We have tickets for the open ceremonies for Feb. 12, 2010. So far we haven't been able to find a hotel near Vancouver for that weekend. We don't really want to stick around for too long, as we didn't get any other events from the lottery. Most hotels I've talked to said they have been designated "Media Properties." Will there be space for people like us, or will we have to drive in and out of Seattle or somewhere else for the night?

Posted By MONichols on April 2, 2009, 2:36 PM

How much are tickets to the Ski Jumping or Figure Skating? How do you buy them? What are the dates?

Posted By Keith on April 2, 2009, 5:24 PM

I got tickets through Cosport.com for US citizens but there are all sold out for individuals but they still have packages. If you are Canadian, they are going to start selling Phase 2 first come first served tickets on Vancouver2010.com

My question is how likely is it to get additional tickets at the Olympics? Where would you get them? Official agencies or from other people on the street?

Posted By klbears on April 2, 2009, 5:40 PM

We got tickets via Cosport.com for USA purchasers. I started looking for lodging immediately. Most hotels are booked for media. Check out the Bed and Breakfasts. Most B&B's are doing 1 week bookings however, are willing to try and assist howwever they can. They are concerned they will take bookings and people no show.We got reservations at one within 1 mile of the hockey venue! The Candians are hyped and ready!!Go to Info@vancouver2010.com for all the scoop.

Posted By Shelly on April 2, 2009, 6:12 PM

Since most of the high-demand tickets have already been sold through the lottery, what will be the best way to get tickets without getting them during the event in Vancouver? Also, will hotel rooms become more available once the event gets closer?

Posted By Ross on April 2, 2009, 8:13 PM

My friend and I are planning to attend the Opening Ceremonies and stay for the weekend. We're both college students, so are hotels the best (and cheapest) route for us? Are there any alternatives to hotels (B&Bs, hostels, etc.) near Vancouver? We're also flying in from the Midwest, so I was wondering if a car rental would be needed to get us around Vancouver.

Posted By Megan Greve on April 3, 2009, 9:13 AM

Having been to Whistler, we know the drive from Vancouver can be tortuous. Will there be many additional buses REGULARLY SCHEDULED between these two sites, and if so, must you reserve very far ahead?

Posted By BAM on April 3, 2009, 9:35 AM

Hope I can help answer some questions..
hotels will be releasing more space soon as the space reserved for sponsors, media and 'Olympic family'is revised. Keep trying. There are alternatives like B&Bs, hostels and even private homes opening up. Getting tickets will be tricky - maybe easier, more reliable, but pricier through official agencies. Don't bother renting a car if you're staying close to downtown - traffic will be gridlocked & transit will be OK. The road to Whistler will ONLY be for buses or private cars with resident parking passes.

Posted By Carcase on April 3, 2009, 11:12 AM

I was told that US citizens would be able to buy individual tickets during phase two as well, is this true? and how early in advance should I book my flight? Also what is a nice/ very close place to stay?

Posted By Katy on April 3, 2009, 2:09 PM

I attempted to get tickets through the US lottery but didn't get any. I was hoping to get some tickets to events like bobseld or alpine skiing in Whistler; when and where would I be able to get these?

Since Whistler has a lot of resorts, would it be cheaper to stay in Vancover and travel to Whistler each day?

Posted By Audie on April 3, 2009, 5:48 PM

Are there any good books (besides this magazine and website) that give advice on how to navigate through the Olympic experience?

Posted By Deb Helbig on April 3, 2009, 5:57 PM

Here we go again: the waste, the drugs, the unwarranted hype. Has anybody calculated how much fuel is wasted just getting competitors to the games? Does anybody really care about what a waste the entire Olympics is?. Wake up Vancouver: you are a beautiful city, you don´t need this to survive: cancel it now before your tax payers have to come up with the money to cover the deficit. And as for your tax payers, they probably won´t even have the chance to see anything, as Ticketmaster and the other ticket brokers will ensure that you are shut out.

