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2010 Paralympic Winter Games Guide:
What, Where and Why you won't want to miss them
March 5, 2010
Vancouver, BC — Just 12 days after the Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games kick off. From March 12 to 21, Vancouver and Whistler will host 1,350 Paralympic athletes and team officials from 44 countries in what will be the first Paralympic Winter Games ever held in Canada.
Inexpensive tickets, plentiful downtown accommodation, a wonderful celebratory atmosphere, and inspiring athletes will make the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games an event not to be missed. Here's a run-down of what you need to know to plan your trip.
Tickets: Paralympic tickets start at just $15! For most Paralympic events, tickets can be purchased on the day of the event, at the venue, or in person at one of the downtown Vancouver 2010 Ticket Centres. For high-demand events (such as ice sledge hockey), advance ticket purchase is recommended. Canadians can purchase advance tickets through Vancouver2010.com, while US and international visitors can purchase tickets through their National Paralympic Committee or the Official Ticket Agent representing their region. Tickets are on sale now.
Accommodation: Rooms at top downtown Vancouver hotels are readily available during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and can be booked through Tourism Vancouver's accommodation page... or also online at 40+ top accommocation sites. Use Tourism Vancouver's new interactive map to choose accommodation near the Paralympic venues.
Events and venues: There are five competition sports taking place during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling will be contested in Vancouver (at UBC Thunderbird Arena and Vancouver Paralympic Centre respectively), while alpine skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing events will be hosted in Whistler. The venues have been specially built or retrofitted for Paralympic competition. For example, UBC Thunderbird Arena will have ice surfaces built into the benches and boxes to ease transition for players from resting areas to the playing surface (a first in Paralympic Winter Games history). Click here for the full 2010 Paralympic Winter Games schedule.
Don't miss:
» Paralympic Torch Relay: Starting in Ottawa on March 3, the Paralympic Torch Relay will see approximately 600 torchbearers carry the torch across Canada.
» 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony (March 12, BC Place): A spectacular event including 1,500 athletes from 45 countries and 4,000 dancers, singers, acrobats, athletes and musicians of all ages.Tbirdstadium 0210(1)
» Gold medal ice sledge hockey game (March 20, UBC Thunderbird Arena): The gold medal ice sledge hockey game is bound to be the most talked about event of the 2010 Paralympic Games. This game is already sold out, but look for resale tickets on the official fan-to-fan marketplace or catch the game at restaurants and bars all across the city.
» Souvenir shopping: The cute plush-toy version of Sumi, the official Paralympic mascot, is the top souvenir of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Sumi, along with other official Paralympic merchandise, is readily available in Vancouver stores.
Where to party and explore during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games:
» LiveCity Downtown (Georgia Street, between Beatty and Cambie Streets): The City of Vancouver-sponsored celebration site will feature giant screens and live performances. Open March 12 to 14 and 18 to 21, from 1pm to 9pm.
» British Columbia's Robson Square Celebration Site (Robson Street, between Hornby and Howe Streets): The GE Ice Plaza at the Robson Square Celebration Site will be one of the major gathering places during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, featuring ice skating, athlete demonstrations, family events and BC-focused programming. The GE Ice Plaza is already open to the public with free skating and public events.
» BC Hydro Power Smart Village (333 Dunsmuir Street): This family-friendly celebration site will feature a dance floor that generates electricity as people dance. A section of the village will be devoted to showcasing Canada's greatest Paralympic moments. Open March 1 to 22 from 10am to 6pm.
» Canada's Northern House (602 West Hastings Street): Canada's Northern House showcases the culture of Canada's three territories including demonstrations of traditional Arctic games, craft displays and live musical events. Open March 1 to 31 from 10am to 5pm.
» Pride House Vancouver (1170 Bute Street): An inclusive, welcome space for LGBT athletes, family, friends and visitors to come together and celebrate.
» Centreplace Manitoba (at LiveCity Downtown): CentrePlace Manitoba features multimedia displays and an exhibit by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Open March 12 from 4pm to 7pm; March 13 to 14 and 18 to 21, from 1pm to 9pm.
About Winter Games 2010 Tickets
Winter Games Tickets - Be at the Games!
Who hasn't huddled around the television set with their family and enjoyed watching the world's best athletes compete for medals in some of the toughest sports on Earth? And who hasn't wished they could be sitting in the stands, watching it all happen live? Now's your chance! Grab Winter Games tickets and see the games in person!
Winter Games Tickets - About the Paralympic Games
The first official Winter Paralympic Games was in 1976 at Ornsköldsvik, Sweden. The movement has grown dramatically since its early days.
Ragnhild Myklebust of Norway holds the record for the most ever medals won at the Winter Paralympic Games. Competing in a variety of events in 1988, 1992, 1994 and 2002, she won a total of 22 medals, of which 17 were gold.
Winter Paralympic Games Tickets - A Delight for Winter Sports Fans
The Paralympic Winter Games are generally smaller than the Winter Olympics, if only because there are fewer countries that have the athletes to support paralympic winter games. They are by no means less exciting and Paralympic Winter Games tickets will get you in to watch all the great events that are planned for the year.
Don't miss out - buy your tickets now!!
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