For the athletes travelling to British Columbia this winter, it’s all about the focus of competition. For the rest of us, though, it’s all about the fun. From the deep snows of the mountains to the bright lights of the city, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are going to be a celebration for the ages. It’s been called “the biggest potlatch the world has ever seen,” and the good news is that you don’t need a ticket to feel the Olympic rush. While there are hundreds of events with free and open access, here are 10 best bets to get into the spirit of British Columbia’s world-welcoming bash.

By Jack Christie

In British Columbia, there’s a province-wide buzz unlike anything seen before. What’s causing the stir? Canada’s westernmost province is gearing up to welcome the world during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Kimberley, British Columbia is in the Purcell Mountains in the East Kootenay Region. It is 370 kilometers from Calgary (4 hour drive, 50 minute flight), 845 kilometers (9 hour drive, 90 minute flight) from Vancouver and 300 kilometers (3.5 hour drive) from Spokane, Washington. Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa and Kimberley are 20 minutes’ drive from the Canadian Rockies International Airport outside Cranbrook.

The Savoy in London, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai & the Makkah Clock Tower are just a few of the spectacular properties opening this year.

With a number of hotels in its development pipeline, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts remains committed to growing its extraordinary collection of luxury hotels. Throughout 2010, Fairmont will open seven distinctive new hotels in growing markets around the globe. While most are newly developed properties, Fairmont will also throw open the doors at two of the world’s most celebrated addresses: The Savoy in London and the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.

Skiresorts.com, the mecca for all things snow both on and off the slopes, is the newest authority citing upcoming trends for 2010. Many of them aren’t just momentary but here to stay, especially when they pertain to sustainable environmental trends and safety on the slopes. Ski resorts across the country are stepping up to the challenge and Skiresorts.com is closely monitoring their progress.

Here’s just a sampling of some noteworthy – and sometimes offbeat – happenings across the globe over the next couple of months.

When composing his essay on walking, Henry David Thoreau had this to say: “Give me the ocean, the desert or the wilderness.” Considering those words, it’s not hard to think that the famed author would have loved the westernmost of Canada’s provinces. He would have found all that he sought, and all of it on a scale that he could never have imagined.