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The Best of Whistler 2003

The people have spoken

While taking democracy to parts of the world that have little experience with the concept was a focal point of 2003 for some people, Whistlerites once again exercised their democratic freedom and voted for what they think is best - the best of Whistler.

They voted in 78 categories for what they like and don't like; their favourite people and a few of their favourite things. The results, as with most votes, can be interpreted in many ways, but they can not be disputed. The people have spoken.

Quintessential Whistler

Best place to spend the last $10 in your savings account

There's nothing worse than getting down to the last 10 bucks in your so-called savings account with payday still miles away. Many in Whistler can relate; this is an expensive town. And yet, we're a practical bunch. Instead of squandering the money on frivolous treats, the top place to hand over your life savings is at Nesters - "where the locals shop." They shop there because they're looking to stretch that last $10 just as far as it will go.

Groceries don't cut it for everyone though and liquid nourishment came in a close second, with the Liquor Store as the second best place to spend your last pennies.

The Boot Pub was third for those looking to be entertained and watered at the same time.

A number of other local shops and bars got a mention but only two people voted to do something philanthropic with their money. With grumbling tummies and parched mouths, they voted to spend their last $10 on a donation to the local animal shelter, Whistler Animal Galore. We hope their donations gave them a warm rosy glow to keep them sustained 'til payday.

And one romantic voted to spend his last $10 on a "drink for a lady." Hope it was worth it!

Most extreme Whistler thing to do in 2003

Whistler is a town that was built on the extreme, where the words "steeper" and "faster" were once the only noble words to live by. And then a little company came along two years ago that took the meaning of the word "extreme" to a whole new level in Whistler.

For the second year in a row Whistler Bungee, a company that's in the business of providing some stomach-dropping, spine-tingling thrills, has taken the top spot as the most extreme Whistler thing to do in 2003. All you have to do is stand on a bridge roughly 50 metres above the rushing Cheakamus River and throw yourself off. You just have to trust that the bungee cord on your feet will stop your fall at the last moment.

Second choice went to Ziptrek Ecotours, another company that arrived on the Whistler scene in recent years. This time instead of free falling over a river, you slide back and forth on cables between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains high above Fitzsimmons Creek.

And though it may not be "extreme" in the conventional sense of the word, the third choice went to all those local homeowners slogging away at their crippling mortgages on their million-dollar homes. In that same vein, saving money and buying a house also got votes in this category. That's the price you pay for having the extreme backcountry as your personal playground.

Other votes went to all the usual extreme Whistler pastimes like heliskiing, skateboarding, backcountry skiing, kayaking the Upper Cheakamus, hucking the cliff and dodging the gondola at Tower 27 on Whistler Mountain and the Samurai of Singletrack bike event. The category would not be complete of course without a handful of votes for skiing naked.

Best use of public money in 2003

Local government was doing something right when they dreamed up the network of trails linking Whistler neighbourhoods together. It's our way of walking around town through tree-covered walkways, or biking by the golf course or strolling with the dog to a friend's house. The good news is that the network just keeps getting bigger.

This year voters chose the Valley Trail extension between Creekside and Bayshores as the best use of public money. No more walking on the dark and scary highway to get to Food Plus for a late night snack! This is the second year in a row that the Valley Trail took first place in this category. Perhaps the connection to Function Junction, which is slated for the coming year, will take top place next year.

Voters were also pleased with spending public money on the Olympic bid. It most likely helped matters that Whistler/Vancouver actually won the bid this time after a few failures in the past.

The WAVE bus system also got some votes as did the LUNA initiative, which brought alcohol-free late night movies to the big screen at Lost Lake park this summer.

And honourable mentions go to spending money on things like the Christmas lights, the bike trails, the skateboard park, traffic light upgrades and the bridge on Comfortably Numb which finally linked Foreplay and North Secret Trail, making an epic 24 km mountain bike ride.

Worst use of public money in 2003

With the good comes the bad. We can't be praising local government without at least airing our complaints on a few things too. For starters on the list of complaints is the Olympic bid. You either loved it or you hated it. Voters picked the Olympic bid as the second best use of public fund but more voters picked it as the top choice for the worst use of public funds. It wasn't clear from the entry forms whether voters were angry that the government was involved in bidding on the 2010 Olympics in general because they didn't want the Games to come here, or whether they were angry with the way the bid process unfolded. All we know is that the Olympic Bid stirred up some controversy.

And of course the parking metres, the bane of the municipality's existence and a topic that always gets the blood boiling, took second place in the reader's poll. Even though the parking metres were introduced in 2002 it would appear that many people are still harbouring a grudge that the muni would dare ask for change at certain parking lots. Who knew parking was such a sensitive subject?

Other votes went to the second Nita Lake Lodge public hearing, speed bumps and putting up the gold bows along the highway for the big-wigs from the International Olympic Committee who visited in March. It's not a personal issue but the liquor inspector also got some votes for doing his/her job.

Worst Whistler trend in 2003

Blue collar chic made a comeback in a big way this year in the form of trucker hats. Though you look like you should be at the helm of a Mac Truck talking code on the CB or stalking a deer in the forest with some Deliverance-style banjo music playing in the background, trucker hats became cool in 2003. And then they topped the list as the worst Whistler trend at the end of the year. Sometimes it's hard staying current.

Other fashion trends that made the 2003 list are baggy pants, wristbands, earmuffs, '80 clothing and the gangster look.

Voters also had a social conscience this year. Vandalizing the bus shelters and violence in the village tied for second place as bad 2003 trends in Whistler. How many times does the muni need to replace the glass in the bus shelters? Wake up people. It's cold and windy here and the RMOW won't continue to replace this glass indefinitely. Let this not be a trend in 2004.

Interestingly there was no mention of trophy homes in this category this year even though they topped the list last year. But there was a vote for "cashing out and moving away" as one of the worst Whistler trends.

Best party of 2003

If you weren't there in Village Square on July 2, then where were you? Thousands packed in the square early in the morning with their eyes glued to the big screen TV that was broadcasting live from Prague, Czech Republic. Stomachs were doing collective flip-flops and mouths turned dry as Whistler held its breath for Jacques Rogge, president of the IOC, to announce the winner of the 2010 Olympic Games. When he said Vancouver, Village Square exploded into dancing, hugging, cheers and tears. The music pumped out, the beach balls were tossed back and forth and a giant Canadian flag surfed across the crowd. And so, Whistler/Vancouver made history and the Olympic decision day became the best party of 2003, even though most of the crowd dispersed to work shortly after the announcement! It was a Wednesday after all.

