2018/2019 Grand Prix Final will be in Vancouver

Sylvia said:
"The event will take place in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre from December 5-9, 2018.
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That is the same facility that will be in use for Canadians in January 2018.
 
Now begins my dilemma - stay downtown and enjoy the city but have to drive to the rink or stay near the rink and make the long trek to downtown via public transit?
 
TanithandBenFan said:
Now begins my dilemma - stay downtown and enjoy the city but have to drive to the rink or stay near the rink and make the long trek to downtown via public transit?
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Transit to UBC is pretty solid.
On weekdays from downtown there's an express bus.
And many buses connect to the train back to downtown.
The ride is long;45 minutes or more depending; shorter at night.
But there's way more to do , see and eat downtown.
 
manhn said:
Stay downtown and still take transit.
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My concern was the long travel time on transit. Looked about an hour when I mapped it with multiple transfers involved. How is traffic for driving out to UBC from downtown? Maps said about 25 mins.
 
There is one bus that takes you directly from Downtown to UBC. You can also take the Canada Line (the line from the airport to Downtown) to the Broadway City Hall Station, and then take the 99 express bus to ubc. The ubc bus loop is a 5 minute walk to the arena.

45 minutes sounds right. Not so much length, but due to bus stops and traffic. But it's generally an easy, smooth ride.

I also think gpf is exam week for the ubc students. So, the buses should not be as full. :)
 
I ended up reserving a room (refundable!) Tues-Sun. There were none close to the arena, this one was close to Granville I think? Not in downtown proper. In any case, I hope the tickets will be obtainable.
 
TanithandBenFan said:
How is traffic for driving out to UBC from downtown? Maps said about 25 mins.
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BWAHAHAHA
It might take that long at midnight during the week with green lights all the way and no accidents or closures.

Driving is very slow. Most of the route, no matter which way you go, is on major roads that are generally very busy. Plus parking at UBC is hella expensive. Take the bus!
 
From what I have heard, the buses to UBC are often full and do not stop once they reach capacity. Evening return trips would be ok, but getting there for 9 or 10 AM could be a struggle.
 
As GPF is taking place during exam week, that should not be an issue.

The 99B bus comes something like every 6 minutes. Even if you miss the first bus, you will get in the next.
 
maatTheViking said:
I ended up reserving a room (refundable!) Tues-Sun. There were none close to the arena, this one was close to Granville I think? Not in downtown proper. In any case, I hope the tickets will be obtainable.
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Do you have a cross street? Depending on where along Granville your hotel is, there is a bus that will take you directly to UBC. But I'm assuming you have a car.
 
manhn said:
Do you have a cross street? Depending on where along Granville your hotel is, there is a bus that will take you directly to UBC. But I'm assuming you have a car.
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It's on Broadway W, Park Inn and Suites by Radission. I might look for a different one close once the event is closer - it looks like a bunch of hotels don't open up reservations this far out.
 
[24hrTE="maatTheViking, post: 5170285, member: 26670"]It's on Broadway W, Park Inn and Suites by Radission. I might look for a different one close once the event is closer - it looks like a bunch of hotels don't open up reservations this far out.[/QUOTE]
That's where I'm staying for Canadians in January, and will be my preference for GPF as well. It's about as good as it gets for transportation to UBC. As manh said, there's a 99 B-line express bus stop within a block in both directions, and the bus runs every 4-5 minutes for most of the day. According to the bus timetable, it's about 25 minutes (22-28 depending on the time of day ).
There are also a lot of restaurants etc on that section of Broadway, and a 24hr Shopper's Drug Mart with food section across the street. I spend a lot of time in that neighbourhood.
 
Thank you all for the information. I'm thinking of going but would prefer to stay as close to the arena as possible. It looks like the university suites hotel is booked up already. Is there anything else? I'm not used to such cold weather and would prefer not to be on a 45 minute bus ride each way, being alone at night.
 
livetoskate said:
Thank you all for the information. I'm thinking of going but would prefer to stay as close to the arena as possible. It looks like the university suites hotel is booked up already. Is there anything else? I'm not used to such cold weather and would prefer not to be on a 45 minute bus ride each way, being alone at night.
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Park Inn and Suites on Broadway W. was mentioned above, and I'm sure there are other hotels on Broadway W. as well.

Broadway W. is a major thoroughfare in Vancouver, and very well lit. And usually it has plenty of people out and about - there are clubs and restaurants on the street open very late.

And you probably won't be alone, as other fans are likely to be staying in the same hotel you are. You can transit together.

Also, it doesn't always get that cold here in December - not as cold as it does in the rest of Canada, or the Northern/Mid-western US. Some years temperatures due drop below 0 degree C., and there's show (last year was freakish that way). But it's just as likely to be 4-10 degrees C. You're more likely to encounter rain than snow and to need good rain gear - not a down-filled parka.

Though who knows what to expect with the weather anymore? We are having a really warm fall, and although it is pleasant, it clearly is a sign of climate change and thus kind of freaky.
 
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The Park Inn is between Granville and Cambie. Within 0-3 blocks of Broadway and Cambie are two Starbucks, La Taqueria -- my favorite food in Vancouver -- the Canada Line light rail station for the train to and from the airport -- a Vancity credit union branch with ATM's, Lululemon design your own shop, a Michael's, Whole Foods, London Drugs, Canadian Tire, another huge supermarket, liquor store, and a bunch more restaurants that keep changing.

Around Broadway and Granville there are also a bunch of restaurants and coffee shops. Both Cambie and Granville are also stops on the 99 bus. The closest stop to the Park Inn is Heather/Willow (depending on the direction) because Vancouver General Hospital is close by.
 
livetoskate said:
Thank you all for the information. I'm thinking of going but would prefer to stay as close to the arena as possible. It looks like the university suites hotel is booked up already. Is there anything else? I'm not used to such cold weather and would prefer not to be on a 45 minute bus ride each way, being alone at night.
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I don't think the UBC hotel is open for reservations yet. Most hotels don't open until about a year out.
 
Grand Prix final tickets go on sale to the public this Friday. As the venue isn't huge, and it's an international event it may sell out quickly. Presale is on now to those with the SC password. Prices range from $175-$375 CAD.
 
This could be combined with the general GPF thread- I couldn't see it at the time. Mods?
 
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