VANCOUVER AND WHISTLER QUICK FACTS

May 2007

The Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has compiled this information from a variety of Internet sources.

GEOGRAPHY Canada, the second largest country in the world, consists of 10 provinces and three territories in five main regions: the Atlantic region, Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North. Vancouver and Whistler are situated on the West Coast, in the province of British Columbia.

The city of Vancouver, next to the Pacific Ocean, is surrounded by water on three sides and is framed by the Coast Mountains. Whistler, a mountain resort located approximately 126 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, comprises 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and 551 acres of parkland. The base elevation of the town of Whistler is 668 metres (2192 feet). The peak elevations of the two mountains, the Blackcomb and the Whistler, are 2,284 metres (7,494 feet) and 2,182 metres (7,160 feet), respectively.

POLITICAL STRUCTURE Canada is both a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic system of government. Powers are divided between the federal government and the provinces and territories. The Canadian government is led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, of the Conservative Party of Canada. Queen Elizabeth II, formally the Head of State, delegates her duties to the Governor-General, Michaëlle Jean.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa, located in the province of Ontario, in the Central region.

POPULATION About 32.8 million people live in Canada. Approximately 560,000 call the city of Vancouver home, while the population of Greater Vancouver consists of more than two million people. Whistler is home to more than 9,000 permanent residents in addition to 4,500 seasonal and part-time residents.

TIME ZONE The majority of British Columbia is in the Pacific Time Zone, eight hours behind Greenwich, or Universal Coordinated Time (UCT). During Daylight Saving Time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, British Columbia is seven hours ahead of UCT. A small portion of the province, bordering the Rocky Mountains, is in the Mountain Time Zone, one hour ahead of the Pacific Time Zone.

LANGUAGES English and French are Canada’s two official languages. In the province of British Columbia the predominant language is English.

Unofficially, Vancouver may be considered multilingual due to the diverse cultural backgrounds of its population base. The most common languages spoken after English are Chinese, Punjabi, French, Japanese, German, Italian and Tagalog (Filipino).

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Many banks, hotels, shops and tourist destinations in British Columbia have multilingual staff who are ideally suited to serving an international clientele.

CLIMATE In Vancouver, summers are warm while winters are mild and wet. With average high temperatures of 22° Celsius (72° Fahrenheit) in the summer and 6° Celsius (43° Fahrenheit) in the winter, the climate is temperate throughout the year. Summer evenings can be cool. Beginning in November, and throughout the winter season, the climate is wet, but it rarely snows.

Whistler is located in the Coast Mountain Range of British Columbia. The alpine areas of Whistler receive an average annual snowfall of 914 cm (30 feet) and due to Whistler’s coastal proximity, temperatures are moderate through the winter season, rarely dipping below -10°C in the valley and -15°C in the alpine during the coldest part of the year. Expect -5°C average daily alpine temperatures during most of the winter months.

ELECTRICITY Voltage in Canada is 110 and the frequency of electrical current is 60 Hz. Electrical outlets are the same as in the United States. For electrical appliances from other countries adapters and/or converters are required.

MEASUREMENT Canada uses the International System of Units also known as metric. Temperatures are measured in degrees Celsius, length in metres and mass in kilograms.

TELEPHONE AREA CODES AND DIALLING PREFIXES The area code for Greater Vancouver and Whistler are either (604) or (778). The rest of British Columbia has an area code of (250).

When dialling calls in the Vancouver region, the full 10-digit number must be dialled. For calls to other regions of British Columbia, the rest of Canada and the United States or Mexico, the digit 1 must be dialled first. All other long-distance calls require the international dialling prefix 011 for a direct-dialled phone, or 001 for an operator-assisted call.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Vancouver has a modern public transportation network, operated by TransLink, which includes trains, rapid transit, buses and passenger-only SeaBus ferries. For information on routes, schedules and fares visit www.translink.bc.ca.

Within Whistler, buses are available year-round. Most are accessible to people with a disability. A loop around the central part of town is available, free of charge, while extended for-fee service extends throughout Whistler and its neighbourhoods. This service is provided by the Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE). For details visit www.busonline.ca/regions/whi.