From a party that everyone was invited to, to a party for VIPs and the lucky few, the Tragically Hip "surprise" back to back performances at the Boot Pub at the end of October took second place in this category. Only a few hundred people stood a mere arm's length away from one of the most popular Canadian bands for an intimate performance by the Hip. For hard-core fans it was a dream come true. The party also raised thousands of dollars for the Rutherford Creek Bridge Disaster Fund.

Whistler's annual wine and food celebration, Cornucopia, took third best party in 2003.

For those who didn't make it to any of those parties this year, don't dwell on it. There were enough memorable nights to go around. Voters also remembered the fun of Halloween at various bars, Canada Day, the Pemberton Barn Dance and Ninja Night at Sushi Village. It's safe to assume that some remembered more than others did.

Best new business in 2003

We like our hair to look good underneath our helmets and toques. Two hair salons were in the top three best new businesses in the 2003 reader's poll. The top spot went to Good Hair Day. The salon opened in February above Mountain Blooms in Function Junction. Owner Sarah Brown was ready to branch out and do her own thing when she opened Good Hair Day and she hasn't looked back since. Brown says she has been fully booked cutting and colouring hair since she opened the doors 10 months ago.

Second place for best new business of 2003 goes to Esporta, also in Function Junction at the end of Alpha Lake Road. You can bring in your smelly sports clothes (i.e. those fetid hockey bags full of gear that festers in the backs of cars or basements for months at a time) and get them cleaned at Esporta. Their disinfectant will get rid of bacteria and fungus from the equipment. And the smells!

The Loft Salon, another new hairdressers above 7-Eleven, took third place.

Gift or present that best says "Whistler"

There can be no doubt about the gift or present that best says "Whistler." It's been the hands down winner for the past two years in a row. It's the gift that keeps on giving. It is, without a doubt, a Whistler-Blackcomb season pass.

Those voters who took a more "inside the box" approach to this category, chose a T-shirt that actually says "Whistler" as the gift or present that best says "Whistler" as second runner-up. And toques, which are worn inside and outside in Whistler for any occasion, took third place. To some extent your toque is your defining piece of clothing in the resort.

This category would not be complete however without all the things that you find in every souvenir shop in Whistler. These include bear poop in a can (though giving poop as a present might not be your best move), a 2010 T-shirt, a "Whistler" snow globe, "Whistler" postcards, a "Whistler" shot glass, a "Whistler" coffee mug... you get the point. Those who weren't thinking quite so literally, chose some more practical gifts that best sum up Whistler. Things like skis, cash, hoodies, fleece, a drunken phone call, a bong and pot cookies all made the list.

Place in Whistler least like Whistler

The hub of arts and culture in Whistler, where performances range from ski movies and pantomimes to nature speakers and church services, took the top spot as the place in Whistler least like Whistler. Maurice Young Millennium Place, which has been operational for two years, is a centre designed to develop creativity, spiritual and intellectual awareness in the community. Maybe we don't think of ourselves as artsy or creative or intellects in Whistler!

Millennium Place is not the only landmark-type place in Whistler that got votes in this category. Intrawest, the day lots, the Re-Use It Centre, the Bottle Depot, Creekside, Tamarisk, the Chateau and the West Side Road all made the list as places least like Whistler.

Starbucks got the second place vote and other big name corporations also had their names on the list. The new Village 8 movie theatre, which finally brought more than one movie screen to town, got third place. A couple of votes also went to the Mystic Tan booth at the Tanner's Edge, a place where any pasty winter-worn person can get a spray-on tan in 60 seconds. The misty shower makes people look as though they've just come from a warm sandy beach rather than a chilly breezy ride on the Peak Chair.

Best place for people watching

It was a landslide victory for the Citta's patio this year, just like it has been in years past. Citta's is the place where you go for apres under the heat lamps in the wintertime and the place where you go for Friday night drinks after work during the summertime. Citta's is the best place to check out the drunken louts getting kicked out of nearby bars, and can you really ask for better entertainment than that? It is the place to see and be seen. So it comes as no surprise then that second and third choice go to Moguls and Village Square respectively.

Village Square is the hub of the village itself, prompting Councillor Nick Davies to recently call it an amenity in the community that gives Whistler "sparkle factor" when the eyes of the world are on the resort. The Longhorn and the GLC also got votes for their prime location at the base of the mountains - always a good spot to watch someone scorpion themselves at the end of a long day.

A vote also went to the nudey dock at Lost Lake as the best place for people watching, though we're not sure if the naked people would appreciate someone watching them intently. Then again, maybe they don't mind at all.

Favourite Whistlerite in 2003

If you drove past Creekside during all the road construction this year, there is no way you could have missed him. He always had a friendly wave, always a smile for the passing motorists. When all the others held their "slow down" signs as though it was their personal ball and chain, this guy looked as though he was enjoying every minute of his work shift. So "Ben, the happy construction worker in Creekside" got top votes for favourite Whistlerite in 2003 - quite an accomplishment for someone who supposedly lives in Squamish and commutes to work!

Jamie Burnette and Ed Elliott from Moe Joe's took second place together. Burnette and Elliott are two of four men who were killed when the Rutherford Creek bridge washed out during the October floods this year. They will be remembered in Whistler as two of the best for a long time to come.

And not to forget our top civil servant, Mayor Hugh O'Reilly who came in third place with voters. O'Reilly has been in local government for the past 14 years and has been leading the resort for seven years.

Best make out spot

Everyone probably has their own perfect make out spot that they don't want to share in the Best of Whistler. But voters who did kiss and tell sure are adamant that if you're going to put the moves on someone in Whistler, it should be on one of the gondolas. The gondolas topped out again as the best place to swap spit. Voters didn't get specific with their choice of gondolas or on whether it's best to do it uploading or downloading. It might just be the panoramic views that do the trick. Or maybe the gondolas bring out the exhibitionist in us, where we can put on a display for all the bears, bird and the bees!

Other votes for public displays of affection in the great outdoors go to Lost Lake Park, the golf course(s), West Side Road, the skateboard park, and the Whip Me, Snip Me lookout, among others. And our exhibitionist tendencies also apply to some indoor locales too, like Tommy Africa's, Sushi Village (after many a sake margarita), and the movie theatres.

