July 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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What's a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon? Watching wiener dog races at the Hastings Race Course Track, of course! Having never been to the track before, I was compelled to go this Sunday to watch cute wiener dogs battle it out in a 20m dash. There were 3 heats, which took place in between the horse races. The dogs were hilarious to watch, even though not all crossed the finish line: some ended up going backwards, others circled each other and one just plain decided he didn't want to race anymore. But the two that did cross the finish line got loud cheers from the crowd for their photo finish race.
Although the wiener dogs were fun to watch (note: they only happen once a year), the horse races were definitely my favourite. It was great getting beers, hot dogs and placing cheap bets on the horses (you can bet as low as $2.00), and then cheering on your horse as they whipped by you! Word of advice: betting solely on the cool-factor of a horse's name is not a good strategy, and may lose you a few bucks. Overall it didn't matter that I lost money, because there was nothing better than spending a day in the sun, having some drinks and food and watching horses race by!
March 17, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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Just returned from the Paralympic Games in Vancouver. I felt a need to comment on the amazing hospitality of both the volunteers and paid staff at all venues. Extremely helpful and accommodating and always went the extra mile. Congratulations to all of you and Thanks!!!
February 23, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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It was a nail-biting start to the Olympic Men’s Hockey playoffs in Canada Hockey Place (also known as GM Place). Over 12,000 fans filled the stadium to see if Canada could recover from their loss to the USA on Sunday and beat Germany. Win they did – with the score an impressive 8-2.
The jumbotron egged us all on to “Make Some Noise,” and in an interview, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson thanked everyone for being such great Olympic hosts. The Winter Games mascots danced around and the ‘Kiss Cam’ embarrassed loads of non-couples. At every goal the stadium erupted into a sea of flag-waving, cow-bell shaking and clapping. Totally crazy!
Great cries of “Luuuuuu!” came from Canadian fans as Vancouver Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo was between the pipes. He’s practically a god here in Vancouver as Captain of the Canucks, the city’s National Hockey League (NHL) team. You can catch them during their home games from October to April at General Motors Place.
Sports fans have plenty of options to catch games in Vancouver. For cheaper hockey tickets, head to the Pacific Coliseum to see the Vancouver Giants – part of the Western Hockey League – and striving to be tomorrow’s NHL stars (September – April). The BC Lions, the city’s pro (Canadian) football team play at BC Place from June to November.
In the summer, baseball fans can watch budding major league stars at the Nat Bailey Stadium. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club offers affordable tickets and plays 38 home games.
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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Vancouverites love their hockey (like all Canadians) – especially their Canucks. I’ve been to a handful of games and each time I have a blast. The fans are at once boisterous and respectful (jesting at the opposing team’s fans – especially Calgary Flames – but still polite to their fellow Canuck seat-neighbors. We are Canadian after all). I love when the mascot Fin playfully bites the heads of fans (the picture shown is of him going in for a "bite") and Mark Donnelly sings the national anthem! Lately the stadium announcer will belt out “Wooooo” after each Canuck goal, which is then repeated back by the fans. It’s addicting – you can’t not do it!
Vancouver is also home to a WHL team, the Giants. I haven't been to a game yet but here’s what my colleague Karen had to say about it: “At the Giants game I went to there were no business guys in suits heading to the game, it was lots of families and tons of people in jerseys...What I loved most was that there was so much entertainment in between periods: two golf carts on the ice, two blimps flying around, t-shirts being shot at the crowd, coupons dropping from the sky, and even a hamburger tossed out as a prize by the mascot...Impossible to be bored!”
If you prefer to hit the ice yourself, lace up your skates on one of Vancouver’s outdoor rinks. Grouse Mountain (in North Vancouver) has an 8,000 square foot pond high above the city, while Robson Square (downtown Vancouver) is a smaller rink but it’s free and right in the heart of the action (skate rentals are $3.00).
During the next two weeks though NHL team rivalries will be dropped and all Canadians will be cheering for their home country. We’d love to hear your pick on who will win men’s hockey gold. Post your picks/comments below!
Go Canada Go!!
February 09, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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With just days until the 2010 Winter Olympics begin, I’m starting to get really excited! But if you are ticket-less (like me), fear not! There will be plenty of free sites buzzing with activity where you can watch the Games and enjoy the festivities!
Here’s what’s on my radar:
LiveCity Downtown/Yaletown: Between the two sites – one in Yaletown and the other steps from BC Place and Canada Hockey Place – I should definitely be entertained. Giant TV screens will be set up and broadcast live coverage of the Games, yummy food and drink will be available and live music will be playing every night. Even before the Games start there will be activity: I’m going to be making my way to LiveCity Yaletown this Thursday for the arrival of the Olympic torch!
Robson Square: Take your pick between ice skating outside, zip-lining high over the cityscape or pondering Leonardo DaVinci’s “Mechanics of Man” exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Oh, and did I mention that all are free? (Skate rentals are $3.00.)
Richmond O Zone: If you don’t mind a little travel, hop on the Canada Line Skytrain to head out to this celebration site. I’m planning on checking out the Holland Heineken House (the nation house of the Netherlands) for some beer; the ice carving competitions – and subsequently funky ice art sculptures; trying a hand at bobsleigh (in virtual reality, of course); and all the fantastic live entertainment.
