The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic dates are February 12 to 28, followed on March 12 to 21 by the Paralympics Winter Games.
Visitors to the Olympics are already starting to organize their trips and many will need to consider accommodation options in Vancouver’s surrounding areas such as the Tri-Cities of, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
This area is located at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet, which flows from Vancouver, and is one of the city’s fastest growing regions. Port Moody in particular is an outdoor lover’s dream and boasts beautiful mountain and maritime vistas.
Those interested in the beauty of the local wilderness will find Buntzen Lake recreation area open all year round. The lake is surrounded by forest-covered mountains, which contain many well-maintained hikes of varying difficulty.
Port Moody is also the self-described “City of the Arts” and has numerous galleries and arts facilities, as well as a diverse mix of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and markets. It is a vibrant community with great shopping and dining, and several spas and wellness centres in the historic Moody Centre and the modern Newport Village.
Visitors seeking the convenience of indoor shopping will find over 200 stores at the nearby Coquitlam Centre mall.
The Tri-Cities’ artistic talents are on show at the dozen or so local art galleries; the Port Moody Civic Centre, which hosts live artistic performances, special events and theatre; and at the Port Moody Arts Centre, which has four galleries and a gift shop.
Ski/snowboard buffs should visit the North Shore Mountains’ excellent ski facilities. Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain, the latter which will host freestyle skiing and snowboard during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, are located less than an hour’s drive from the Tri-Cities.
Port Moody is 23 km (14.5 mi) from Vancouver, and 140 km (87 mi), or approximately 2 hours from Whistler.
For more Metro Vancouver details visit www.2010DestinationPlanner.com.
I’ve already had an inquiry from Janne in Finland so I need to clarify that my Metro Vancouver residential real estate business, based in Port Moody, does not include finding rental accommodation. If on the other hand you wish to buy (or sell) then you’ve come to the right place.