Parksville
Quick Facts
- Population (2006 Census)... 10,993
- Distance from Vancouver... 117km (73mi)
- Distance from Richmond... 130km (81mi)
- Distance from Whistler... 197km (122mi)
Parksville is situated on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, in the heart of a region that enjoys Canada's mildest climate. The landscape around Parksville is so ecologically diverse that UNESCO designated much of it a Biosphere Reserve.
Parksville is famous for its superb, sandy beaches and prolific arts community. The number of galleries and studios here is much larger than normally found in a town this size. Visitors are able to tour many of these facilities to see the artists at work.
Parksville was named deliberately - it maintains 30 urban parks. There are also seven beautiful provincial parks within easy reach, as well as local and regional parks scattered with walking and biking trails. The area is known for its first-rate kayaking, canoeing, diving and fishing opportunities.
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2010 Host Cities
Venues & Visitor Centres
Transportation
Transportation to 2010 Winter Games Venue Cities
Visit www.travelsmart2010.ca for the latest information on travel during the 2010 Winter Games.
There will be no spectator parking at any Olympic venue.
Parksville’s nearest transportation hub is 40-km/25-mi away in Nanaimo, which has two ferry terminals offering car and passenger service to mainland British Columbia. Departure Bay connects with Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver providing easy access to Vancouver. Duke Point services Tsawwassen which is convenient for those needing to get to Richmond and Vancouver.
Transit passengers can take the public Intercity Connector bus from Parksville to Departure Bay in Nanaimo.
To Richmond:
Transit buses and taxis meet ferry arrivals in Tsawwassen and take passengers to Richmond.
For visitors traveling to Vancouver International Airport, coach service, available on board BC Ferries makes a stop at the airport. Flights leave from Qualicum Beach Airport, located 13km/8mi from Parksville, connecting to Vancouver International Airport.
Floatplanes make daily departures from Nanaimo Harbour with a shuttle on the mainland that transports passengers to Richmond and the airport.
The Richmond Olympic Oval can be accessed by the Canada Line rapid transit system and connecting public buses.
To Vancouver:
Travelers can take BC Ferries arriving in either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen where transit buses and taxis offer transport into downtown Vancouver.
Daily floatplane flights depart from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver's harbour front.
Selected BC Ferries departing Vancouver Island sell tickets on board to connect passengers into downtown Vancouver via motor coach.
During Games time it’s best to take public transit as there will be road closures and limited parking. Extended transit service hours will be in place during February, 2010.
To West Vancouver:
Once in Horseshoe Bay, passengers can take one of the transit buses or taxis that meet arriving ferries. Horseshoe Bay is a short 15 minute drive from West Vancouver’s business district.
Tickets holders can only access Olympic events on Cypress Mountain via the Olympic Bus Network. View travel information and reserve bus tickets here.
To Whistler:
Passengers can take a BC Ferry to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver then drive north to Whistler along the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Hwy 99). Note that there will be driving restrictions in place along the highway during peak Games times.
Ticket holders to Olympic events in Whistler will be transported to their event location via the Olympic Bus Network. This bus network has departure points in Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver.
Daily motorcoach service from downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport has several departure points located along the Vancouver-Whistler corridor, including limited service from Horseshoe Bay.
Visitors have a wide selection of accommodation to choose from in Parksville including resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and RV parks, and vacation rental homes. A large proportion of guest units have views onto Parksville's beaches.
Though not plentiful, West Vancouver's bed and breakfasts can be found in various locations, including serene Bowen Island, a 10-minute ferry ride from nearby Horseshoe Bay.
Want to talk to an accommodations expert? We'll be happy to help you with your search over the phone. Call us directly at 1-800-HelloBC or 1-800-435-5622. If you're calling from overseas, dial 1-604-435-5622.
Things To Do
Parksville has earned its name with the plethora of urban parks providing trails for exercise or for more leisurely pursuits. The area's beaches are also incredibly restful. Vast expanses of soft sand are exposed at low tide and offer exquisitely scenic walks.
This area is a popular destination for scuba divers with winter the time to enjoy water at its clearest. Very lucky divers may catch a rare shallow-water sighting of the sixgill shark or see giant octopuses.
Parksville is less than an hour's drive from Mount Washington, the biggest and busiest skiing and snowboarding facility on Vancouver Island. Once visitors have had their fill of the excellent snow conditions, a round of golf awaits on one of the six courses within 25 minutes of Parksville.
Art lovers should watch for the blue"artisan" highway signs indicating a working studio nearby. These are open to the public and provide a great glimpse of the artistic process.
Cathedral Grove, in nearby MacMillan Provincial Park, offers the chance to take an awe-inspiring stroll among old-growth Douglas-fir trees. Visitors follow a network of trails to experience the magnificence of these giants, some of whom have stood for 800 years.
Read more about what's happening in Parksville.