Host Cities (Vancouver, Richmond, Whistler)

Vancouver

Vancouver is Host City of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, the City of Vancouver is recognized as one of the world's most liveable cities, renowned for its innovative programs and leading in the areas of sustainability, accessibility and inclusiveness.

Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia. It's surrounded by water on three sides and is nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range. Vancouver is home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core, and boasts one of the mildest climates in Canada.

The Greater Vancouver region is home to more than two million people in 21 municipalities, making it the third largest metropolitan area in Canada.

For more information, visit www.vancouver.ca.

Whistler

Nestled in the Coast Mountains, only 40 km inland from the Pacific Ocean, and 120 km from one of Canada's largest urban centres, Whistler Resort provides a Canadian west coast mountain experience with snowy winters and moderate temperatures.

Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains offer the highest lift-serviced vertical and the largest terrain of any ski area in North America, with large alpine bowls and forested glades, expert grooming and ski runs that last forever. Check Whistler-Blackcomb.com for all the details.

And there are plenty of other activities year round to entice visitors, including hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, mountain biking, golf, tennis, in-line skating and sailing in summer to snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, skating, hockey and, of course, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, along with fine dining and shopping in award-winning Whistler Village. Whistler's range of accommodation and conference facilities make it an ideal choice for meeting planner’s spring through fall.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is the Host Mountain Resort and a member partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and will host the Nordic, alpine and sliding events of the Olympic Games from February 12 to 28, 2010 and most of the Paralympic Games, from March 12 to 21, 2010.

For more information, visit www.whistler.ca.

Richmond (Venue City)

The City of Richmond is located on Canada's Pacific Coast in the province of British Columbia. Richmond is a unique island city, favourably located within the Metro Vancouver in close proximity to downtown Vancouver and the U.S. border. It is comprised of a series of islands nested in the mouth of the Fraser River with the coastal mountain range as a backdrop. The islands include Sea Island, most of Lulu Island, and fifteen smaller islands.

The City of Richmond has built a world class multi-use community facility, which will host the long track speed skating competition for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The City will develop a showcase multi-purpose facility on a prominent waterfront site on River Road. Post-Games, the multi-use facility will provide an active venue that harmoniously brings together summer and winter sports, recreation, culture, business and environment in one pristine location.

For more information, visit www.richmond.ca.