It’s the time every 4 years when we all search for that inner skier, swear if given a chance we could rock that snowboard half-pipe, and ooohh and ahhh over pairs skating. Yes, it’s the Winter Olympics. For a brief time, people all over the world come together over the love of winter sports. This year, Vancouver has had more than its share of Olympics-sized troubles, and even a tragedy, so it’s been easy to lose site of what it’s all about: intense sport and amazing athletic prowess.

Here are a few apps to get you into the spirit of the winter Olympics, with all the glory and drama only the Olympics can bring. (NOTE: All links will launch iTunes.)

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Following the games:

2010Guide — Vancouver 2010

Lableled the “Ofiicial Mobile Guide” by Bell for the 2010 Olympics, this is a solid app for scheduling and real-time reporting of events. If you happen to be at the games, this nifty app will tell you how far away a given sport is. For the rest of us, we can use the pics and videos to keep up.

NBC Olympics for AT&T

Here’s an Olympic experience for those of us who can’t be there with video, pictures, and text recaps of events. It has a smooth, intuitive interface. A little busy with the ads, but we realize they have to pay for it since it’s free.

Winter 2010 (formerly iOlympics)

If you’re looking for push notifications for your favorite Olympics event, this is your app. This app also will allow you to keep track of medals won by sport or country and gives medal details.

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Get your game on:

Ski Jump

This is fun and addictive! Be your own Olympiac ski jumper and compete with others around the world.

Ice Bullet

Ever wonder what it would feel like to be on one of those dizzying, exhilarating bobsled rides? Here’s your chance. With hip use of the iPhone’s accerometer, this ride truly rocks. (Caution: if you’re prone to motion sickness, limit your time on this one!)

Figure Skating

This app offers an extensive glossary for all of those terms we hear the commentators use during the performances. Want to know the difference between an axel and an arabesque? You’ll find them all defined here, complete with a search feature.

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Just for fun:

NBC Olympics Cheer

Trouble coming up with a cheer on your own? Voice getting hoarse? Just feeling lazy? This just-for-fun app will cheer for you at a tap. The cowbell is my personal favorite!

Battery App Vancouver

This highly rated battery management utility has been revamped to get into the spirit of the 2010 games. The Olympic fun pack has 100 flags from all over the world (they are displayed on the battery), and will play a bit of the anthem for each flag. It also can be used as a cheer app for you, and can get pretty loud when you opt to have 32 cowbells ring at once. Hey, isn’t all this going to drain my battery?!

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Whether you’re in Vancouver, heading out to take in the next event, or at home in front of your PC, you can enrich that Olympic experience with a mobile app. And the beauty of it all is you won’t have to strain anything but your fingers practicing your new Olympic moves.