Competition takes place on a 111.12-meter oval laid out on an indoor rink built to international ice hockey dimensions (NHL rinks are about 4 meters too narrow). There are no lanes. Only the turns are marked, and seven cones delineate each one. The number of laps per event is as follows:

In Vancouver, short track will take place at the Pacific Coliseum, located near downtown Vancouver. With a capacity of 14,239, Pacific Coliseum also will host the figure skating competition. The venue was built in the 1960s and was once the home of the Vancouver Canucks. Extensive upgrades to the facility, including new seating, for the Vancouver Games exceeded $20 million.

The start and finish lines are denoted by colored lines.(ISU rules)

Starting at 50cm from the inner side of the track, dots 2cm diameter shall mark five starting positions every 1.3 meters to define the starting positions. (ISU rules)

Protective padding covers all of the boards lining the track. (ISU rules)

Electronic equipment capable of producing an image of the finish and the times of the competitors must be at the facility. Times shall be produced in thousands of a second.