Pop sensation Rihanna
The 22-year-old Barbadian diva, known for making edgy fashion choices, brings her Grammy-winning blend of r&b, pop and Caribbean music to GM Place for her high-octane Last Girl on Earth Tour (Jul. 4). Expect to hear tracks from her fourth disc, Rated R, as well as other hits from her repertoire, including the addictive (and Vancouver-appropriate) anthem “Umbrella.” Let it rain, indeed.—Kristina Urquhart
Rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers play Vancouver on Jun. 8. Photo by Sam Jones
For more than 30 years, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been cranking out hits such as “You Got Lucky,” “I Won’t Back Down” and “Don’t Come Around Here No More.” Catch the rockers at GM Place (Jun. 8).—Sheri Radford
Olympic champions Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue are part of Stars on Ice, coming to Vancouver May 14.
It’s been a golden year for Canadian ice-dance darlings Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. First, they nabbed gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, then topped the podium a month later at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships in Turin, Italy. It was the ultimate payoff for the London, Ontario pair, who have been skating together since 1997, when Moir was 10 years old and Virtue eight.
After all that heady competition, it’s time for the duo to finish their competitive season with something a little less stressful. They’ll still be skating of course—as part of the fun-filled Sears Stars on Ice tour, which glides into Vancouver May 14 at GM Place. The best part? No scores and no judges. “It’s exciting, and without the pressure, we can skate for the fans,” Virtue says.
The 20th-anniversary show stars the cream of the Canadian skating crop. Among the headliners are Olympic champions Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, veteran Kurt Browning and our country’s newest sweetheart, Joannie Rochette. “The cast is great. Coming off an Olympic season in Canada, [the tour] will be special,” Virtue says.
And ticketholders are in for a treat: the pair plans to reprise their elegant free dance to Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, which won them Olympic gold here in Vancouver. The duo’s rigourous Olympic schedule didn’t provide them much downtime in our fair city, but Virtue says, “Vancouver is one of our favourite cities, not just because we won the Olympics there, but because of the mountains, the city and the water.” Here’s hoping Canada’s golden couple will have more time to relax this time around. They deserve it!—Kristina Urquhart
Photo by Jeff Vinnick courtesy Vancouver Canucks
In Vancouver, hockey fever hit hard during the 2010 Winter Games, with cries of “Looooooo” filling the city whenever Roberto Luongo made a save. Now the goalie (not to mention his Olympic gold medal) is back playing for the Vancouver Canucks, making—we hope—just as many spectacular saves. See the team in action at GM Place this month.—Sheri Radford
One of country music's most popular acts, Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors, visits Vancouver on Mar. 25
Husband of country-singer Faith Hill and son of former baseball player Tug McGraw, the country-music superstar seems to lead a charmed existence, racking up a string of number-one hits and effortlessly winning countless Grammy Awards and People’s Choice Awards. See Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors at GM Place (Mar. 25).—Sheri Radford
If you think Vancouver is beautiful right now, just wait until you see the city in the summer
by Sheri Radford, Jennifer Patterson and Kristina Urquhart
Downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains, as seen from the oceanfront between Kitsilano Beach and Vanier Park. Photo copyright Ann Badjura/Dreamstime.com
1 Gorgeous Scenery
Vancouver has no shortage of breathtaking outdoor escapes: the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean, the almost-year-round snow-capped mountains, and greenery as far as the eye can see. Wriggle your toes in the sand at one of the many public beaches, including Kits Beach—rated one of North America’s top 10 sexiest beaches by Forbes Traveler—or Wreck Beach, where clothing is optional. Head up the mountains for scenic 360-degree views, challenging hikes and glimpses of local wildlife. Grab your camera and visit one of the city’s many green spaces, including VanDusen Botanical Garden and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Bike, walk or run Vancouver’s famous seawall, a 22-km (13.7-mi) shoreline stretch that wraps around Stanley Park, past Science World and Granville Island, finishing up at Kits Beach.—J.P.
