Whistler’s Ziptrek Ecotours has had a busy couple of weeks bringing the much-loved activity to downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics with their Robson Square Zipline.

The line was definitely a highlight of Vancouver’s exciting Olympic site.

Open daily Feb. 12 to 28 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the adventures were offered free to visitors. Lineups were huge every day with 8 ½-hour waits on some days and up to 550 people waiting for the thrill of a lifetime. Although open until 9 p.m. each night, Ziptrek had to close off the line around 2 or 3 p.m. to ensure that those waiting in line for so many hours got the change to experience it.

The public reception was huge and the visitors remained positive regardless of the wait. Around 10,000 people in total enjoyed the Vancouver version of Ziptrekking. Perched above the law courts at Robson Square, guests zipped over 170 metres, an exhilarating six stories across Robson Street over Vancouver’s downtown core.

Switching the traditional backdrop of old growth forest to cityscape proved to be an amazing and rare experience. “It couldn’t have gone any better, says Warrick Hubbard, Ziptrek’s director of marketing.

It went so well that the line will now be open during the Paralympics. This was not originally in the plans, but due to the success it has been decided that the fun will return from March 12 to March 21. Stay tuned for hours of operation. For more information on Ziptrek, visit ziptrek.com

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Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity, has announced a partnership of Olympic size proportion with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Since Feb. 26, the Chateau has been collecting donations, both monetary and of footwear, and will continue to do so until the end of the Paralympic Games on March 21.

Guests and the public are invited to donate their new or gently worn shoes to the hotel. They can also donate to the charity by texting the word “shoes” to 20222. A one-time donation of $5 will be added to their next month’s phone bill. Every nine seconds, Soles4Souls gives away another pair of shoes to someone in need. “By partnering with non-profits that are working hard to provide humanitarian aid such as Soles4Souls, we can maximize our collective support to help those in need,” said Lynn Gervais, the Chateau’s director of public relations. “In the global spirit of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, we are happy to be doing our part to better the world.”

Soles4Souls and the Chateau will be collecting gently worn footwear to ship to people in need, whether they are victims of natural disasters or subject to living in extreme poverty.

“The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a terrific partner and we are excited they are offering Whistler residents and visitors a great way to get involved in our mission,” said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “Their efforts will benefit many people in need and we are proud to have their support.”

For more information, contact the Chateau at (604) 938-8000 or visit giveshoes.org.

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Orkidz Art Studio is expanding to include art programs for kids in Pemberton. The Grand Opening information day will take place this Sunday (March 7) from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pemberton Sears store.

Kids will experience much of the same fun that can be found at the Orkidz Art Studio in Whistler. Owner Layna Mawson created the concept for families looking for a place where their kids can create quality projects in a “never wrong” environment. She is thrilled to now have two locations available to serve both Whistler and Pemberton. The new Pemberton classes will be offering after-school programs and one for those under five years old.

In Whistler, Orkidz offers after school classes available, “Weekend Crafters” and birthday parties upon request. They also offer Pro D Days, “April Spring Fling”, Summer Art camp and an under 5-year program during the day.

For more information on Orkidz, contact Layna at (604) 902-0423 or visit orkidzartstudio.com.

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