Note that Whistler is primarily a pedestrian mall. Once in Whistler, a vehicle is not usually required. Public transportation is often more convenient, and more affordable, than renting a car and paying for parking. This philosophy fits with Whistler’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For information on transportation between Vancouver and Whistler, including public transportation, shuttle bus, plane and helicopter options, visit www.tourismwhistler.com/www/plan_your_trip/transportation_providers.asp.

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AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is approximately a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver and a two-hour drive from Whistler.

There are various options for transferring from the Vancouver International Airport to Vancouver and Whistler. To transfer to Whistler the best options are either a direct bus from the airport (www.perimeter.com) or a car rental (available at the air terminal). To transfer to Vancouver, there are many more options, including scheduled shuttles, taxis, limousine services, car rentals and public transportation. A one-way taxi ride between the Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver costs approximately $25-$35 CAD. A train link from the Vancouver Airport to downtown Vancouver is currently under construction and scheduled to open in November 2009.

For information on transportation to and from Vancouver visit www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/transportation/getting_around/getting_to_the_airport.

For information on transportation to and from Whistler visit www.tourismwhistler.com/www/plan_your_trip/bus_airport.asp.

TAXIS Taxis may be hailed, easily in downtown Vancouver. They can also be booked by calling one of the following numbers:

Yellow Cab 1 (800) 898 8294 (604) 681 1111

Vancouver Taxi (604) 871 1111

Black Top & Checker Cabs (604) 731 1111

MacLure’s Cabs (604) 683 6666 or (604) 731-9211

Credit cards may be used in some taxis. It is best to ask the taxi company in advance about this service at the time of booking.

A standard tip of 10%-15% is customary for the driver.

DRIVING LAWS A valid driver’s licence is required to operate a motor vehicle in British Columbia. International driver’s licences, US State driver’s licences and licences from other countries are accepted and valid. However, an international driver’s licence is recommended for those who hold driver’s licences in a language other than English.

British Columbia law requires safety belts for all occupants of private vehicles. Residents must secure their children weighing up to 18 kg (40 lbs.) in infant car seats. For non-resident visitors, infant car seats are required for children weighing up to 9 kg (20 lbs.).

Drivers are required to keep their vehicle headlights on at all times while driving, during both day and night.

Operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of more than 0.08% is a criminal offence.

Motorcycle and bike helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

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TRAVELERS WITH A DISABILITY Vancouver and Whistler provide a high level of accessibility for people with a disability. For specific information regarding the Vancouver International Airport, transportation, recreation, accommodation, as well as associations and institutes, please visit for Vancouver: www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/travel_tips/special_needs_travelers for Whistler: www.tourismwhistler.com/www/about_whistler/diabled_travellers.asp

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS Vancouver and Whistler offer remarkable cultural programs, including art exhibitions, theatre, performing arts and a large variety of festivals.

Vancouver highlights include the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Science World, the Vancouver Opera, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the British Columbia Ballet.

For comprehensive 12-month event calendars, and listings of annual festivals and attractions, visit for Vancouver: www.vancouver.com/things_to_do/events/index.htm www.vancouverattractions.com. for Whistler: www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/index.htm www.tourismwhistler.com/www/events/annual_festivals.asp

Information on performing arts events in Vancouver can be found in the free weekly newspaper The Georgia Straight (www.straight.com) and in the Thursday edition of one of Vancouver’s daily newspapers including The Vancouver Sun (www.canada.com/vancouversun). Information on cultural events in Whistler is available in the free weekly publication The Pique (also online at www.piquenewsmagazine.com) or in the Whistler Question (www.whistlerquestion.com).

ABORIGINAL PEOPLE The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be held on the traditional and shared traditional territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations – known collectively as the Four Host First Nations (www.fourhostfirstnations.com). These Nations have co-existed as neighbours for centuries. They have used and occupied the lands and waters of their traditional territories since time immemorial.

Aboriginal is a collective name for the indigenous peoples of Canada and is used to refer to the original or First peoples of this land and their descendants. On occasion, the term Native Canadian is also used to refer to an Aboriginal person in Canada.

Within Canada, there are three groups of Aboriginal peoples, all with a unique aboriginal culture - Indians, Métis and Inuit. These are three separate peoples with unique history, heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

Throughout Canada, there are societies (or bands) of Aboriginal people who share the same geographic, political or aboriginal culture and linguistic lines. They are referred to as First Nations. In British Columbia there are 198 First Nations, more than in any other province or territory in Canada.

