With the October arrival of the Olympic flame in Canada, Vancouver is now officially thrust into the spotlight as host of the world's biggest winter sporting event.

Let the countdown begin, with a 106-day, nearly 28,000-mile journey that's the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history. The flame will wind its way through Canada's biggest cities and most remote villages. The town of Alert, with a year-round population of five, is 500 miles from the North Pole. The highlight will come with some mystery on Feb. 12, when the Olympic flame is lit in Vancouver at BC Place.

Who will light the torch is always a closely guarded secret. But this will also be the first Games of any kind with an Opening Ceremony indoors, under the non-retractable roof of BC Place, home to the Canadian Football League BC Lions.

The fate of the Olympic flame is the subject of much speculation, with organizers keeping mum on how they plan to display it. Tradition calls for the flame to be outdoors, for 17 days a visible and inspiring symbol to those coming to watch and compete.

Vancouver, Canada's third Olympic host after Montreal in 1976 and Calgary in 1988, is unlike any Winter Games city.

It's bigger (metro-area population: 2.2 million) and, as the first Olympics in a Pacific Maritime climate, will likely be warmer and wetter than any Winter Games site. Typical February weather: 41 degrees and drizzle.