Best excuse for being late to work

You learn soon enough that there are no friends on a powder day in Whistler. So if we're willing to ditch buddies for the fluffy stuff, it's no wonder that we don't give work a second thought when it starts to snow around here. Fortunately there are many employers in Whistler who can understand and appreciate lateness when the excuse is POWDER. They know all about fresh lines because most of them would ditch work for powder too! How can you tear yourself away? The general rule of thumb in Whistler is that if it snows 20 centimetres the night before, you go to the mountains when you wake up, not to work. Work will always be there, whereas 20 cm of fresh disappears so quickly.

Other voters used the old excuse of the bus being late, which just doesn't have the same cachet as being late for powder.

There were also a number of excuses that would never be able to fly anywhere else. Only in Whistler could you tell your boss you're late because you "lost your ski on the hill" or you "got hit by a tourist skiing" or "no one picked you up hitchhiking" or you "had a bear in your car."

Best neighbourhood

This is a hotly contested category and every year almost every neighbourhood in Whistler gets a mention. It's nice to see that there's something for everyone here. Despite the noise and the dust, despite the road work that overtook the neighbourhood throughout the bulk of the year, despite the disparity between swanky new businesses and long time Whistler chalets, Creekside got top votes.

It's Whistler's original neighbourhood, established long before there was a village or a development on the Benchlands. And its disparities perhaps account for some of its unique charm. On one side it has all the finesse of an Intrawest development and on the other side you can step back in time to the Whistler of the 1970s.

Second best was Alpine, shot down from its top spot last year. With the Meadow Park Sport Centre and the high school at your doorstep, it's no wonder Alpine gets so many votes every year.

And then a close third is Tapley's. If Nesters is where the locals shop, then Tapley's is where the locals live.

Pemberton also got a mention as best Whistler neighbourhood which goes to show how close these two communities are in the grand scheme of things. We do realize however that the typical Pembertonian likes to refer to Whistler as "Pemberton South."

Best lie to tell tourists

We love the tourists in Whistler. That's not one of our best lies. We really do love the tourists. Or at least we love them because we need them. The tourists are our bread and butter. The tourists are the reason why we can all work and live and play here. The tourists, and the fact that they keep coming, make Whistler one of the best ski resorts in North America.

But best of all, the tourists keep us entertained. A few white lies never hurt anyone, especially when it affects our skiing or riding. To ensure our own enjoyment on the mountains, voters told tourists that the Dual Mountain is 30 km up the road and that the lifts open at 10 a.m. We also lied about where the best runs are on the mountains. It's not cruel, it's just good powder sense.

The top lie to tell the tourists though has nothing to do with the mountains. In fact, it's a lie that many a frontline worker in Whistler stores tell after they've been asked the same question 50 times - "yes, it is in U.S. dollars." Why anyone would wonder if we deal in U.S. dollars in Canada is a whole other question that's better left unanswered.

Other lies include: "it never rains here," or "there's a secret tunnel under the mountain," or "watch out for polar bears," or "we hide in the moguls in summer." So while it's true we love tourists, we also love to have a little fun with them!

Best public place to hang out during a blizzard

Does anyone remember the monstrous blizzard last year that came upon Whistler-Blackcomb in what seemed like an instant? If you were on the mountains at the time you would remember the chairlifts stopping for about 40 minutes because it was too windy to move them (never mind all the people that were actually stuck on them). Ski racks were falling over, trees came down and the mountain actually shut down after lunchtime. Generally it seemed as though the world was coming to an end.

Those who were on Whistler Mountain will agree that the best place to be that day was in the sweet sanctuary of the Roundhouse. There the winds stopped howling, the snow stopped stinging your face and the blood began to flood back into your hands and toes. The Roundhouse was a beacon of warmth and comfort where you felt safe. It was just like coming home (never mind the fact that you still had to ski out).

The Roundhouse topped the list as the best public place to hang out during a blizzard. Meadow Park fell to second place for people that like to workout when there's nothing else to do outside.

And for everyone who picked "home" as the best "public" place to hang out during a blizzard, you missed a key word in the category before answering this question!

Favourite Whistler Councillor

Councillor Ken Melamed didn't shy away from "asking the tough questions" throughout 2003. This pro ski patroller and self-employed stonemason is often the lone dissenting voice on major issues that come before council. He was the only councillor to vote against the Olympics. He was the only councillor to vote against amending the Official Community Plan to allow residential housing in the Callaghan Valley and the South Cheakamus Bench near the town dump (for the Olympic athletes village).

More recently he was the only councillor to vote against the Nita Lake Lodge development, which will bring an 80-room hotel and 14 large homes around the shores of Nita Lake, Whistler's smallest lake. He also was the only councillor to withdraw his support of the non-cost housing initiatives this year. These initiatives were designed to create incentives that would stop the erosion of employees suites in the resort. Melamed felt the bylaws did not give the municipality enough power, allowing homeowners to add on employee suites to their homes but then not requiring them to rent the suites out to employees.

Melamed took top votes in the 2002 election last November. It would appear that he's doing his job to the satisfaction of his constituents as he takes home the title of Favourite Whistler Councillor in this brand new Best of Whistler category.

Celebrity seen most often in Whistler

It's one of the so-called perks of living in Whistler that we, the plebeians, get to rub shoulders with the very rich and very famous. It has been said that celebrities like coming to Whistler rather than to the big name ski resorts in the States because Canadians leave them alone. Generally we don't get frazzled or hysterical if someone famous walks down the road or stands beside you on the lift line. And our renowned politeness stops us from making a scene when a celebrity passes by.

Whistler gets its share of celebrities but the one most often seen around town is of course Seal, who has been riding in Whistler for years. Swollen Members, who have played to sell-out shows in Whistler over the years, are also spotted frequently in the village.

We also have our own home-grown celebs that are also seen around town. Sports heroes like snowboarding Olympic champion Ross Rebagliati, or downhill champion Steve Podborski or pro mountain biker Richie Schley can be spotted at any given time mingling with the rest of us.

Food and Drink

Best restaurant overall

Rimrock: The resort's love of fine seafood served with flare and style continues as this outstanding restaurant wins this category for the second year in a row. Always interesting, the seafood and famous Oysters Rimrock will tempt even a confirmed carnivore.

Second place this year goes to Sushi Village, which year after year continues to offer the freshest sushi in town. The restaurant's creativity with new rolls and flavours always surprises and its kid-friendly staff make every meal enjoyable.

Third spot this year is a tie between the WildWood and Araxi.