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Each First Nation has its own art, language, aboriginal culture and traditions. In the province of British Columbia you will find the traditional lands of the Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Nisga, Dene, Nuu-chah-nulth, Sto:lõ, Squamish, Secwepemc, Okanagan and Ktunaxa, to name just a few.

To learn more about Canada’s Aboriginal culture and heritage visit www.aboriginalbc.com and www.ainc-inac.gc.ca.

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS Vancouver is home to the (National Hockey League), the British Columbia Lions (Canadian Football League), the (Baseball, Northwest League), the Whitecaps Men and Whitecaps Women (Soccer, USL First Division and W-League) and the Vancouver Ravens (, ).

SHOPPING Retailers are usually open seven days per week. Store hours vary depending on the district, but are generally open from 9:30 to 18:00. Most malls are open extended hours Wednesday through Friday, often until 21:00. During the peak seasons in Whistler, many retailers stay open until 22:00 or later. A number of large retail stores, some restaurants and nearly every hotel remain open 24 hours a day in both Whistler and Vancouver.

There are 11 statutory holidays celebrated annually in British Columbia, when banks and some businesses remain closed. Restaurants, theatres and smaller grocery stores, however, typically remain open.

2007 2008 2009 2010 New Year’s Day Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1 Good Friday Apr 6 Mar 21 Apr 10 Apr 2 Easter Monday Apr 9 Mar 24 Apr 13 Apr 5 Victoria Day May 21 May 19 May 18 May 24 Canada Day Jul 1 Jul 1 Jul 1 Jul 1 BC Day Aug 6 Aug 4 Aug 3 Aug 2 Labour Day Sep 3 Sep 1 Sep 7 Sep 6 Thanksgiving Oct 8 Oct 13 Oct 12 Oct 11 Remembrance Day Nov 11 Nov 11 Nov 11 Nov 11 Christmas Day Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25 Boxing Day Dec 26 Dec 26 Dec 26 Dec 26

RELIGION Most of the world’s leading religious denominations are represented in Vancouver, including Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Christian Science, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, , the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Judaism, Unitarianism, Hinduism, Sikhism and most Protestant faiths. Many of these denominations also have places of worship in Whistler.

DRINKING LAW In British Columbia the legal drinking age is 19. Those under age 19 are not allowed into bars and pubs though there are some establishments in Whistler with special resort licences that allow children to accompany their parents during the daytime and early hours of the evening.

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SMOKING LAW Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, on public transit, in shopping malls and in most restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and casinos. Some restaurants and other establishments have designated smoking areas outdoors. Over the past 10 years the number of smokers has declined dramatically, and the trend continues in this direction. There are fewer and fewer places where smokers are permitted to ‘light up.’

PAYMENT METHODS Visitors are advised to use Canadian currency (Canadian dollars) when travelling within Canada. Although some hotels, stores and restaurants accept US and other foreign currencies at pre- determined rates, it is useful to have local currency on hand before arriving in Canada. Most establishments in Whistler will accept US currency at a rate that is determined each week by the local tourist board. These rates are published in the local papers and posted on cash registers at Whistler establishments. Currency may be exchanged at Canadian chartered banks, trust companies and credit unions, or at offices of foreign exchange brokers.

Traveller’s cheques in Canadian dollars, and major credit cards, are accepted in most stores and restaurants.

There is a wide network of automated teller machines (ATMs) that dispense cash using international networks. Retailers often accept bankcards with Interac or Plus alliances as a method of payment.

GRATUITIES The standard tip for waiters, taxi drivers, barbers and hairdressers is up to 15% of the bill’s total amount before taxes. Note that some restaurant establishments automatically include gratuity to the bill for larger groups of eight or more persons. Bellhops and carriers at hotels, airports and train stations are generally tipped $1 CAD per item.

TAXES In addition to the 6% Goods and Service Tax (GST) that applies to most goods and services purchased in Canada, consumers in British Columbia pay a 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST). Until April 1, 2007, visitors to Vancouver are eligible for a refund of the PST under the ‘Visitor Rebate Program.’ More information phone the Visitor Rebate Program is available by phoning 1.800.668.4748 (toll-free within Canada) or +902.432.5608 (outside Canada), or by visiting www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/qa-e.html.

EMERGENCIES Call 911 for police, fire department and ambulance.

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