2 Major Attractions
Seek refuge in Stanley Park, where you can see summertime displays of roses and rhododendrons, catch outdoor theatre
A team races in the annual Dragon Boat Festival in front of Science World at Telus World of Science. Photo by Tom Ryan courtesy Tourism BC
shows, frolic on beaches and ogle baby beluga whales at Vancouver Aquarium. Views abound at Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, where observing the antics of Grinder and Coola—two orphaned grizzly bears—is a popular summer activity. False Creek forms the backdrop for Granville Island, a hub for artist studios. Impromptu street performances are common, the Public Market boasts seasonal bounty from local farmers and the public fish sales dock is a local favourite for buying fresh, in-season seafood. Closed through most of March, Science World is spending our Winter Games as the pavilion for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games. This iconic “golf ball” is a fixture in the Vancouver skyline; inside you’ll find hands-on exhibits, science demos and educational films in the OMNIMAX Theatre.—K.U.
3 Festivals & Special Events
July and August brim with outdoor events that take full advantage of the long, sun-soaked days. Bard on the Beach presents Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Antony and Cleopatra, Falstaff and Henry V against a stunning ocean-and-mountains backdrop. Theatre Under the Stars mounts Joseph and the
The ferris wheel at the PNE. Photo by Sheri Radford
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Singin’ in the Rain on alternating nights in Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl. The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) celebrates its 100th anniversary with rides, midway games, outdoor concerts, parades, the PNE prize home, mini-donuts and, of course, the Superdogs. The Vancouver Folk Music Festival brings musicians from around the world to Jericho Beach Park for three days of groovy sounds. Pride Week bursts with a rainbow of gay-pride events, culminating in the Pride Parade and Sunset Beach Festival. The HSBC Celebration of Light marks its 20th anniversary with fireworks over English Bay that light up Metro Vancouver.—S.R.
4 Outdoor Adventures
When the temperature rises, outdoor enthusiasts take to the seas for kayaking, scuba diving and whale watching. From late April through October, the waters surrounding Vancouver and Vancouver Island are abundant with orcas (formerly called killer whales). Whale-watching trips offer glimpses of other wildlife, too, including porpoises, sea lions, harbour seals and eagles. Thrill-seekers in both Vancouver and Whistler ride high above the treetops of rainforests while
A pod of orcas. Photo copyright Lazareva Evgeniya/Istockphoto.com
harnessed to a cable called a zipline. Avid cyclist? Participate in myriad bike races, or head to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for 1,507 m (4,946 ft) of bike trails and a jump park. Hike the mountains and nearby national parks, or take a low-key stroll around the seawall. After a long day in the sun, relax like a Vancouverite with a yoga session on the beach.—K.U.
5 Golfing, Sailing & Skiing
You might have heard a rumour that it’s possible to golf, sail and ski in Metro Vancouver, all on the same day. Unlike most rumours, this one is true. Highly rated courses such as University Golf Club, Westwood Plateau, Furry Creek Golf and Country Club, and Nicklaus North Golf Course boast views so stunning that it may be difficult to keep your eye on the ball. Local companies such as Sewell’s Marina can take you on a sea safari or—if you’re up to the job of captain—rent you a boat to go exploring on your own. As for catching
Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler
some powder in the summertime, Whistler Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier stays open for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders through July.—S.R.
6 Winter Games Sites
Relive exciting moments from the 2010 Winter Games with a tour of Olympic and Paralympic venues, either by yourself or guided by Enjoy Tour and Travel. Canada Hockey Place, otherwise known as GM Place, is home to our NHL team, the Canucks, and sits alongside BC Place. Up on Cypress Mountain, take in the view of the Vancouver Convention Centre. To the east is the Pacific Coliseum, the showcase for figure skating. Experience your own medal-worthy moment with a lap around the Richmond Olympic Oval, open to all levels of fitness after the Games. In Whistler, follow the path of gold-medal bobsledders with a guided tour of the Sliding Centre and Olympic/Paralympic Park.—J.P.
