Travelling to and from the BC Games
The unique transportation model of the BC Games is essential to our mandate to make the Games accessible for participants from every corner of the province.
TRANSPORTATION AND THE BC GAMES
Transportation to and from the BC Games is available to athletes, coaches, and officials. Participants who already have transportation to or from the Games have the option to opt out of Games transportation if necessary.
On arrival and departure days, buses and planes chartered by the BC Games Society and funded by the BC Government travel to or from locations all over the province. Due to the complexity of this operation and the requirement to provide adult supervision for each athlete, parents or guardians may be asked to drive to a pick-up or drop-off spot outside of their own city.
TRAVEL ITINERARY
Your travel itinerary outlines how you will get to the Games and back home again. It’s a good idea to read it thoroughly and print a copy for quick reference before your trip!
View your personal travel itinerary through the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE, accessed using the login information sent by mail. If you have lost your password, contact participantreg@bcgames.org.
When will I receive details of my travel to the Games?
The registration deadline is one month prior to the Games. Within 10 days of this deadline, each registered Games participant will be mailed a letter with a user name and password to log in and access the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE where they will complete forms, download their travel information (if applicable), etc. See Games specific dates on the General Schedule and Games Overview page.
How will I get to the Games?
Most participants will travel to the Games on Games transportation, which are charter buses for most and charter air craft for those further away. Participants have the option of making their own way to the Games, at their own expense, if this is permitted by their Provincial Sport Organization. Refer to the technical package or contact your Zone Representative or Provincial Advisor for more information.
BRINGING LUGGAGE
All participants are sent luggage tags ahead of the Games. It’s important to use these tags as they help us get your luggage to your accommodation. The number and colour of tags will vary depending on your sport.
How much luggage can I bring?
You are allowed to bring 1 checked bag (30lbs) plus your sleeping bag and pillow and a carry on (backpack). There is limited space on the BC Games charter transportation and excess luggage will not be accommodated. Keep in mind that it is not just your luggage that has to be transported to the Games, but the luggage of all the other Games participants. No one wants his or her luggage to be left behind. Please bring only what is absolutely necessary and only what is permitted. Be sure each piece of luggage (including your sleeping bag) is labelled with visible tag including your NAME, SPORT, ZONE and home address.
Be sure to pack your items so that they are easily identifiable – 1000’s of sleeping bags packed in green garbage bags all look the same!
Excess luggage (i.e. over and above the amount designated) will not be permitted on our charter aircraft or buses.
What if I have extra sport specific baggage?
For sports that have been identified by the BC Games Society as requiring additional personal sports equipment (i.e. lacrosse, golf, ringette) or team equipment. Specific luggage information for each sport will be available on the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE.
In addition to the BC Games luggage tag, be sure to attach a luggage tag with your name and address on it to each piece of luggage you are bringing to the Games.
While we do everything we can to ensure the safe handling of your property, items like prescription medications, glasses, keys, fragile or valuable items should be carried with you.
What should I bring with me?
Be sure to bring your travel itinerary (the information that you accessed online outlining your travel details). If you are on a chartered aircraft, bring your airline information and photo identification (if you are over 19).
You should also pack:
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Personal items: soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.
- Appropriate clothing for the climate and a hat to protect you from the elements
- Sunscreen if attending the BC Summer Games or competing outside at the BC Winter Games
- Water bottle – No bottled water will be provided, but there will be places to fill up your water bottle
- Medical and dental numbers
- Money for – snacks/food while travelling to/from the Games, snacks at the Games, and Games merchandise
Be sure to clearly identify all your personal belongings!
While we do everything we can to ensure the safe handling of your property, items like prescription medications, glasses, keys, fragile or valuable items should be carried with you. Bring only what you need and plan to keep valuables with you.
TRAVEL TOGETHER, TRAVEL SAFE
Every athlete on Games transportation is supervised by an accredited coach or adult supervisor from the time they board a bus or flight until the time they arrive at their destination. Make sure you know who your adult is!
Why do I have to travel with my team?
To ensure the safety and supervision of BC Games athletes during travel to and from the BC Games, zone teams travel together departing from, and returning to, central pick-up locations. This ensures that every athlete is supervised by an accredited adult (head coach, assistant coach, or adult supervisor) from the time they board a bus/flight until the time they arrive at the destination. It also ensures that the zone team travels on the same bus(es) or flight(s) and arrives at the destination at the same time. Participants must provide their own transportation to/from the selected pick-up/drop-off locations. The pick-up/drop off location(s) may not be the closest one to the participants’ homes; however, this system is necessary to ensure proper safety and supervision of athletes.
