn't it?

Hubby and I are off to Seattle on Friday for the weekend to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary (27th November 1999).  I hope you have a great weekend.