| In Downtown Vancouver, a clock is ticking. At this | | | | will be home to speed-skating and figure-skating. |
| moment, there are still two years to go until the | | | | As well as the obvious winter sports, such as skiing |
| clock reaches zero, but nonetheless alarms are going | | | | and snowboarding, which are available at various sites |
| off all over Vancouver, nearby ski resort Whistler | | | | around Vancouver and at the fantastic resort of |
| Blackcomb, the entire Canadian province of British | | | | Whistler; the city and its surrounding environment of |
| Columbia, and in the homes of winter sports fans | | | | ocean and mountains (this part of the country is |
| across the world. | | | | often nicknamed the 'Sea to Sky' area) offers a wide |
| Yes, that's right - in 2010, the biggest event in winter | | | | range of other sports and activities, most of which |
| sports comes to Vancouver, Canada, and already | | | | are perfect tourist leisure pursuits. Activities such as |
| there is a real buzz about the place. Ever since | | | | hiking or biking over the mountains and through the |
| receiving the honour to play host to the Winter | | | | lush forest, kayaking or canoeing around the Sunshine |
| Olympic Games on July 2nd 2003, the city of | | | | Coast, or playing a few holes at one of Vancouver's |
| Vancouver and the nearby ski resort of Whistler | | | | many superb (and largely undiscovered) golf courses |
| Blackcomb have had their preparations solidly | | | | can all be undertaken. |
| underway so that the 2010 Winter Olympics will | | | | Or, for those who are looking to experience |
| prove to be the best in the games' history. | | | | Vancouver's natural beauty and culture without |
| The developments that have already been | | | | working up too much of a sweat, there are also |
| completed, or are well underway, include the | | | | various bus and air tours, as well as brilliant boat tours |
| completely new venues of the Olympic Village, built | | | | that offer the must-do whale-watching. |
| on the last remaining waterfront area in Downtown | | | | Also on offer is a wide range of cultural treats, such |
| Vancouver, which will provide accommodation for the | | | | as festivals, museums, theatres and musical |
| 2,500 athletes, coaches and officials (not to mention | | | | performances; as well as many great shopping areas |
| housing for 16,000 people after the event), the | | | | - including specialist markets - a whole range of top |
| 6000-seat Hillcrest Curling Facility, another 7,000-seat | | | | restaurants, and lots of top hotels, with luxury hotel |
| winter sports centre and two new practice rinks at | | | | suites in Vancouver as well as more modest |
| Trout and Killarney Lakes. | | | | counterparts readily available to visitors. |
| Meanwhile, existing venues also include three large | | | | And so, whatever your interests; be it wildlife and |
| stadiums; the BC Place, a 55,000-seat stadium that | | | | nature, history and museums, or death-defying |
| will host the opening, closing and medal ceremonies; | | | | extreme sports, Vancouver is an ideal place for a |
| the GM Place, Vancouver's primary Ice-Hockey | | | | vacation! |
| venue; and the Pacific Coliseum and Agrodome, which | | | | |