PREPARE FOR A LONG TRIP
It can be a long trip to the Games and pit stops are not guaranteed due to the tight schedule. Make sure to pack a mealand snacks for your travel and get plenty of rest in the days leading up to your trip so you’re ready to go!
How long will it take to get to the Games?
Your arrival at the Games will depend on the Games planning and bus and flight schedules. Your travel itinerary will be available for download/printing on the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE. Be sure to review this for your specific details.
In order to arrive on time, you may begin and/or end your journey late at night or early in the morning. While we realize this is not ideal, transporting as many as 1,600 participants to the Games has many logistical factors that need to be considered. This travel schedule can be very tiring, so plan to get plenty of rest prior to departure and use the travel time to mentally and physically prepare for the competition that begins early Friday.
Will food be provided on the way to the Games?
No, food will not be provided on Games transportation. Be sure to bring some snacks to keep you nourished on the way to the Games. You may also wish to bring money to purchase food on the way and for when you arrive. Your first meal provided at the Games will depend upon your arrival time.
GETTING AROUND TOWN
Buses will take you to your sport venues and meals while at the Games. The Bus & Meal Schedule distributed at Games-time will tell you everything you need to know about where to be and when. It’s important that you are at your pick-up locations at the designated times so that you don’t miss the bus!
How will I know when and where to be at the Games?
The travel details will be outlined in the Bus & Meal Schedule for your sport, which will be available to your head coach prior to the Games and you will have access to the schedule when you arrive.
Once you arrive in the community, Games transportation will be provided to get you around the Games. Scheduled bus service will get you to/from meals, your accommodation site, and your sport venue. Shuttles will get you to/from special events. Sports travel together, though sometimes a few zone teams will travel at a time.
GAMES RELEASE FORM
Want to go home with your parents but are booked on Games transportation? You will need to fill out a Games Release Form via your coach so that we can let the bus drivers and travel captains know who to expect on travel day.
Can I leave if I am done my competition?
It is expected that all Games participants will remain at the Games for the duration. If you’re staying in Games accommodation, you must remain in accommodation until Sunday. Anyone who removes themselves from Games accommodation prior to the completion of the Games will no longer be eligible to compete and may be subject to other disciplinary action.
Participants who finish competition prior to the final day of the Games (Sunday) may remove themselves from Games accommodation by having their Provincial Advisor sign the Release Form. Note that it is expected that early departue is arranged prior to the Games — please be sure to inform your Zone Representative so that appropriate travel arrangements can be selected for you during the registration process. Also note that some sports do not permit athletes to depart early – discuss with your Zone Representative or Provincial Advisor.
Any participant removing themselves from BC Games accommodation is also removing themselves from competition and from BC Games transportation for their return trip. This means that they cannot continue to compete AND will need to make their own transportation arrangements for their trip home, at their own expense. Speak to your Provincial Advisor for more information.
Note that some sports require participants to remain at the Games, stay in Games accommodation, and travel to/from the Games on Games-provided transportation.
DEPARTURE DAY
Sunday is departure day at the BC Games when the participants depart for home on Games transportation or with their parents.
What does departure day look like at the BC Games
Participants will take their luggage to the Departures Area before they go to the Closing Celebration. Following the conclusion of the Closing Celebration, you’ll start your trip home. If you’re travelling by bus, you’ll find your bus in the departure area. All buses will leave at approximately 3:00 pm. If you are being picked up, you can be picked up at the designated area at the conclusion of the Closing Celebration – details will be to participants and coaches at the Games. If you are travelling by charter aircraft you will be taken to the Holding Area to wait for your flight (do not go to the airport to catch your flight).
Can I leave if I am done my competition?
Participants travelling home on charter flights will be taken to the holding area where Games volunteers will provide a comfortable environment to unwind and wait for the flight home. The holding area will have snacks, movies, games, light entertainment, and quiet places to rest. Dinner service will be provided between specific hours. The 11:00 pm Games curfew is still in effect. Refer to the Bus & Meal Schedule for your schedule transportation to the holding area.
Review your travel itinerary carefully to confirm your scheduled check-in time for your flight. Be sure to keep your accreditation badge with you at all times as this will serve as your identification for accessing the holding area and boarding your flight.