When someone else pays

Rimrock: Why not enjoy the best in own when it's not your loonies paying the bill? And since the best restaurant according to the best listings of the best things in Whistler is the Rimrock, that would make it a shoe-in as winner for this category. Rimrock also makes a mean martini to wet your appetite.

Second place goes to the Bearfoot Bistro with its unique menu and fabulous wine list.

Third in this category was Araxi which has tempted everyone recently with its new oyster bar and tasting menu. This long-time Whistler restaurant was named best in Whistler by Vancouver Magazine this year and received an award of excellence from Wine Spectator magazine in 2003 as well.

Value

WildWood: With two locations to serve you better these eateries have captured the hearts of the local population looking for the right sized meal at a great price in a nice atmosphere. One of the popular places to get a hearty breakfast in town, the Wild Wood Pacific Bistro at the Whistler Racquet Club is also kid friendly. Workers at Function Junction are still wondering what they did to deserve the yummy sandwiches at the Wild Wood Café which keeps even the coldest day at bay.

Runner up this year is last year's winner, Uli's Flipside at the Whistler Creekhouse. Its generous portions of pasta smothered with mouth-watering sauces served with salad for a down-home price keep it at the top of the list for anyone looking for a good deal.

Third this year is new to the category: Caramba! There's no doubt it's a great place to share a pizza, salad and glass of wine before taking in a show at nearby Millennium Place.

New restaurant

Sachi Sushi: This new eatery has taken the resort by storm and even on a blustery Monday it's hard to get a seat without waiting. Defined as Japanese with a North American accent, the menu melds both cultures seamlessly; featuring Japanese delights mixed with local Canadian produce, from wild salmon to farm fresh asparagus. The two owner-operators are Dean Mawson - who runs the front end of the business, is Canadian born and bred, and has more than 10 years living on the West Coast; his business partner is Tokyo born and bred head chef Toshiyuki Kobayashi, who has been living in the Canadian west for nearly 20 years. The two transplants ended up meeting in the hallowed halls of Sushi Village.

Second in this category goes to Wild Wood Pacific Bistro, which is still being discovered by locals and destination visitors alike. Third spot was taken by Casa, Uli's Flipside sister restaurant in St. Andrew's House.

Wine List

Bearfoot Bistro: This Restaurant was honoured by Wine Spectator for having one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world.

In six years under the steerage of founder André St. Jacques, the Bearfoot has morphed from a casual bistro into one of British Columbia's top restaurants. Naturally, Dom Perignon is offered by the glass and the Bearfoot Bistro's cellar boasts 1,300 labels and 14,000 bottles. And since champagne and wine should never be served without caviar there is a trolley, which carries it around. But don't be put off as the Bearfoot also offers a fine selection of unique wines priced moderately.

Second in this category goes to Araxi and third place goes to Wildflower.

Atmosphere

Casa: Above the madding crowd casual connoisseurs can cuddle, chill out and chow down at this trendy spot in St. Andrew's House in the village. It's morphed a few times in the last couple of years but the ambience is always friendly, always welcoming, and the food is always great.

A close second this year was the Mallard Lounge in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Its comfy couches, armchair loungers and real fireplace just makes you feel like it's Christmas all season long. It helps that it serves one of the best Monte Cristo's in town.

Third this year goes to the Cinnamon Bear, a great place to relax and put your feet up. It also offers board games, which can be enjoyed by "kids" of all ages.

Pizza

Busterino's: Definitely a local's favourite, thanks to its homemade sauce and crust. If you haven't tried it yet head on over to the Royal Bank building and get a Loaded Alpine Meadows pizza and savour the flavour. It also offers several pizzas a day by the slice.

Runner up in the pizza category goes to Avalanche, last year's winner. Still great pizza anyway you slice, it especially with its organic dough.

Domino's took third place again this year - always-great pizza at a great price. It's still tops with kids who love the cheese pizza and crusty base, even for breakfast!

Scotch

Mallard Lounge: Every good glass of scotch has a story to go with it and that is why where you enjoy it is so important. For the second year imbibers of the national drink of the kilt wearer have chosen the Mallard Lounge in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler as "the" place to raise a dram or two. And it's no wonder with its subdued tones and hearty décor. You could almost spot a wee haggis running around if you looked quickly enough to catch the rare sight.

Black's pub was the runner up in this category, with the Dubh Linn Gate coming in third. No doubt their proximity to the mountains played a role as weary skiers and riders stumble in search of the golden nectar to thaw their bones out.

Cigars

Mallard Lounge: Tucked carefully at the back of the Mallard Lounge in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a glass enclosed cigar-smokers haven. With large leather chairs and a great view of the garden, if this is your passion the Mallard is the place to go.

Second place went to the Vancouver Cigar Co on Main Street, which has an outstanding selection of cigars. Third place went to Castro's Cuban Cigar Store on Sundial Place.

Steaks

Hy's Steakhouse: It melts in your mouth, sending your taste buds into a frenzy - yes I'm talking about good old Canadian beef. And according to carnivores that know, Hy's is the place to sit down and satisfy those beefy cravings. High on the list to try is also the baby back ribs glazed with Hy's own sauce.

Runner up this year again is the Keg, which always offers good quality for a good price. Sometimes at the end of a day on the slopes what you need is a Keg-sized steak, a Keg-sized Caesar and a place to really relax.

This year third spot goes to the Wildflower restaurant in the Fairmont Chateau. It's no surprise as there really isn't anything this upscale restaurant doesn't do well.

Burger

Splitz Grill: Year after year burger lovers choose Splitz as the place to enjoy this American invention.

Lauded for its convenience and versatility as either snack or entree and labeled as both a cultural icon and a cliche, the hamburger, ".this omnipresent beef-between-bun creation is a meaty, multifaceted phenomenon," said Jeffrey Tennyson author of Hamburger Heaven: The Illustrated History of the Hamburger . The average American consumes nearly 30 pounds of hamburger a year - three burgers per person per week - totalling 38 billion annually, which, placed end to end, would form a chain of hamburgers 1.8 million miles long.

Tennyson suspects that human-kind's love of hamburgers began when we were not humans at all, but a 5-foot-tall pseudo-human called Australopithecus, who, quite by accident, discovered the wonderfulness of cooked meat when either lightning or a spark from the friction of stone tools ignited dry grass and seared freshly killed bison.

Fast forward the picture a couple of million years to the Russian tundra, where the first recorded "burger history" shows that nomadic horseman laid the groundwork for the modern-day hamburger. Then, Mongolian and Tartar warriors, who loved the taste of raw steaks, softened their filets by placing them under the saddles of their horses while riding into battle or on marauding parties.

