PSA: Olympic Visit Thoughts

Jill and I spent a few days at the Olympics in Vancouver.  If you’re thinking about visiting but do not have any tickets, here are some thoughts that might encourage you to go anyhow. 

1. There was no waiting at the Truck Crossing going and the Peace Arch returning.
2. We parked the van at the Scott Road P&R in the Overflow lot (between Home Depot and the P&R lot).  The overflow lot is unpaved and free; the P&R lot is paved and is a pay lot.  We spent the night in the Overflow lot – no problems.
3. We took the “Expo” SkyTrain line from Scott Road P&R to City Center.  We had bought a Day Pass for $9 for use on all transportation.  You can buy a Day Pass via credit card at vending machines at the P&R.  No one seems to be checking passes, but we always had one.
4. There are volunteers everywhere to provide any assistance you might need. 
5. The public transportation to all event sights is excellent and very easy to navigate.
6. We did not have advance tickets for any events. There are plenty of tickets available from the “scalpers”.  We bought our tickets for 50-75% of the published price -- there is free market pricing.  If you hate to bargain then this will be painful and expensive.  I usually buy my tickets very close to the official ticket booth, outside the event site, and about 30-45 minutes before an event but sometimes just after the event has started.  Carry US cash in small denominations and be willing to negotiate. 
7. If negotiating is not enjoyable, then you can probably buy a ticket just before the event at the event ticket booth.  Although events are “sold out” on the web, just about all events have tickets that become available for various reasons.  This probably won’t happen at the medal Hockey games or Figure Skating.
8. Plan at least a 30 minute wait to get through security for all events including the Live Sites in the city.
9. We attended: the US Womens Hockey victory over Russia – the US team is fantastic; a Womens Curling event – interesting and enjoyable, it was packed and they started serving (and drinking!) beer at 9am, curling is HUGE in Canada; an Awards Ceremony that was very emotional – there is entertainment before and after, with the group afterwards being Bare Naked Ladies, definitely worth the $22, get there early. 
10. We had hoped to get some Standing Room tickets for the events at Cypress, but the rains on Monday washed out the snow in the Standing Room area and due to safety concerns they cancelled all of those tickets and were providing refunds. 
11. We have tickets for the Mens Slalom event next Saturday at Whistler when we’ll make another trip back up to B.C.
12. The buzz about the Canadian Hockey team is incredible.
13. The only credit cards accepted are VISA and you should give your card holder a call that you plan to be in Canada. 

Yeah, you can see the events better on television plus it’s free.  But I’ve been to Lake Placid and the Montreal Olympics and the emotions of being on site are not replicated on television.

What's it like getting from Vancouver to Whistler? Are they letting private vehicles through? I realize there's probably no lodging, is it possible to head up there and camp in a car? Is there any parking?

What's it like getting from Vancouver to Whistler? Are they letting private vehicles through? I realize there's probably no lodging, is it possible to head up there and camp in a car? Is there any parking?

Between 6am and 6pm travel north of Squamish is restricted to vehicles with permits (you can't get one if you are asking this question). Outside of these hours anyone can pass the checkpoint without even slowing down, but you probably don't want to show up at 6:01pm.

Last weekend we slept in a station wagon in a random parking lot north of the village, then parked in the Westin underground lot ($16CAD for the day, no free village parking available) during the day while we skied and whined about the Downhill being postponed.

I recommend taking some time at the end of the day to check out Prior's tour of their facility to see how skis are hand-made. Check their website for times.

Here's the link to a Seattle Times article published on Friday, February 19 by Bob Condotta.  He describes the exact positive experience we had for buying tickets on-site.  I do not know what the situation is like at the Whistler sites.

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/olympics/...32_olytickets19.html

Thanks for the info.
I am real tempted to run up for next tuesday to see my niece compete in the 2 person bobsled.
This information makes it seem more feasible. I just did not want to hassle with all the crap for a one night thing.
Last year Scotsman and I went to her world cup race at the sliding center and it is not a great spectator sport. The racers are flying by at breakneck speeds, so watching the monitors and time splits seems to be the better viewing. I thought the best viewing was at the finish line. Especially when my niece jumped into 2nd place on their last run, only to be edged out of the medals by other USA teammates and Canada.
Anyway, Keep positive vibes going on and Cheer on Bree Schaaf in team USA 3 Bobsled!

Anyway, Keep positive vibes going on and Cheer on Bree Schaaf in team USA 3 Bobsled!

Joe, Thanks for the insight about your niece.  It is wonderful to know someone competing in the Olympics.