Bring an umbrella, be prepared for delays at the border, and other tips for visiting Vancouver

Vancouver tips: Prepare for rain, border delays

Here are some tips for planning a trip to Vancouver.

WEATHER: Winter in Vancouver means rain, so pack an umbrella. February temperatures in Vancouver are usually in the 30s and 40s, while temperatures at Whistler are typically in the 20s and 30s, often with snow or rain. In December 2008, a snowstorm paralyzed Vancouver International Airport, and Air Canada, which is the official airline for the Winter Olympic games, canceled hundreds of flights.

CURRENCY: The U.S. dollar has lost more than a third of its value against the Canadian dollar, known as the loonie, since Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Games seven years ago. In July 2003, a U.S. dollar was worth $1.40 in Canadian money. Today, the U.S. dollar is roughly at parity with the loonie, worth about $1.03 Canadian.

GETTING THERE: You can fly into Vancouver International Airport from many international destinations. You can also drive to Vancouver, crossing the land border with Washington State in several places, or come by ferry from Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

BORDER CROSSINGS: Officials are expecting to handle a million border crossings during February — about the same as during a busy summer month. Extra Customs officers and staff will be in place at all border entry points, including the Douglas, Pacific Highway, Huntingdon and Aldergrove land crossings from the U.S. into British Columbia. There will even be a team at Pacific Highway just to deal with buses.

Still, the Canada Border Services Agency advises travelers to build extra time into schedules for crossing the border. You can check border wait times, updated hourly, at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/.

BORDER REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens entering Canada must show proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification. Details at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/. A criminal conviction, including a DUI, could make a person inadmissible to Canada.

To return to the U.S. from Canada by air, you must have a passport.

To return to the U.S. from Canada by land or sea, you must show a passport, passport card, enhanced driver’s license or other document approved by the U.S. State Department. Details at www.travel.state.gov.

GETTING AROUND: The city’s newest light rail line connects the airport with downtown. A ride on the Skytrain is great for an initial exploration, as well as for incredible views. Buses are generally efficient, but the best way to explore Vancouver’s city center is to walk. Even if it’s raining (and there’s a good chance it will be), the city core has plenty of underground malls.

The figure skating arena is about 20 minutes by bus from the city center. Event tickets will include local transit fares. Snowboarding and freestyle skiing events on the city’s North Shore will be tougher to reach. Alpine events are 90 miles away in Whistler but an Olympic fleet of buses will be running. Traffic will be strictly limited on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which was recently redeveloped at a cost of nearly $500 million.

For local transit, officials are warning of long delays during the games. A trip planner is available online at www.translink.ca with more information at www.travelsmart2010.ca.

WHERE TO STAY: During the Olympics, even mountain-lovers may have to stay in Vancouver, because of the shortage of shelter in the hills. Both Vancouver and Whistler tourism officials are expecting more accommodations to open up as the Games approach. Click on “2010 Winter Games Accommodation” at www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/.

OLYMPIC TICKETS: In Canada, Olympic tickets have already been sold by lottery through the 2010 Games Web site, www.Vancouver2010.com. A list of ticket agents for countries outside the Canada is also available through the spectator information and ticketing link at that site. The site is also hosting ticket re-sales to avoid scalping problems.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Information about the Olympic Games and destination: Vancouver2010.com and www.destination2010.ca

Information about British Columbia: www.hellobc.com

Information about Vancouver: www.tourismvancouver.com