7 Sports Teams
You’ll hear the hoots and hollers of Vancouver Canucks fans until regular-season games wrap up Apr. 10—but if the team advances to the Stanley Cup playoffs, ’Nucks fever can last into June. September marks the start of the 2011 game season for both the Canucks and the Vancouver Giants, the city’s major junior hockey team. Football fans root for the BC Lions
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo. Photo by Jeff Vinnick courtesy Vancouver Canucks
(Jun. to Nov.), and the Vancouver Canadians play the ol’ ball game at historic Nat Bailey Stadium (Jun. to Sep.). The Vancouver Whitecaps don their cleats this summer (Apr. to Oct.) before beginning their major-league soccer career in 2011.—K.U.
8 Day Trips
Head to Squamish and Whistler for outdoor activities aplenty, including windsurfing, mountain biking and canoeing. Hop aboard BC Ferries for a trip to Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia and home to our historic parliament buildings. A skip-and-a-jump between Vancouver and Vancouver Island are the Gulf Islands, and there’s no shortage of charming getaways on Salt Spring, Galiano and Mayne islands. The Fraser Valley is the perfect spot to grab farm-fresh cheese and u-pick raspberries. The province’s wine region can be found in the Okanagan, known for its dry, sunny climate. South of the border is Seattle, home to rock legends Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix, as well as the iconic Space Needle.—J.P.
9 Restaurants
Vancouver boasts world-class cuisine, but many of our best restaurants are rented out or booked solid during the 2010 Winter Games. Return in the warmer months, then, for an eating-and-drinking tour of the city featuring summer’s cornucopia of fresh
The seaside neighbourhood of Yaletwon, with Burrard Bridge in the background. Photo copyright KWest/Fotolia.com
local produce and sun-kissed patios with breathtaking views. Your stomach will thank you.—S.R.
10 Sunshine
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t always rain in Vancouver. But July and August are especially bright for sun worshippers.
The ubiquitous toque. Photo courtesy Lululemon Athletica
Canuck A Canadian
The Dome BC Place
Eh Quintessential Canadian term added to the end of a sentence. Similar to asking, “Don’t you think?”
The Garage GM Place, home of the Vancouver Canucks
Give’er To work hard; to give your all
The Grind The Grouse Grind, a challenging hiking trail on Grouse Mountain
Hollywood North Vancouver
The Island Vancouver Island
Loonie $1 coin, which features an image of a loon
Lotusland British Columbia
Sorry Used liberally, even when not at fault
Timmy’s Tim Hortons, the beloved Canadian coffee chain
Toonie $2 coin
Toque Knit winter hat (often with a pompom), pronounced “TOO-k”
—Kristina Urquhart
The athletes may be the stars of the 2010 Winter Games, but the backdrops for their amazing feats are these equally impressive venues
by Sheri Radford // Photos by KK Law
The twin domes of BC Place (left) and Canada Hockey Place (right)
CANADA HOCKEY PLACE
Ice Hockey
Though it has a new moniker during the Games, GM Place is still the same arena Vancouverites know and love. Completed in 1995, downtown’s 19,300-seat venue serves as home ice for the Vancouver Canucks during hockey season and hosts big-name concerts ranging from Britney Spears to The Police. Its NHL-sized ice, which is smaller than international-sized ice, is being used during the 2010 Winter Games, marking a first in Olympic history.
UBC THUNDERBIRD ARENA
Ice Hockey, Ice Sledge Hockey
This 6,800-seat arena on the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus opened in 2008. You might call UBC the birthplace of Canada’s Olympic hockey dreams: in 1963 at UBC, in preparation for the 1964 Olympic Winter Games in Austria, Bob Hindmarch and Rev. Father David Bauer established Canada’s first national hockey team. The newborn team almost scored bronze.
VANCOUVER OLYMPIC/PARALYMPIC CENTRE
Curling, Wheelchair Curling
This eco-friendly building, completed in 2009, recycles energy and minimizes water use. Post-Games, it will become a community centre housing a curling rink, ice arena, aquatic centre and library.
PACIFIC COLISEUM
Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating
The newly renovated home of the Vancouver Giants hockey team has been used for everything from concerts and basketball games to ice shows and circuses. Opened in 1968, this 14,200-seat arena was home ice for the Vancouver Canucks until GM Place was completed in 1995.