Posted By abel marquez on April 3, 2009, 9:29 PM

Hope to answer a few questions; I am from Vancouver and tickets are very hard to come by. Only one of my friends got tickets in the lottery. We all(40 friends) applied. I have a funny feeling it will be scalper city and pay through the nose. Now as to hotels, I went to the Obama Inauguration. Hotels were a nightmare. I suggest that you start posting online craigslist and see if any family is hosting or renting a room in their home. The Rotary Club in Washington found a host for me during the inaug. I didn't have to pay anything and the lady was so lovely we are now fast friends. This was my first time doing something like that but I had no other choice hotels were sold out or waaay overpriced. My experience was wonderful due to the kindness of my host. Try to get a place downtown. Now as to transit the Skytrain (ALRT) is fantastic and easy to get around. But you want to be near one of the stations. I feel traffic will be gridlocked every day since there are no freeways in the city only 2 sided lane streets but remember WE PARALLEL PARK in Vancouver!! So the right lane always is stopped by someone trying to park. So only one lane is free. The car rental depends on your hotel location. I was born and raised in Vancouver. Now I currently reside in Los Angeles. So I know my share of traffic situations and after the Obama/Inaug trip I now know the sold out hotel situations and what its like to be around 2 million people. If you have event tickets and no hotel dont leave it to the last minute hoping something will open up. If you have a place to stay but no tickets no worry the scaplers will be out in full force. If you don't have tickets or a hotel don't bother unless your very rich. For my Inaug/trip one of my options was to rent a big suv and bring my sleeping bag to sleep in it then going to a 24 hour gym and showering there. Or rent an rv. For Audie; Travelling from Whistler to Vancouver every day would be very time consuming and expensive even if you could get a round trip ticket on the bus or train.

Posted By Tina from Vancouver on April 6, 2009, 12:29 AM

Help! If we want to do a side trip to Vancouver Island, is it realistic to try to add that in over a one=day period? And do any people plan to stay in Nanaimo (near the ferry) but then go to Olympic events the same day? I keep hearing that it will be crowded in Vancouver and have also heard that the island is beautiful. Any thoughts?

Posted By laurie on April 6, 2009, 11:24 AM

For Laurie: Good thought to try a Vancouver Island stay - but the ferry travel will be 2+ hours each way. A good chunk of your day spent on the boat. For an island experience, you could try an accommodation search on Bowen Island - a small island off West Vancouver, on the road to Whistler. There's a few small inns, and many B&Bs. And the ferry ride is only 20 mins.

As for all the ticketing questions - start with the official website to get the correct facts www.vancouver 2010.com

Posted By Carcase on April 6, 2009, 3:16 PM

For those who are having trouble getting a hotel in downtown Vancouver, you might try some of the hotels in outlying suburbs, as long as the hotel is near one of the skytrain lines. I'm thinking of the Executive Inn in Burnaby, a mid-class hotel within walking distance of the skytrain station as a possibility.

Posted By Bonnie on April 8, 2009, 4:06 PM

Anyone getting as far as Vancouver really should see Vancouver Island, a paradise if ever there was one. It's a little rainy during winter but has a mild climate and usually no snow. The trip from Vancouver to Victoria is about 4 hours, allowing for the drive out to the ferries at Tswassan (45 minutes from downtown Vancouver) and 30 minutes from Swartz Bay to the centre of Victoria. The actual ferry trip is one hour and thirty five minutes and about the same for Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. If you are lucky, you may see sea lions, whales and dolphins.

Posted By Noreen Lerch on April 16, 2009, 7:57 AM

It is very well recommended to explore Vancouver Island on your trip, if possible. The place is exceedingly beautiful and renowned for a great diversity of wildlife. Have a nice time.

Posted By Kevin wang on April 18, 2009, 10:39 AM

We are thinking about a trip to Whistler in mid December. Any idea of how pre-Olympic preparation might impact overall availability and skiing? Thanks.

Posted By MMMarkkk on October 7, 2009, 12:14 PM