Later, when it was time to eat, the filet would be eaten raw, having been tenderized by the saddle and the back of the horse. Supposedly, this is the origin of the delicacy steak tartare, the raw first step to hamburger.

Fast forward the picture again a couple of hundred years and stop on New York's Ellis Island, where immigrants from Germany were entering the United States in the early 19th century with a recipe for "Hamburg style steak," a chopped and broiled filet that was served raw in Hamburg.

Later the patty would be joined with a bun, ushering in the modern era of the hand-held sandwich.

Now that you've had the history lesson pay more attention to the concoction when you eat it.

Second place this year goes to Ingrid's (Yeah!!!) with Citta's taking third.

Takeout

Samurai Sushi: Newly expanded, this take-out favourite is tops again this year. Now on the upper level at Nesters Square Samurai Sushi offers great dine-in service too. But don't tell anyone! Quick and friendly there's always hot green tea to keep you warm while you wait and kids' specials make it a great place to stop by for take-out dinner for the family after a long day at the office.

Second this year is Pasta Lupino, which only serves up the very best Alfredo sauce in the universe. Sadly, for our hips, it can be easily taken home and enjoyed in mass quantities, as it should be.

Third place this year goes to Portobello, which has, hands down, the best take-out sandwiches in Whistler. Thick slices of fresh bread with every trimming you can imagine, all for one price. And Portobello at the Fairmont Chateau also serves outstanding Torrefazione Italia coffee.

Breakfast

WildWood: Getting ever more popular the WildWood moved from third last year to first this year as best spot for breakfast. Both its Function Junction location and the restaurant at the Whistler Racquet Club offer early morning risers a yummy selection of traditional breakfasts, banana bread French toast and an array of omelettes and eggs benedicts to choose from. Heck, try them all.

A close second this year is Colin Pitt Taylor's Riverside Café, tucked away at the country-club style camping ground at Mons Crossing.

Third place goes to the Wildflower in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. (OK, that means that this establishment has been mentioned in almost every category!) Sunday brunch here is to die for. But don't eat for several days before you go.

Latte

Behind the Grind: Really no argument is possible here as Behind the Grind actually serves the best lattes and Americano's on the planet. Always served with a smile by owner Chris Quinlan, each tasty treat also comes with a news tid-bit or comment of the day. Never a dull moment at this hopping joint.

Moguls coffee takes second place this year with Esquires coming in third.

Beer Selection

Dubh Linn Gate: If you can't beat them join them. This cozy Irish pub has taken top place for years now so if you haven't stopped by to raise a pint now is the time to try one - or more. Not only do they carry a host of Irish and English beers and ales they also offer some unique brews form the continent. If you still want to sip North America brew there are lots of choices. There's also great pub food to go along with your selection and often toe-tapping Celtic music to put you in the mood.

The BrewHouse, opposite Millennium Place takes second spot this year. The brewery produces four different handcrafted ales and two lagers, as well as specialty seasonal beers. You can even watch the Brew Master at work while enjoying his handiwork.

Brewery tours are offered every Thursday and Saturday at 3 p.m. It also has the biggest patio on "The Stroll" which is great for people watching in the dying sunlight of a winter's evening. And the pub sports seven 27-inch televisions, a big screen, two pool tables and a cozy two-sided fireplace.

Third place goes to Black's Pub, which offers one of the widest selection of beers available in the village.

Service

Wildflower: With a focus on only offering the best it is no surprise that this eatery in the Fairmont Chateau has taken first place in the service category. Servers, chefs and all the staff work to make sure that the whole dinning experience is one to remember.

Runner up this year is Hy's Steakhouse, where the staff is discreet without being evasive.

Third this year is Sushi Village, where you are always greeted with a smile. And if you are really lucky the chefs will send over some special invention, not on the menu, for the table to try and rave about later. A special mention goes to all the servers who know that starving kids need rice and edamame ASAP.

Chef

Vincent Stufano at the Wildflower: Stufano's culinary philosophy and passion reflects the growing trend towards a healthier and down-to-earth lifestyle. Working with neighbouring farmers to seek out the finest in regional and local organic produce is the essence of his cuisine. His preference is to allow the natural flavours of food to express themselves.

Originally from Montreal, Canadian-born Stufano was lured into the culinary world when his passion for this industry and for food was recognized at an early age. He went on to study the culinary arts at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where he learned to develop his own unique style and flair. He continued with his career at exclusive restaurants and hotels such as Chez Danielle, La Belle Auberge, The Pan Pacific Hotel and The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

Second place this year is taken by Chef Bernard Casavant famous for his philosophy of using fresh, local ingredients. Dishes come from the fields to the plate in the same day and this has created a loyal and dedicated following, especially for breakfast.

This year third spot goes to Mike Naggy at Casa.

Waiter

Feet Banks: It's a plane, it's a bird, it's super-waiter Feet Banks. Yes, none other than the Pique's own movie reviewer, who moonlight's at Sushi Village, has won this much-coveted award. It just goes to show you that he can not only serve up the shows, he can serve-up the sushi.

Second place goes to Audrey Schertzing at Wildflower and third goes to Andy Crimp at the Bearfoot Bistro.

Sushi

Sachi Sushi: It's fresh, creative and just a little bit different and Whistler is eating it all up. This new eatery on Main Street is packed nightly as locals and visitors alike line-up to enjoy old favourites and new. The vegetable roll in a soya bean sheet is a hit, as is the House roll, a scallop roll with spicy mayo draped with avocado and salmon. And the Bento boxes at lunch are one of the best deals in town.

Sushi Village, the granddaddy of super sushi in Whistler, takes second this year. Third spot goes to Sushi Ya.

Martini

Mallard: It's all in how they shake them. Or maybe it's how they are stirred. Whatever your choice, this sophisticated lounge in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler has the perfect martini down to an art. There are dozens of variations so break out and try a new one.

It helps to have the roaring fire, and larger lounge chairs to enjoy while you sip the ice-cold concoction too.

Second place this year goes to the Bearfoot Bistro, which just goes to show you that the cocktail part of any fine dining experience is alive and well.

The Savage Beagle takes third this year. It's still the best place in town to get a Crantini.

Seafood

Rimrock: Just close your eyes and imagine the melt-in-your mouth taste of rare seared Ahi tuna marinated in soy, mirin and sake. Just one of the favourites at this year's winner of the best seafood restaurant in town. With a focus on fresh the Creekside eatery strives to bring diners the best fresh catches of the day all year long. And thanks to their local's menu offered every year the whole town can enjoy succulent seafood hours from the coast.

