What's New

Construction, construction, everywhere, both aboveground and beneath it. Why? Because in the summer of 2003, Vancouver was awarded hosting rights to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The excitement in and around the city (where the skating events and some skiing events will be held) and at Whistler Resort (where the skiing and most of the snow events will take place) is palpable. For more information, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Prices are sure to rise for the Olympics, but for now, fabulous restaurants and accommodations in Vancouver and Victoria are still priced lower than those in Toronto, Montreal, or any major U.S. city. This is true even with the weakening value of the U.S. dollar.

For the third year in a row, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine voted Vancouver into the highest ranks of the category "Best City in the Americas" at their annual Readers' Choice Awards. The poll divides cities into five specific geographical divisions including the Americas, which covers Canada, Central America, and South America, and scores them on ambience, friendliness, culture and sites, restaurants, lodging, and shopping.

Transportation

Parts of Vancouver are torn up for the construction of Canada Line, a new light-rail hookup from Vancouver International Airport. When it begins operation in 2009, visitors will be able to board the train at the airport and arrive downtown or in Yaletown in 22 minutes.

Travelers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can now enjoy a first-class lounge experience at one of two new Plaza Premium Lounges that have opened in the Domestic and International Terminals. The lounges are open to all passengers regardless of airline, travel class, or membership programs. The Domestic Terminal Lounge is located past the security checkpoint and features comfortable seating, runway views, business services, Wi-Fi, and refreshments for a nominal C$25 (US$21/£11) entrance fee. The Plaza Premium Lounge at the International Terminal features all of the above, as well as napping stations and showers, for a C$30 (US$25/£13) entrance fee. Lounges are open daily from 6am to 11:30pm. For more information visit www.plaza-ppl.com.

In May 2007, Frontier Airlines began a daily nonstop service between its Denver hub and Vancouver, the first U.S. low-cost carrier to serve Vancouver. The service also allows connection with Frontier's other routes serving 22 U.S. cities.

Accommodations

The same Condé Nast readers' poll that voted Vancouver the best city in the Americas also recognized eight of Vancouver's hotels in the "Top 20 Canada Hotels" category. They include the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver (fifth), Wedgewood Hotel (sixth), The Sutton Place Hotel (seventh), Opus Hotel (ninth), Four Seasons Hotel (17th), and The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (19th).

Situated in Vancouver's downtown, close to the Granville Street entertainment district, the new Moda Hotel, 900 Seymour St. (tel. 604/683-4251), offers lots of style and excellent value. The hotel, located in a 1908 heritage building, recently opened its doors after receiving a significant makeover. Rooms feature a sleekly minimal European look.

Vancouver's newest hotel, the Loden Vancouver, opened in 2007. Located at Melville and Bute streets in downtown Vancouver, the 130-room luxury boutique hotel features a fitness center, spa, restaurant, and guest rooms with 42-inch flat-panel TVs, DVD players, iPod docking stations, cordless speaker phones, and high-speed wireless Internet access.

Dining

After 18 years, Chef Hidekazu Tojo relocated his highly acclaimed Tojo's Restaurant to a stunning new space at 1133 W. Broadway. Designed by sculptor and architect Colin Kwok, the 6,500-square-foot vaulted restaurant is a blend of Zen spatial dynamics, crisp modern forms, and an underlying Japanese sensibility that pervades everything, from the subtle colors to the custom-designed chairs.

In 2007, the always-fabulous West, 2881 Granville St. (tel. 604/738-8938), won Vancouver magazine's prestigious Best Restaurant Award for the third year in a row.

Two new restaurants have opened in Gastown, adding to the area's mini-rejuvenation. Both are inexpensive and very welcome additions to the city's dining scene. Salt, in Blood Alley (tel. 604/633-1912), is Vancouver's only charcuterie, serving cured meats and artisan cheeses. Jules, 216 Abbott St. (tel. 604/669-0033), is a casual French bistro with a great fixed-price dinner.

Another new spot in Gastown, Mink, A Chocolate Café, 863 W. Hastings St. (tel. 604/633-2451), caters to chocoholics with delicious chocolate drinks and handcrafted bonbons.

Attractions & Sightseeing

Gale-force winds in December 2006 wreaked havoc on Stanley Park, toppling thousands of trees and damaging fully one-sixth of this beautiful urban forest park. For everyone who knows and loves Stanley Park, this was a heartbreaking event. Expect some hiking trails to be closed well into 2008.

Chef and Chauffeur (www.chefandchauffeur.com) has launched three tours of the Fraser Valley, located about an hour east of the city. The chauffeured tours visit a variety of wineries, farms, bakeries, and cheese makers. Optional dinner add-ons are available with a choice of remaining in the Fraser Valley or dining back in the city.

2010 Winter Olympics Update

A countdown clock, unveiled in 2007 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, ticks off the remaining days, hours, minutes, and seconds to the opening ceremony for both the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Construction of The Richmond Oval, where 12 speed-skating events will be held, began in November 2006. The facility will house a 400m track along with seating for 8,000 spectators. Post-Games, the Oval will become a multipurpose sports, recreation, and wellness facility. Along with an adjoining waterfront plaza and park, it will be the centerpiece of a major new City Centre community to be developed on 13 hectares (32 acres) along the banks of the Fraser River.

Construction is also underway on Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, the facility will host the men's and women's curling competitions for the Games, as well as the wheelchair curling tournament for the Paralympic Games. The facility, scheduled for completion in 2008, will seat 6,000 during Olympic competitions. Post-Games, Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park will become a community recreation center that will include an ice hockey rink, gymnasium, library, and a new aquatic center with a 50m (164-ft.) lap and leisure pool. The multipurpose center has been designed using leading environmental and business practices.

It's also been announced that the freestyle skiing site at West Vancouver's Cypress Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park is now competition-ready, more than 3 years before the Games are to be held. The mountain, just 30 minutes from downtown, will serve as the venue for snowboarding, freestyle skiing, and the new ski cross events. In winter 2008, Cypress will open nine new runs for high-level intermediate/expert skiers and snowboarders, a 40% increase in the mountain's skiable terrain.