But if none of those suit your fancy, lots of bars and restaurants will be broadcasting the Games. So grab a bite to eat, replenish yourself with some beer and sit back and enjoy the Games.
Live City Downtown: corner of Georgia and Beatty; LiveCity Yaletown, corner of Pacific Blvd and Drake; Robson Square: corner of Robson and How; Richmond O Zone, Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Ave.
February 04, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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For me, a large part of the fun of the Olympic Games will be experiencing the mish-mash of cultures all in one place. And where better to do this than at the various nation houses that are sprouting up everywhere?
Here’s what’s on my itinerary:
Holland Heineken House: It’s earned a reputation as “the place to party” from previous Games and I have no doubt it will be this year too. Sponsored by Heineken, this means an abundance of beer that fellow partygoers can drink among 4,000 people each night. Also live nightly music. Location: the Richmond O Zone, Richmond.
Jamaica Bobsleigh House: Ya Mon! Not only will you be able to eat Jamaican food, drink Jamaican beer and dance to reggae, but you can also hang with members from the original Cool Runnings team! How awesome is that? Location: Savage Beagle, Whistler.
House of Switzerland: Swiss chocolate and cheese anyone? These culinary staples will definitely be on hand at this nation house. Besides the food, I’m looking forward to seeing a giant chocolate Inukshuk (wait, does that count as food?). There will also be tons of daily giveaways – who doesn’t like free stuff!? Location: Granville Island.
BC Canada Pavilion: Where else can you zipline six-stories above the city, ice skate on an outdoor rink and gain entry to the fantastic Vancouver Art Gallery to see Leonardo DaVinci’s “Mechanics of Man” exhibit – all for free? I'm definitely going to be here! Location: corner of Howe and Robson.
Atlantic Canada House: Having never traveled to Canada’s east coast, I’ll be for sure making a stop at this provincial house. The food menu looks amazing (think lobster, mussels, wild boar) and the entertainment is sure to be interesting - if only because I’ll be trying to decipher those Newfie and Nova Scotian accents! Location: Granville Island.
Casa Italia: When I think of Italy, I think of good food and wine – and this pavilion promises both. Rumour has it there will also be cooking shows with Italian chefs as well as high fashion shows. Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown.
August 01, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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I had a free Sunday afternoon and a few toonies jingling in my pocket. After weighing my options (going out for a scoop of gelato was a delicious contender) I grabbed the biggest hat I could find and decided on a day at Hastings Racecourse.
While not as glamorous as the horse-racing you see on TV (I scanned the crowd and I was the only one in a Kentucky Derby-esque enormous hat), Hastings Racecourse has a charm of its own – especially for a novice horse gambler like me.
When my friends and I arrived at the track, the races were already underway. We spent the first twenty minutes deciphering the text-heavy racing program, placed our $2 bets (using scientific betting methods such as “I like gray coloured horses” and “Mister La Rock is an awesome name”) and sidled up to the white fence near the finish line.
There is a lot of racing lingo, but the racecourse staff was patient (and thankfully not condescending) as we stumbled our way through Trifectas and asked questions about Lasix. We picked up a free How-to guide to make things easier.
I started my afternoon as a quiet race-watcher, but by the end of the day, I was on my feet, pumping my fist and cheering on the ponies by name: “C’MON Krazy Koffee!” What can I say? The crowd’s excitement is contagious.
The afternoon flew by in a blur of toonies and sweaty thoroughbreds. At the end of the race day, I was only down about $0.90 overall (thanks to my scientific betting methods, no doubt) – not bad for a few hours of entertainment, and much more exciting than a scoop of gelato.
A few Hastings Racecourse tips:
- General admission to the racetrack is free (except during PNE Fair time).
- Live racing happens on the weekend (from April to November) and on Friday nights (from June to September).
- Parking costs $8, but you get a special voucher you can exchange for a free program and $5 off food or beverage purchases. Hastings Racecourse offers a shuttle service from various locations, and Translink has bus service to the racecourse.
- Check out www.hastingsracecourse.com for race schedules and shuttle bus information.
- Before the race begins, get a closer look at the horses as they walk around a small paddock off to the side.
June 28, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy will be playing our Vancouver Whitecaps on October 3 at BC Place in Vancouver.
Get your pre-sale tickets first by using promo code Cobi.
February 21, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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Your visit to Vancouver must include a baseball game. During a summer evening, there are no better places to be than the Nat Bailey Stadium. Located in the heart of the city, it is very easy to go there using the transit system. The local team, the Vancouver Canadians, is the farm team of the Oakland A's. Don't miss your chance to see the stars of tomorrow. You will also enjoy the view that will be able to have there. The stadium is located next to the Queen Elizabeth Park, definitly one of the most beautiful place in Vancouver. It is also the highest place in the city. From there, you will be able to see Downtown Vancouver and the north shore mountains. Don't forget to be at the stadium earlier than the beginning of the game if you want to enjoy the view.
SEE YOU AT THE NAT!!
(I'm sorry for errors, I speak french.)