Olympic Nation Houses are meeting spots hosted by various countries eager to celebrate their unique culture, support their athletes and forge friendships with Canadians and other international teams and fans.
In hotels, lounges and private log homes throughout Whistler, countries like Austria, Switzerland, the USA and of course Canada have created distinctive spaces that host a variety of events and offer refuge to athletes, their friends and families.
Slovenia House
Each house is celebrating the Olympic games in fun and unique ways. The Bavaria House held a boisterous bash on Friday evening, urging guests to enjoy a smorgasbord of regional dishes and a variety of beer, kicking off the festivities with a unique presentation by the First Nations of Squamish and Lilloet. On Saturday morning the Canada House hosted a delicious Pancake Breakfast, during which time guests could explore First Nations culture and mingle with Canadian athletes while listening to a variety of entertainment that included Native drumming, story telling and bannock making. Fashioned in green, yellow and black, Savage Beagle nightclub has become home to the Jamaica Bobsleigh House, featuring Jamaican cuisine, beer and an in-house DJ playing reggae. Click here to find out more about other Nation Houses, including events and locations.
Bavaria House hosts presentation by First Nations peoples
The Olympics is a time for making history and this year the Pride House has done just that; for the first time ever gay and lesbian athletes and fans have a home away from home where they can relax, watch Olympic games and mingle with one another in a convenient and welcoming setting. Run by Gay Whistler, a year-round promoter of Whistler to the Gay & Lesbian community, Pride House is designed to embrace diversity, educate and evoke change in homophobia in sports culture and be a catalyst for positive change in this mountain town and throughout the world.
Pride House
No matter which house you choose to visit in Whistler during the 2010 Olympics -- and I'd advise visiting them all -- you can bet on having an entertaining, fun-filled time replete with interesting cuisine, generous drink, good tunes and an Olympian spirit.
GO CANADA GO!
Hungry for more Olympic info, pictures and stories? Read my other Olympic articles, get my tweets from Whistler and view tons of great 2010 Olympic photos.