Visitor Guide
Three New Views of Olympic Vancouver
By John Burns published Feb 3, 2010
Three novel ways to see the city during the Olympic mayhem
From Russia With Lub
The Russian four-masted barque Kruzenshtern—114 metres of German-made tall ship—sails into North Vancouver's Burrard Dry Dock (next to Lonsdale Quay) during the festivities. According to Canadian agent Rocky Rocksborough-Smith, a commercial license from Ottawa was imminent, which means that in addition to dockside visits, you should be able to board the Kruzenshtern for a tour of Burard Inlet, Russian pirate-style! Arrives February 10.
Details on the North Shore.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
From Russia to Belgium, we hop the Olympic Line, the modern "Flexity" streetcar running between Granville Island and Olympic Village, on loan from the Belgian transit authority until March 21. The free 1.8-kilometre trip runs every 6 to 10 minutes from 6:30 am to 12:30 pm daily, and deposits you in spitting distance of the Island madnes on the one side and a five-minute walk from Sochi World (once Science World) on the other—Sochi World, the Russia House of the Olympics, will be agog with its own excitement over its position as imcoming host for the 2014 Games. The result of an $8.5 million investment by the city, this enhanced streetcar is meant to grow over time into downtown and Stanley Park. Get in on the ground floor. Runs now to March 21.
Details on False Creek.
Life on the Line
Wandering Robsonstrasse, Schnoodle in your Snugli, you've felt a lack at the heat of your life, an emptiness that no amount of repeat trips to the eyebrow-touchup bar seems able to fill. What you've lacked, dear, is a diagonal descent at top speed across the madding crowd. Ziptrek freewheels you from a tower eight storeys above the law courts for 170 metres of above-the-crowds glee. Free; organizers expect to accommodate 1,000 people (30 kilos plus) a day. Runs February 12 to February 28.
Details on Downtown Vancouver.
