Whistler Olympic Plaza

A cluster of five giant coloured rings stands at the entrance to Whistler Village, a reminder of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and for many visitors to the resort the first photograph is taken here. The Olympic Rings are the landmark, and Whistler Olympic Plaza was built for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, when it served as the site of the nightly medal ceremonies for the events held in the area. Crowds filled the plaza each evening to watch athletes receive their medals, and concerts followed, which gave the games a festival atmosphere. The plaza stayed on after the closing ceremony as a lasting reminder of the events, and the rings and Olympic cauldron remain on show in Whistler's Village.

The space itself is open and well landscaped, with a broad paved area, steps and seating that create a natural amphitheatre. A podium used for the medal ceremonies still stands, and many people pose on it for pictures. Whistler Village is a short stroll from the plaza, so shops, cafés and restaurants are all close at hand, ranging from casual bakeries and pubs to more upscale dining rooms. In summer the plaza hosts concerts, markets and community events, and on warm evenings families picnic on the steps. In winter the space turns into an outdoor skating rink, which is one of the most pleasant ways to spend an hour in the village after a day on the slopes.

Whistler's role in the games is also visible beyond the plaza. Alpine events were held on Whistler Mountain at Creekside, and the Whistler Sliding Centre, for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton, and the Nordic centre at Callaghan Valley are within a short drive. The plaza makes a useful starting point for learning about that story, and the nearby Whistler Museum has additional background on the area's history.

The plaza is a public space, free to enter and open throughout the year, though the rink and any event areas have their own schedules and fees. Because it sits in the middle of the village, it is easy to reach on foot from lodging, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola base and the bus loop. Evenings in summer and holiday weekends are the busiest times.

It is a quick, easy stop that suits any visitor to the resort, and it makes a pleasant place to sit with a coffee and watch the village go by.