Second place goes to the Crabshack, where it can be as entertaining to watch bib-wearing diners eat a crab as it is to order one.

The Wildflower at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler takes third in this category. Seafood lovers can not only enjoy the seasonal best off the menus they can also feast upon it at the Wildflower's brunch, where the crab and salmon offerings alone are worth the visit.

Clubs, Pubs & Bars

Best DJ

Milton: The Alien has been defeated. Stealing the best DJ title from last year's winner, Mat the Alien, is DJ Milton, who's all over town lately: Wednesday nights at Garfinkel's, après at the GLC, November's Reload party and his own birthday bash back in October. Most importantly, his funky house tracks and tribal beats can always make the people groove. "I just enjoy the music," says Milton when asked what keeps him behind the tables. And of being recognized this year? "It feels pretty damn good."

Mat the Alien's still on the radar with a second place finish while third place went to Best Artist winner and jack of all creative trades Chili Thom.

Bartender

Scott Musgrave, Tommy Africa's: "He's a local celebrity," says Tommy's manager John Tischuk of his star bartender. "He knows everyone in Whistler."

He's Scott Musgrave - a man Tischuk calls the ideal bartender: personality, flair and charm with the ability to mix a great martini. It's a sure thing that along with your beverage you'll also get a flash of his winning grin, likely what nudged Mr. Musgrave to the top of the deep bartending field this year.

A close second place is a tribute to late Moe Joe's staffer Jamie Burnette.

Third place went to last year's title winner and Moe Joe's head honcho Andy Flynn.

Place to Cut a Rug

Tommy Africa's - With its sunken floor, centre DJ booth and go-go platforms, it's impossible not to dance at Tommy's. Whether it's the retro-tunes on the popular Monday '80s night, Gary Moore's UK dance beats on Cash Wednesdays, or the eclectic mix of world-renowned DJs that swing by Sunday evenings for Soul Kitchen, Whistler's longest-running club night, there's always a reason to get down. And if you need a little inspiration, the Tommy's go-go dancers up by the DJ booth get the groove on like no others.

Last year's winner Moe Joe's ended up in second place this time around, and bringing up third was Garfinkel's.

Place to see a live act

The Boot Pub. It's small, cramped and the ceiling is low, but the Boot's got what other venues can't buy - heart. Whether it's California jam bands, dancehall reggae, or rippin' raw punk rock, the Boot is a solid bet when it comes to live music.

And in the biggest surprise of the year, it even played host to two shows by the Tragically Hip. Tickets sold out in approximately half an hour and all proceeds were donated to the victims of the Rutherford Creek flooding tragedy, which had occurred just prior. As Pique entertainment writer Shelley Arnusch wrote: "there's something so unbelievably special about seeing a group, that could very well sell out GM Place tomorrow, close enough to reach out and touch true fans packed into a neighbourhood pub, stoked grins on their faces, arms around each others' shoulders, beers raised in the air." The essence of the band, but also the venue.

Backing up the perennial winner were Garfinkel's in second place and Buffalo Bill's in third.

Coolest Staff

Moe Joe's - The basement bar can get crazy sometimes, but the Moe Joe's staff, inside and out, always keep their cool, which is probably why they've gotten the nod for best staff yet again. It wasn't an easy year for Moe Joe's. Back in October bar managers Jamie Brunette and Ed Elliott were victims of the Rutherford Creek flooding tragedy. But instead of crumbling, the Moe Joe's crew found the strength to keep going, keep smiling, and throw their lost co-workers a great tribute/fundraiser featuring Friday night house band WDC.

Now with another crazy high-season in full swing, Moe Joe's, like every bar/club in town is dealing with crowds, lineups, and a million drink orders at once, so when they smile at you, remember to smile back.

Second place goes to the Tommy Africa's crew, and in third place, the staff at Garfinkel's.

Après Ski Bar

Longhorn. As you slide down the last piece of slope into Whistler Village, there it is, like a big grin, beckoning your sore legs in for a cold beer. The Longhorn has received international fame as the ultimate après-ski spot, and Whistlerites second that emotion. Head inside for appetizers on the cold days or prop your sticks up by the patio wall and share a pitcher on the huge patio on the sunny afternoons. Either way, a day on the slopes without a stop at the Longhorn somehow feels incomplete.

Merlin's in the Upper Village took second for their great après tunes and mammoth nacho platters, while third place went to Dusty's in Creekside.

Patio

Citta's - If you're hanging with a group of friends on the Citta's patio, always have a couple extra chairs around because it's inevitable that more and more friends will just happen to be walking by and decide to sit a while. That's the great thing about patios. They're as much about who's walking by as who's at the table, and Citta's rounded deck, right in the thick of the village, attracts passersby like a magnet.

Second place goes to the Longhorn's patio, the ultimate après meeting spot at the base of the mountain. Third place goes to the smaller but equally as fun patio outside the Amsterdam, just a stone's throw from the winner.

Place to shoot some stick

Cinnamon Bear. Follow the maze of hallways through the Delta Whistler Resort lobby level and eventually you'll end up at the Cinnamon Bear, a lounge as warm as the name implies. Soft lighting, armchairs, a blazing fireplace, and a corner with a couple of pool tables where friends can meet and shoot stick without worrying about some bozo bumping their elbows or spilling beer in front of the eight ball.

In second place was après ski winner the Longhorn and in third place, Buffalo Bill's.

Local Hangout

Citta's - Protruding into the busiest stroll in the village like a hitchhiker's thumb, Citta's is the ultimate people-watching/gathering spot. The large patio also took first place honours and inside, it's not the biggest place, but two levels make it comfortable. Lots of tables, nice lighting, big windows and a corner to shoot some stick. In terms of location and atmosphere it's the ultimate meeting place. So it's no surprise it's the local's choice this year for best place to hang.

In second place is casual sports pub Tapley's, where the game is always on and friends are made over beers and darts.

Citta's neighbour The Amsterdam shares the third place honours with Best Live Venue winner The Boot Pub.

