Top 5 Reasons Vancouver & Whistler Could be Screwed for the Olympics

When I was at the Frost & Sullivan conference this week in Anaheim, some Americans asked me if Vancouver was ready for the Olympics. Come to think of it, we're not, I thought. And we could be screwed. Why?

1. Transportation Nightmare a la Pemberton Festival


You think Vancouver traffic is already bad. Have you tried driving up to Whistler from Vancouver of a Friday night lately? We got stuck 5 km south of Squamish in what we thought must have been a big car accident. 45 minutes later, we realized that it was just the traffic slowing down at the 2 traffic lights leading up to Squamish. Are you kidding me? Was Pemberton Festival not a clear lesson in 10,000 people not fitting on a single-lane street?



2. Street People Shooting Up in Broad Daylight

Now that I drive from East Van to Downtown every day and back from home to work, I pass through Hastings and Main every day. And every day, I see the same shit right across the street from the police station. Some advice to tourists - keep your eyes forward, do not look them in the eye, do not hit them, do not honk when they jay-walk right in front of your car, do not unlock your car doors. Residents understand that this is a complex problem to solve. But it's not good for those right-wing American tourists.

3. Restaurant shortage in Whistler

When we were in Whistler last weekend, we stayed at the fabulous Nita Lake Lodge (by the way, which have the most kick-ass bathrooms that I've ever seen!). Since one of the couples in our group had their baby with them, our plan was to get some nice take-out Thai or Chinese, and have a nice night in. We called 5 places. 5. All of them said they would NOT deliver. Could not deliver. Their kitchens were too busy with dine-in guests. WTF - are you serioues? The volume of people in town was for Gay Ski Week. There may be lots of gay people in town. But this is not the Olympics people. Can we get some food please??

4. Cab Shortage

You think it's hard getting a cab in Vancouver or Whistler now? Wait till all the tourists and athletes hit our city!

5. Residents vs. Tourists: Get a Move On, People!

Couldn't think of anything else, except to say that there are going to be so many tourists in our city, that I don't think us residents understand the sheer volume of people that will be here, and the congestion it will cause all over the city. Not just traffic, not just in restaurants and hotels, not just getting a cab. But I get the feeling that having so many people here is going to be a little annoying for those of us used to moving around quickly in our own city. Even yesterday, for example, coming home from LA and arriving at YVR, I was right behind 2 big flights that had just landed from London and Taiwan. Large groups of winter tourists with snowboards and ski bags in their carts, walking ever so slowly through the luggage, customs and exit area. Too many people, walking too slowly, looking around. A little annoying for those of us that just want to get out and get home. I'm looking forward to the Olympics, but not looking forward to these types of crowds!