The award-winning Richmond Olympic Oval
RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL
Speed Skating
Named the 2010 Winter Games’s “sexiest” venue by Omega Lifetime magazine, this new building on the Fraser River keeps racking up awards for its stunning design and eco-friendly building practices. The extraordinary 2.6-hectare (6.5-acre) roof, made from pine-beetle-damaged wood, collects and funnels rainwater, while energy required to make the speed-skating ice is captured and used elsewhere in the building. During the Games, you might notice 13 million cranberries floating in the shapes of a maple leaf and the Olympic rings in the river outside the Oval; this is a tribute to Richmond’s iconic berry. Post-Games, the Oval will house fitness and sports medicine centres, as well as ice rinks, hardwood courts and running tracks.
WHISTLER CREEKSIDE
Alpine Skiing
After several unsuccessful attempts over four decades, Whistler (in partnership with Vancouver) finally won the bid to host the Winter Games. Now Whistler Mountain’s original base, which opened in 1966, has undergone more than $30 million in upgrades to prepare for the monumental event. Men’s alpine skiing events take place on the black-diamond Dave Murray Downhill, the world’s second-longest downhill course, while Franz’s Run hosts the women’s Olympic and all Paralympic alpine events.
WHISTLER OLYMPIC/PARALYMPIC PARK
Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping
Opened in 2008, after years of work and $120 million spent, this sprawling park in the picturesque Callaghan Valley hosts a third of all the Olympic events and half of all the Paralympic events. The park’s elevation ranges between 840 and 930 m (2,756 and 3,051 ft).
THE WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE
Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton
Completed in 2007, this slick new venue is part of an extremely elite club: there are just 15 international-competition sliding tracks in the world. And if the secret to a building’s success is location, location, location, then it has a bright future, indeed. It sits on an area of Blackcomb Mountain called Wild Spirit Place (Kwekwayex Kwelh7aynexw) by the Squamish people and Spirited Ground (A7x7ulmecw) by the Lil’wat people.
CYPRESS MOUNTAIN
Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard
A 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, this area is popular with locals for
The Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver, on False Creek
skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing. In case of mild weather, a snowmaking system (complete with 35 snow guns) guarantees a winter wonderland.
OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC VILLAGE VANCOUVER
Forget about the cost overruns and financing snafus: this billion-dollar village is a wonder to behold. Located on the waterfront in False Creek, with a view of downtown, the low- and mid-rise apartment buildings are housing 3,000 athletes and officials in style during the Games. After, they will be sold as eco-friendly condos.
OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC VILLAGE WHISTLER
In the gorgeous Cheakamus Valley, bordered by forests and the Cheakamus River, this mix of apartments, townhomes and hostels comprises the home-away-from-home for more than 4,000 athletes and officials during the Games.
BC PLACE
For the first time ever, the Winter Games’s opening and closing ceremonies are being held indoors. The nightly victory ceremonies, featuring a stellar line-up of musical acts, also take place inside downtown Vancouver’s 55,000-seat domed stadium, which opened in 1983. Better take a snapshot of the venue’s marshmallow-like roof, since it won’t be around much longer: a state-of-the-art retractable roof will replace it next year.
WHISTLER MEDALS PLAZA
After the Games’s medal presentations and nightly concerts are a mere memory, this outdoor venue’s amphitheatre, children’s play area and performance spaces will still attract locals.
WHISTLER MEDIA CENTRE
Journalists lucky enough to be assigned to Whistler are headquartered in the
The newly expanded Vancouver Convention Centre is the Main Media Centre during the Games
Whistler Conference Centre, which underwent a huge renovation in 2003. The building is now larger—and kinder to the environment.