Media Arts & Culture

Band/Musician

Dave Crowley: Whistler may be glossy on the outside but it's got a heavy metal heart, all Priest and Sabbath and guitar solos and waist-length hair whipping around like a tornado. Whistler is pretty but the Crowley Band ain't, which is probably why they have such a loyal following. When the top-40 lobby-music Whistler workers are forced to listen to by day is just too much, Dave Crowley and his bandmates Rico Holiday, Brian MacDonald and Mark Bannock are there for them. The band is a semi-regular fixture in the clubs, wailing all the best old school metal covers with the odd original thrown in for spice. Crowley himself throws down all the famous guitar solos with mind numbing dexterity. Losing sexy frontman Brad Makepeace a couple months ago was unfortunate, but really, it's Dave's raw-edged version of George Michael's Careless Whisper that makes the girls weak in the knees. Keep on rockin' Dave!

Coming in second was WDC, a weekly fixture at both Moe Joe's and the Crab Shack. And in third place, last year's winner Guitar Doug.

Artist

Chili Thom: He's young, wild and paints the Whistler world with lush swirling skies and cartoony snow-laden trees like the bastard child of Vincent Van Gogh and Dr Seuss. In the same sense he can also be quiet, invoking an ancient spirit world in his mossy green forests and coastal waterscapes. His unmistakable style is all over this town. Thom had his own exhibit at the upstairs gallery at MY Place last summer and his works are a fixture at the Adele Campbell Fine Art and Design Gallery, on the walls of Sachi Sushi, Casa and countless other locales. They're also for sale at Daily Planet.

Thom also co-founded and is a regular participant in the Heavy Hitting Films' annual B-Grade Horrorfest, jumping off Brohm's massive cliff in his star turn this year as Lake Thing and "kicking ass for the Lord" as Green Jesus in last year's festival debut.

His creativity also shows up at massive local parties thrown with his wife KLC Nash, that usually feature Thom behind the decks - another one of his many talents that garnered him a third-place finish in the Best DJ category. He's young Whistler through and through, so it's no wonder Mr. Thom takes home best artist this year.

Close behind was last year's winner Cori Ross, and bringing up third, WDC guitarist Pete Coulliard.

Writer

GD Maxwell: Like the smart kid that sat at the back of the class and threw out witty comments for which even the teacher had no comeback, G.D. Maxwell's column sits at the back of the Pique, waiting to ensnare the reading public with his wry takes on life and everything else. Some people read him last, some people read him first, but everyone reads him. No surprise then that he's done it again, another best writer in Whistler award for Max.

Nipping on his heels was freelancer Kara Leah Grant and in a tie for third, hardworking news/sports writers from team Pique, Alison Taylor and Andrew Mitchell.

Event of the Season

World Ski and Snowboard Festival: Big air, crazy races, great tunes, a 72-Hour filmmaking contest and one big Hullabaloo, the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival in April is huge, huge, huge. Maybe it's because spring is in the air and everyone feels like partying. Or maybe it's because even though Telus gets its name on the bill it's our festival, a way to show how much we truly rock, both on the hill and off. In any case, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival is still number one.

In second place was the Olympic Decision. A hot summer day in July brought the community together to celebrate getting the 2010 Games. Derogatory bumper stickers or not, no one could tarnish the shine on that golden moment. In third place, perennial favourite Opening Day on Blackcomb.

Local News Story we're most sick of

The Olympics: No community likes to be narrowly defined by anything, let alone something that hasn't even happened yet. And while being awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics in July was a major coup, the downside is that now we have to talk about it for another six years. Anything and everything seems to revolve around the Olympics. Buying a house, choosing a career path, walking your dog, you can't escape some sort of commentary on how the Olympics will affect every minutiae of life. When 2010 rolls around the excitement of hosting the entire world will more than make up for it, but in the meantime, enough with the Olympics already!

In second place was the ongoing saga of Nita Lake Lodge, the courtroom battles which are as tedious as the boom, boom, boom of the pile driving for the lodge, which begins faithfully at 8 a.m. every morning.

In third place, perhaps because national media attention during a time of tragedy can be trying, is October's flooding which affected so many throughout the Sea to Sky corridor.

Quote of the Year

"Just give 'er!" Hapless headbanger duo Terry and the Deaner from last year's Calgary-made indie film hit FUBAR are a new generation's Bob & Doug MacKenzie. While ageing hosers may still throw out the ol' "take off, eh," now and then, the word these days is "just give 'er!" Dropping into the half-pipe? "Just give 'er!" Working hungover? "Just give 'er!" Wanna go talk to that cutie across the crowded room? "Just give 'er!" It's encouragement, it's agreement, it's hoser-speak for a new millennium. It's the Deaner's answer to all things in life.

"Yeah, that's a plan," he says nonchalantly, "to just keep givin' 'er."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Sports and Recreation

Run on Whistler-Blackcomb

This year's selection for Best Run speaks volumes about the sad and sorry winter of 2002-2003. Statistically, snowfall was better than average, but the problem was that it dumped a lot around Christmas and a lot in March, with very little in between. As a result we were stuck to the groomers more often than not, and had a chance to reacquaint ourselves with the Dave Murray Downhill - this year's top run.

Second place this year went to another groomer, Blackcomb's awesome Ridge Runner.

Khyber's, an out-of-bounds selection that's really more of an area than a run, finished third.

By way of comparison, the out of bounds Peak to Creek run won the most votes in the past two Best of Whistler contests. Second place in BOW 2002 went to Spanky's Ladder, another area you typically only visit when there's lots of snow on the ground.

With a great start to the season this year, it will be interesting to see where the votes go next year - powder runs or groomers.

The responses we got this year were varied, with more than 29 different runs receiving one or more votes.

Best Outdoor Sport (other than skiing or snowboarding)

Once again a huge majority of voters selected mountain biking as the top outdoor sport that isn't skiing or snowboarding, and for good reason. WORCA, the local mountain bike club, once again had more than 1,000 paid-up members, and the local Loonie Race series saw anywhere from 200 to 400 participants on any given night. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park broke all records once again, and locals were a big part of the reason.

There are a lot of other reasons to be excited about mountain biking. River Runs Through It went through a massive renovation this year, and trail chef Chris Markle finally completed his 24 km Comfortably Numb epic. Yep, it's a good time to be a mountain biker.

Number two on the list was hiking, which pulled ahead of golf, our number three outdoor sport, this year. This summer was perfect for both sports, that is if you got off your bike enough to grab the walking stick or the clubs.

Other selections for outdoor sports include skateboarding, hockey, canoeing, disc golf, rollerblading, rock climbing, trail running, fishing - the list goes on. There just aren't enough hours in a day.

