Professional & Spectator Sports

Venues for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Learn about the events each venue is hosting during the Games, as well as ways to participate in winter fun at these Olympic locations. 

Whistler Mountain

Alpine Skiing and Alpine Skiing Paralympic (downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined)
Whistler Mountain is the first choice for Alpine events at the 2010 Winter Games and a pinnacle experience for ski enthusiasts the world over.

Gear up and ski or ride before, during or after the Olympics! Whistler Blackcomb terrain will be fully open for most of the 09/10 winter season, and more than 90% of the terrain will remain open for public skiing and riding during the Olympic and Paralympic period (Jan 25 – Mar 27, 2010).

Whistler Olympic Park

Nordic (biathlon, biathlon Paralympic, cross-country skiing, cross-country skiing Paralympic, Nordic combined and ski jumping)
Whistler Olympic Park is located in the Callaghan Valley, about 18km/11mi southwest of Whistler. It is the first Olympic Nordic venue to include all three traditional Nordic sport stadiums in one site: cross-country ski, ski jumping and biathlon.

When Whistler Olympic Park is combined with the nearby Callaghan Country winter trail network, there are nearly 100km/62mi of groomed trails for classic and skate that range from beginner to Olympic-calibre.

For the 09/10 season, more than 70km/43mi of trails will be open for public skiing; some trails will also be open for snowshoeing. The facility will be closed to public skiing during the month of February for the Olympic and Paralympic competitions.

Cypress Mountain

Freestyle Skiing (aerials, moguls, ski cross)
Snowboard (parallel giant slalom, halfpipe, snowboard cross)
Cypress Mountain is first choice with hundreds of thousands of users each year. The mountain has spectacular views of the city, 51 downhill runs, a 6m/22ft halfpipe, 19km/12mi of nordic trails, a massive new timber frame day lodge, and the cozy, historic Hollyburn Lodge.

Why wait to watch the medal contenders take on Cypress in 2010? Take a run at the gold now! Cypress Mountain will be closed for a period around the Games, but will be open to the public before and after the Games (with some terrain closures). 

Richmond Olympic Oval

Speed Skating
Richmond Olympic Oval is a purpose-built venue designed to showcase speed skating during the 2010 Games. The Oval is located in Richmond, an island community set between the arms of the mighty Fraser River and within sight of the international airport.

After the Games, the Oval will be transformed into a huge multi-use facility with ice, sport courts, and track; guided tours will be available.

Canada Hockey Place

Ice Hockey
Canada Hockey Place (renamed from GM Place for the Games) in downtown Vancouver is a hot ticket venue for Canada's national passion: hockey.

Fortunately, Canada Hockey Place is already accustomed to the thunderous roar of a sold-out house. The “Garage” is home ice for the city’s own professional National Hockey League team, the Vancouver Canucks.

UBC Thunderbird Arena

Ice Hockey and Ice Sledge Hockey
UBC Thunderbird Arena is located on the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus. Along with being a secondary venue for ice hockey, this is also the official venue for ice sledge hockey, which is rapidly achieving renown as a truly exciting spectator sport.

To keep the sledge ice hockey game speedy, this arena has never-before seen accessibility features: iced players benches and penalty boxes for quick entry with clear plexi-glass boards so players can easily see the game. 

Whistler Sliding Centre

Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton
Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb Mountain is a new, purpose-built venue located in the heart of the Whistler Blackcomb resort area. Four-time Olympian Pierre Lueders and brakeman Justin Kripps were invited to christen the track with its first runs on December 19, 2007.

This is one of only 15 competition sliding tracks in the world, and it is steep, challenging and fast. Racers can reach speeds of more than 150km/93mi per hour!

Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre

Curling & Wheelchair Curling
This centre is set in the heart of Vancouver, near Queen Elizabeth Park, and is where curling's best will try to "sweep" up their opposition.

Pacific Coliseum

Figure Skating & Short Track Speed Skating
On the east side of Vancouver, the Pacific Coliseum is the venue for figure skating and short-track speed skating. The Coliseum is already a familiar facility for Vancouver locals and visitors alike. It is set in the Hastings Park complex, at the site of the Pacific National Exhibition, the city's massive summer fair. The Coliseum is also home ice for the city’s Junior Hockey team, the Vancouver Giants. 

BC Place Stadium and Celebration Site

Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Victory Ceremonies
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Games will be the first ever to be presented in a covered, indoor facility. BC Place Stadium in Vancouver covers 4ha/9ac and boasts the largest air-supported stadium roof in North America. The sheer size of this venue, combined with its impeccable sightlines, offers the opportunity to feature thousands of performers in what will be a spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Nightly Victory Ceremonies will be conducted concurrently at BC Place Stadium and the Celebration Site in Whistler Village. The Victory Ceremonies will be linked by large video screens enabling both communities to participate in honouring the achievements of these magnificent athletes.

And because no one knows how to throw a party better than Canadians, Victory Ceremonies will be followed up each evening with concerts by Canada’s most dynamic and well-known performers.