February 20, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
West Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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On yet another gloriously sunny day we rose at dawn for our first 2010 Winter Olympic event: Womens’ Freestyle Skiing at Cypress Mountain. From the Waterfront Station, near historic Gastown, we took the Seabus ferry over to North Vancouver. Pristine views unfurled of the North Shore Mountains ahead, and behind, of the Vancouver city skyline, including the iconic white sails of Canada Place exhibition centre – and the green expanse of Stanley Park.
We docked at Lonsdale Quay, passing through its bustling market, before boarding a shuttle bus up to Cypress Mountain. In all, getting from Downtown to the ski slopes only takes about half an hour, making Vancouver a uniquely accessible winter sports destination.
The Womens’ Aerials were fantastic. Amid beautiful alpine scenery, we watched awestruck as the athletes turned elaborate somersaults high in the air. And the fans were out in force; a group of Ukrainians had a hilarious song and dance number going, and draped in a huge green flag, was Fiona all the way from Australia. “This is the only event we’re going to but we’re loving all the free parties and sights in Vancouver,” she told us.
Despite experiencing the mildest weather in 100 years, Cypress Mountain has gone all out to create enough snow for the Olympics, and on March 9 it opens again to the general public for downhill skiing and snowboarding. I love the Nordic area too and highly recommend the chocolate fondue snowshoeing tour, as well as the cross-country ski trails and snowtube park.
For now, nearby Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour ski resorts are open to all and offer the same exhilarating range of snow sports.