Vancouver to Keep Party Going 24/7 During Winter Olympics

Riffing on a great idea developed by the festive Italians during the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, where White Nights celebrations featured dusk to dawn parties, Canadians are one-upping the fun by also offering 24/7 skiing and other activities.  Beginning in February,  2010 Olympic host Vancouver will open up the Grouse Mountain ski resort 24-hours-a-day for a full slate of activities. Just minutes by car from the city’s downtown core, the 24/7 schedule will remain in effect for the duration of the Feb. 12-28 Games. Visitors too busy taking in Olympic action to hit the slopes during the day can ski the night away on the mountain’s 26 runs, many of which offer panoramic views of the city.
“The entire resort is open 24/7, everything from ziplining to skiing, dining, sleigh riding, snowboarding and skating,” says William Mbaho, PR Manager at Grouse Mountain.

The idea grew out of a desire to be accessible to busy Olympic fans, especially international travelers whose body clocks might still be set to time in Europe or Asia. “We have a lot of international guests and media coming from all corners of the earth,” Mbaho adds. “We want to be accessible to people in their own time zones.”

Late-night skiers will also have the chance to watch NBC’s Today show live. The morning news program will broadcast from the top of Grouse Mountain throughout the Olympics, starting bright and early at 4 a.m. to accommodate East Coast viewers. “Imagine a midnight skate to music, skiing beneath the stars and then starting the day with the Today show,” says Mbaho. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for everybody to celebrate the spirit of the Games.”After-hours ski passes for Grouse, which allow unlimited access from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. every night during the Olympic Games, are bargain-priced at $150.