‘Beautiful British Columbia’ – it’s the motto on every vehicle’s license plate in Canada’s westernmost province. And Vancouver, BC’s largest city and host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is definitely part of that claim.

Those lucky enough to score tickets to this year’s Vancouver Games will not only be able to enjoy shiny new Olympic venues, but also an array of outdoor attractions, hipster hangouts and diverse dining options in this laidback land. And let’s not forget Vancouver’s breathtaking views of beaches, snow-capped mountains and waterfront forests.

This city certainly has it good.

The Olympic Ticket

Ah, the coveted golden ticket – how to snatch one up? Tickets first went on sale to Canadian residents in October 2008, and most of them are now long gone.

Yet Olympic Games enthusiasts living outside Canada may still get lucky as non-Canadian residents, regardless of citizenship, must purchase tickets through the official agent representing their National Olympic Committee. For example, China residents should buy tickets from the China International Sports Exchange Center (Tel: 010 6712 2480).

You can also try purchasing available tickets in-person when you arrive in Vancouver. Head to the main ticket centres located in downtown Vancouver and at the Whistler Medals Plaza, or try the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre. Each Olympic Winter Games venue will also have an on-site box office, which opens on the first day of competition.

You can also visit www.vancouver2010.com, where a fan-to-fan marketplace reselling initiative was unveiled in December. This new ticketing option allows ticket holders to sell their Olympic tickets to winter sports fans around the world.

Vancouver Main Ticket Centre. Robson Square, Robson Street between Hornby Street and Howe Street, downtown Vancouver. Tel: 1 800 842 5387. Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre. 200 Burrard Street, downtown Vancouver. Tel: +604 683 2000. Web: www.vancouver2010.com

To Do

Of course, you don’t have to witness any Olympic events to delight in Whistler and Vancouver. Whether you make BC a destination before, during or after the Olympics, there are a variety of activities to please all kinds of shopaholics, jocks, foodies and tree-huggers. Check out Vancouver’s museums and art galleries for a lesson on First Nations culture, enjoy a dim sum breakfast in its charming Chinatown, or head to Granville Street (between Nelson and Robson Streets) for some night club action.

For the active, a walk, jog, bike or rollerblade around the 10 kilometre Stanley Park seawall – a flat path encircling most of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park – is a must. You’ll have to bundle up during the winter, but it’s definitely worth a trip for its photo opportunities.

Inside Stanley Park’s 400 hectares are totem poles and majestic cedar, hemlock and fir trees, in addition to the Vancouver Aquarium – a perfect stop for those with kids in tow (www.vanaqua.org).

Skiers and snowboarders should hit Whistler Blackcomb’s slopes, which is about two hours away from Vancouver by car, and will have more than 90 per cent of its terrain open even throughout the Olympic Games (www.whistlerblackcomb.com). More conveniently, just 15 minutes from downtown, all of Grouse Mountain’s snow and dining facilities will remain open 24/7 for the duration of the Games   (www.grousemountain.com).