The city numbers close to 500,000 but the population of Greater Vancouver area is closer to 2,000,000. In addition to having the most moderate climate in Canada, Vancouver supports fine shopping facilities and cultural programmes. Vancouver is home to the NHL Canucks and the NBA Grizzlies. Major shows, opera, symphony and ballet productions are presented in the Queen Elizabeth and Orpheum theatres in downtown Vancouver. Vancouver has approximately 4,000 restaurants, including numerous ethnic restaurants that are relatively inexpensive.
Cycling is very popular in Vancouver as is climbing and hiking in the surrounding Coast Mountains.
Excellent boating, fishing and swimming are available in the waters surrounding Vancouver. One of the many 18-hole golf courses is located on the UBC campus. For the skier, there are a number of excellent runs, the closest of which, at Grouse Mountain, is less than 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver by road and gondola lift. Whistler, rated the best in North American ski mountains, is about a 90 minute drive from Vancouver. Housing for single students is available in dormitories on campus and in private residences just off campus.