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.
OVERVIEW
All registered participants who attend the BC Games, except for those who reside in the immediate vicinity of the host community, are provided with the opportunity to travel to the Games on flights or buses chartered by the BC Games Society. This transportation is funded by the BC Government and is offered at no additional cost to participants beyond the existing athlete fee and is one of the major benefits offered to sports who participate in the Games.
The BC Games Society Team Travel Policy provides a full description of the travel policy and also outlines the need to have a sport specific zone coach or adult supervisor present to supervise athletes from pick up, going to the games, to drop off, after the games.
TRAVEL ITINERARY
Your personal travel itinerary will be available on the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE. See our Participant Registration page for more details.
Your Travel Itinerary provides the details for your transportation to and from the Games. Please review it carefully and we recommend you bring a copy of your Travel Itinerary with you to the Games.
When will I receive details of my travel to the Games?
For more information about registration, visit our Participant Registration page.
How will I get to the Games?
Participants who do not reside within the immediate vicinity of the Games Host Community will be provided BC Games Transportation. BC Games transportation utilizes Charter Buses, Charter Flights and Commercial Flights to transport participants to and from Games. Participants may choose to use their own transportation to and from Games that will be at their own expense.
BRINGING LUGGAGE
Participants will be provided luggage tags prior to boarding their transportation. Luggage Tags help ensure your luggage is delivered to the correct accommodation at Games. The number of Luggage Tags provided to each participant will vary depending on sport.
How much luggage can I bring?
You are allowed to bring the following:
- one (1) checked bag (max 30lbs) with your sleeping bag and pillow attached
- one (1) carry on (backpack)
- Prescription medications, glasses, keys, fragile or valuable items should be kept with you at all times (Carry On bag)
There is limited cargo space on the BC Games Transportation and excess luggage WILL NOT be accommodated. 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.
We recommend you pack your items so that they are easily identifiable – 1000’s of sleeping bags packed in green garbage bags all look the same!
What about my Sport Equipment?
For sports that have been identified by the BC Games Society as requiring additional sport equipment (i.e. lacrosse, golf, ringette) or team equipment. Specific luggage information for each sport will be available on the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE.
You will be provided Luggage Tags for your sport equipment. Be sure to attach the Luggage Tag to your sport equipment.
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. For more information, please review the BC Games Society Team Travel Policy.
PREPARE FOR A LONG TRIP
Travel to and from Games can be very long. Scheduled stops during travel are not guaranteed due to the tight schedule. Charter buses and flights will have washrooms onboard. Please pack a lunch and snacks for your travel to the Games. A bagged lunch will be provided for the travel home.
How long will it take to get to the Games?
Your arrival at the Games will depend on the Games 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 1,600 (winter) and 3200 (summer) 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.
Will food be provided on the way to the Games?
No, food will not be provided on Games transportation. Be sure to bring lunch/snacks to keep you nourished on the way to the Games. Your first meal provided at the Games will depend upon your arrival time. You will be provided with a bagged lunch for your trip home.
What does Arrivals Day look like?
When you arrive into the Host Community, you will place your luggage in the Luggage Holding Area where it will be sorted by sport. You will receive your accreditation badge and you may have the option to have your first Games Meal (depending on the time you arrive). You will be responsible for grabbing your luggage from the Luggage Holding Area and loading it on the appropriate bus or luggage truck for transport to the accommodations. You will be transported, by bus, to your accommodation site for check in.
TRANSPORTATION AT GAMES
Games participants will be transported from accommodations to sport venues, to meals, and special events etc. 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?
Your Head Coach will be provided the Bus & Meal Schedule for your sport.
GAMES RELEASE FORM
Want to go home with your parents but you are scheduled on Games transportation? Your parents will need complete the online Games Release Form via your coach or Provincial Advisor. This will ensure the Games Transportation is not waiting for you at departure. This process also helps us verify that parents have assumed the responsibility of supervision.
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 parent complete the Games Release Form via their coach or Provincial Advisor. . Note that it is expected that early departure is arranged prior to the Games — please be sure to inform your Zone Representative or Provincial Advisor 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.
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.
DEPARTURE DAY
Sunday is departure day for BC Games. Participants will be transported home, as per their Travel Itinerary or with their parents. Participants will be dropped off at the same location they were picked up. Parents must be present at the drop off location at the expected arrival time.
What does departure day look like?
On Sunday, participants will pack all their belongings and vacate the accommodation sites. Luggage will be transported to the Luggage Holding Area where it will be sorted into appropriate Zones. You will be responsible for grabbing your luggage from the Luggage Holding Area and loading it on the appropriate bus or luggage truck for transport home. You will board your Games Transportation bus to be transported home, or to the airport for your Charter Flight.
If you are getting picked up by your parent, you can be picked up at the designated area at the conclusion of Games – please make specific arrangements with your coach for pick up location and time.
If you are travelling on a charter flight, you may need to wait in the Games Holding Area for your flight (do not go to the airport to catch your flight).