MAIN MEDIA CENTRE
Media assigned to Vancouver are in for a treat at the newly expanded Vancouver Convention Centre. Its east building, which showed off the city to the world during the Expo ‘86 World’s Fair, and its brand new west building now cover 111,500 sq m (1.2 million sq ft), or four city blocks. Approximately 40% of the west building juts out over the ocean. Its interior walls, made from renewable Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast hemlock, resemble artfully stacked lumber. And its 2.5-hectare (6-acre) living roof—complete with four beehives, a bee-keeper and 400,000 plants—helps the environment.
NHL fans head to GM Place to watch the Canucks play. Photo courtesy SDominick/iStockPhoto
Hockey fever hits Vancouver well before the 2010 Winter Games, as the Canucks take the home ice nine times this month. If you can’t score a ticket to one of the sold-out games in GM Place, don’t worry—just check out any TV screen in any pub or restaurant in town.—Sheri Radford
The Vancouver Canucks. Photo by Jeff Vinnick, courtesy Vancouver Canucks
Hockey fans definitely have something to cheer about, as the local NHL team plays eight home games at GM Place this month. Better ask Santa for a ticket in your stocking—and hope you’re not on the naughty list—since these games always sell out fast.—Sheri Radford
When it comes to public art, there’s no question Vancouver has an animal attraction. First it was orcas, then it was spirit bears. But from now until spring 2010, eagles rule the roost
By Kristina Urquhart
Bald eagles have flocked to Vancouver, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find real feathers on these 2.3-m (7.5-ft) fiberglass birds.
"Under Aurora" by Rod and Connor Charlesworth is perched outside Science World at Quebec Street and Terminal Avenue. An inukshuk, the official logo of the 2010 Winter Games, and Aurora Borealis are painted on the eagle. Photo by KK Law
Canada Place Way at Howe Street is home to "Balancing the Life Giver" by Andrew Dexel (left), "Spiritual Celebrations from East to West" by Andrew Dexel and Mark Anthony Jacobson (middle), and "The Search for Midnight Water" by Mark Anthony Jacobson (right). Photo by Sheri Radford
Eagles in the City is the third installment of public art by the BC Lions Society, following the popular Orcas in the City and Spirit Bears in the City projects. Local artists were commissioned to create a design for each eagle, from First Nations motifs to BC landscapes, and more than 130 birds have been installed in public spaces across Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Whistler, Prince George and BC’s Interior.
BC is not the only area to hone its animal instinct. In 2000, Toronto welcomed Moose in the City, and more than 50 international cities have been included in CowParade, a travelling exhibition of hand-painted bovines, since 1999.
The eagles are on display until April 2010, when they will be auctioned to benefit children’s charities Easter Seals and Canucks for Kids (see below).
For a fun souvenir, stop by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a 156-g (5.5-oz) solid milk chocolate eagle. And don’t forget to pick up a Bald Eagle Flight Path Map at Tourism Vancouver for a bird’s-eye view of where the eagles are nesting.
Inside the Team Store at GM Place, "The Luongo Ealge" by Dean Lauze is a tribute to the Vancouver Canucks and its star goalie, Roberto Luongo. Proceeds from next year's eagle auction will go to Canucks for Kids, which raises money for children's causes such as literacy, health and wellness. Photo by KK Law
Country Stars
It’s the ideal time to throw on a cowboy hat and squeeze into your tightest jeans, when Aussie country superstar Keith Urban (pictured) makes all the cowgirls’ hearts skip a beat at GM Place (Sep. 16). This month also sees the hottest country stars packing their steel guitars to descend on Vancouver for Country Music Week, the highlight of which is the Canadian Country Music Awards (Sep. 13) at GM Place. One of the stars crossing his fingers is Paul Brandt, nominated for Male Artist of the Year. Fans have a chance to see the multi-platinum artist Sep. 11 at Langley Events Centre.
–Leszek Apouchtine
Big Journey
Immerse yourself in Islamic civilization in the 1300s in Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta, at the OMNIMAX Theatre (opens Sep. 18).
Georgina Point, Heritage Park and Lighthouse
Arbutus walk at Bennett Bay
Do you have great photos from your travels in Canada that you'd like to share with us? Submit them to the Where Canada Flickr pool and they'll show up here.
Stay, Dine, Do
