At the last minute I made the trip to Calgary. It was not a wise choice. There are no hotels within walking distance, the weather has not gone above minus 30 and windchills are below minus 40. Last night there was a province-wide alert regarding the risk of power blackouts. Yes this is Canada, but there are simply not enough people from the East willing to travel here in the winter.Why are there such few people? Are people just not interested in figure skating in Canada anymore?
It's a really small crowd if I imagine that most skaters have some friends or family with them.
My thoughts exactly. This crowd was the smallest I have ever seen at Nationals. There was so little energy in the arena.The distinct lack of any kind of crowd makes me so sad. There are other places that could host that would fill the arena, I think, at least for the long programs. When I went to nationals in Victoria it was packed to the doors. It's got to suck for the skaters.
I think they need to start thinking about hosts with a less North American mindset (i.e. everyone has a car and drives). I know I don't enjoy driving in a strange city and feel far more comfortable walking to the venue as long as there's a decent hotel in the area, and I think there are a lot of people like me. Plus parking is generally a nightmare.At the last minute I made the trip to Calgary. It was not a wise choice. There are no hotels within walking distance,
I totally agree. It was tense getting an Uber or taxi each night. The front desk lady at the hotel where I was staying said the wait time for a battery boost was 72 hours.Try leaving your car unplugged for 12 hours straight in -31 degrees weather, lol. Mom and I went for the whole day because my husband gave us a ride. It is seriously dangerous if you left the facility in the dark, with windchill in -40s, and the car didn't start. Plus, the roads are as icy as the skating rink itself. Honestly, I was surprised so many people turned up rather than the opposite.
Yeah, but if everything is being held in the East, why do we always have to pay for the plane tickets? Montreal is hard to fly to vs Toronto, for example and far more expensive. In Missasuaga, the hotel was a walking distance in the balmy fall weather, but surely not in -30, it was like 20 minutes. And Vancouver arena is even harder to get to than CoP and run-down. The facility itself is great. We love it, anyway.At the last minute I made the trip to Calgary. It was not a wise choice. There are no hotels within walking distance, the weather has not gone above minus 30 and windchills are below minus 40. Last night there was a province-wide alert regarding the risk of power blackouts. Yes this is Canada, but there are simply not enough people from the East willing to travel here in the winter.
I completely agree. Being able to stay in a hotel within walking distance of the rink, with at least some dining options nearby, is the first factor I consider when deciding to go to a competition.I think they need to start thinking about hosts with a less North American mindset (i.e. everyone has a car and drives). I know I don't enjoy driving in a strange city and feel far more comfortable walking to the venue as long as there's a decent hotel in the area, and I think there are a lot of people like me. Plus parking is generally a nightmare.
of course there are rinks in the Maritimes... hockey rinks for sure .. .all over the country.I completely agree. Being able to stay in a hotel within walking distance of the rink, with at least some dining options nearby, is the first factor I consider when deciding to go to a competition.
Isn’t there a rink somewhere in the Maritime provinces—I forget exactly what city, but Nationals was there once—where there is an enclosed walkway with shops and food that connects the rink to the hotel? This would be more my speed
I agree that all competitions cannot be held in the East. I just think there needs to be better planning regarding the location of the competition facility. Although the Thunderbird arena is outside downtown Vancouver, there is a hotel on-site, public transit options are available and it is an easy drive from downtown. I had considered coming to Junior Worlds last year and changed my mind when I looked at the logistics. Renting a car in the winter in Calgary was not an attractive option for me.Yeah, but if everything is being held in the East, why do we always have to pay for the plane tickets? Montreal is hard to fly to vs Toronto, for example and far more expensive. In Missasuaga, the hotel was a walking distance in the balmy fall weather, but surely not in -30, it was like 20 minutes. And Vancouver arena is even harder to get to than CoP and run-down. The facility itself is great. We love it, anyway.
Plus, we finally have contract for new Arena to replace Saddledome, so that will be near hotels etc, but I dunno if they would ever give it up for a figure skating event.
Well, we love it my mom lives in Victoria and she had one heck of a time getting to the arena in Vancouver from the ferry. There is a bus that goes to the facility in Calgary, number 8. COP is easily accessible from downtown Calgary and there are a few hotels along the transcanada right thereI agree that all competitions cannot be held in the East. I just think there needs to be better planning regarding the location of the competition facility. Although the Thunderbird arena is outside downtown Vancouver, there is a hotel on-site, public transit options are available and it is an easy drive from downtown. I had considered coming to Junior Worlds last year and changed my mind when I looked at the logistics. Renting a car in the winter in Calgary was not an attractive option for me.
Victoria is difficult access... the few times I went there it was not easy.... so I can imagine the other way around is NO fun either.Well, we love it my mom lives in Victoria and she had one heck of a time getting to the arena in Vancouver from the ferry. There is a bus that goes to the facility in Calgary, #8. COP is easily accessible from downtown Calgary and there are a few hotels along the transcanada right there
That's because we don't have as many cities in the West. I mean, going to Quebec is like going abroad for the rest of the country with a different language, so it's understandable. Not that crazy about going to Montreal tbh. Hopefully it won't be canceled this time.Victoria is difficult access... the few times I went there it was not easy.... so I can imagine the other way around is NO fun either.
I haven't visited Calgary (except its airport) but yeah... I think the Prairies in the winter may be a bit less appealing for the Easterners.
I agree 100% though that Nationals shouldn't always be held in the East. However, the last time they were held in Québec, it was in 1989.
Wiki says that Nationals were held in Québec for a whopping 6 times since the 1900s.... So you know, the perception that they are always in the East... maybe we should look carefully at the data
PS Calgary has hosted Nationals 6 times... just as many times as the entire province of Québec
Montreal is wonderful you will have a good time. I am sure.That's because we don't have as many cities in the West. I mean, going to Quebec is like going abroad for the rest of the country with a different language, so it's understandable. Not that crazy about going to Montreal tbh. Hopefully it won't be canceled this time.
Yeah, Vancouver wasn't our choice. Kelowna was okay, but too small for the major competition in terms of facilities. Like, on Sunday we had to grab a cab because the bus wasn't running yet, lol.... I loved Missasauga, very simple.Montreal is wonderful you will have a good time. I am sure.
About the cities that have hosted Nationals in Quebec, Noranda, Lachine (a Montreal Burrough now, back then a town) and in 1989, the last time held in Quebec , Chicoutimi.... I doubt many people traveled to Chicoutimi nor Noranda in the winter HA ! Just look where they are on the map...
At the same time, Laval has perfect facilities to hold Nationals (went to Skate Canada there a few years back) and there are plenty of rinks all over the place. It doesn't have to always be Ottawa/Toronto/Vancouver.
Agreed! This piece is so overused but I thought they skated that beautifully. Jacob seems to have really improved. I just love Emmy - I just want her to win everything!haha... I hate it so much... but they did so well with it.. that I have to give them a pass plus their RD has the best music ever.