Best Indoor Sport

We play a little bit of hockey up here in Canada it seems, and it comes as no surprise to see that our national pastime - not to be confused with lacrosse, our national sport - took the most votes for 2003.

It's also interesting to note that Whistler voters chose hockey over sex, which must be why Saturday is officially Hockey Night in Canada, and not sex night.

Sex was followed by indoor climbing at the Great Wall in the votes this year.

Other sports to get a few nods include ice skating, tennis, squash, gymnastics, martial arts, and volleyball.

Best Snowmobile Tour

If you're only visiting Whistler, one thing you have to do at least once is go for a snowmobile tour. It's a completely different way to enjoy B.C.'s huge backcountry, day or night.

This year Cougar Mountain, which operates out of the Soo Valley, took the title for the Best Snowmobile Tour. Canadian Snowmobile Adventures' Crystal Hut Tour was a close second, and the Whistler Freeride tour was third.

Blackcomb Snowmobile also received a large number of votes.

Best Heli-Ski Run

It's not something most of us can afford to do every day, but we all wish we could hop in a helicopter and leave the crowds and lineups behind us.

In this year's voting, all of the runs that were selected are self-guided heli-drop runs.

The Rainbow Mountain drop got the most votes this year, and for good reason. With yourself and four friends, you can do a drop from the top of Rainbow Mountain and ski all the way down to Alta Lake Road or the Alpine subdivision for about $60. Once you're down all you have to do is call a cab to take you to the bar to celebrate.

You need full avalanche gear and should be prepared for anything, but it's a one-of-a-kind experience.

Next on the list is Mt. Currie in Pemberton, which is a little bit steeper than the Rainbow drop. Still, you're never going to regret it.

Armchair Glacier was third on the list.

Best Bike Trail

A few years ago the Resort Municipality of Whistler put a trail counter on A River Runs Through It, and was amazed to find out that there were more than 14,000 hits in less than three months.

After undergoing more than $20,000 in repairs and upgrades, with the help of a Community Foundation of Whistler grant, Whistler's favourite bike trail for the second year running is better than ever.

There was some damage as a result of the flooding in October, and the river log needs to be righted, but it looks like this is going to be our favourite trail for a long, long time.

Number two on the list this year was A-Line in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which could very well be the most ridden trail in North America. If you've never ridden it, it's wide, it's windy, and covered with literally dozens of table top jumps.

Voters put our newest, longest trail, Comfortably Numb, in third place. This run opened officially at the end of this summer, and is a solid 24 km in length. Aside from a short section on some reclaimed logging roads, this trail is almost entirely singletrack from the start at Wedgemont Parking Lot to the finish at Lost Lake, and features some of the most enjoyable technical sections of any trail in Whistler. Give yourself anywhere from three hours to seven hours to complete it.

Other trails to get votes include Danimal, Train Wreck, Industrial Disease, Tin Pants, Shit Happens, Cop Killer (Pemberton), Creampuff (Pemberton), Dirt Merchant (Bike Park), Ride Don't Slide, the Valley Trail, and PHD.

Best Municipal Park

Whistler is blessed with an abundance of parks to play in, beaches to tan on, barbecues to grill on, and lakes to swim in. Sometimes it gets too crowded to even dream about tossing a Frisbee around, but the quality of people watching makes up for it.

The most votes went to Rainbow Park once again. Lost Lake was second in the tallies and Meadow Park, with the awesome kids water park and a couple of sweet baseball diamonds, was third.

The Whistler Skatepark was a close fourth, and just about every park and sports field in town got a few votes.

Favourite Whistler Athlete

Until Erik Guay won a silver medal at Lake Louise a few weeks ago, Whistler's Rob Boyd was the only Canadian male downhill skier in our national history to land on the podium at a World Cup downhill on Canadian soil. It was all the more fitting that he accomplished this feat in his adopted hometown of Whistler in 1989, and did so after a dramatic near crash on the Fallaway section of the course - letting it all hang out in the tradition of the Crazy Canucks.

It was just one win in more than a decade of skiing with the national team in a legendary career.

Following his World Cup days, Boyd raced in the Over The Hill Downhill series, and even entered a few skier cross competitions. He also made a name for himself as a strong freeskier, and was the captain of the Whistler Freeride Team for many years.

Now Boyd is coaching the next generation of ski racers at the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, and entering local races for fun. Although he's still a speed specialist, he's not above racing a few gates now and then, in the Kokanee Valley Race Series and the Power Vitamins Cup on Jan. 1.

Boyd was speechless to receive the most votes in this year's best of Whistler.

"What do I say? I'm hardly even an athlete any more," he said. "I'm on the hill all the time, so that might have something to do with it."

Boyd is excited about coaching and says winning the award for favourite athlete is inspirational.

"It inspires to keep giving back into the sport that has given me so much, to pass on everything I've learned to the next generation so they can enjoy it like I enjoyed it," Boyd said.

The second most votes went to another alpine skier, last year's Best of Whistler winner Britt Janyk. Janyk, 23, is currently in Europe with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team for a series of World Cup technical races. You can follow her adventures with the team every second week in Pique Newsmagazine.

Third place this year was a tie between mountain/road biker Will Routley and Canadian downhill legend and Olympic booster Steve Podborski.

Routley was one of Canada's top espoir (Under 23) riders last season, and was solid in the Test of Metal and Cheakamus Challenge, and won the bulk of Loonie Races. He also won the grueling Samurai of Singletrack, which is arguably one of the toughest one-day mountain bike races anywhere.

Podborski continues to act as an ambassador for Whistler, and helped to bring the Olympics to Canada in July. One of the most famous pictures to come out of Prague during the IOC meeting to determine who would get the 2010 Winter Games was of Podborski, Wayne Gretzky and former Prime Minister Jean Chretien smiling as they walked together out of the conference room.

Podborski also recently became an ambassador for Right To Play, a non-profit international group sponsored by the IOC and United Nations that brings sports to the children of war-torn countries.

Right To Play (www.righttoplay.com) was founded to aid in the healing process for millions of refugees and children affected by conflicts by giving them a physical and mental boost through sport, and by building team spirit and self-confidence in individuals while establishing positive role models.

More than two dozen athletes received one or more votes this year. This list includes snowboard hero Ross Rebagliati, new school grommets Kye Petersen and Sean Pettit, new school nuts Mike Douglas and Chris Turpin, pro snowboarders Mikey Rencz, Jeff Pelchat and Matt Bird, iron woman Mae Palm, disabled athlete John Ryan, mountain bike coach Sylvie Allen, mountain bike legend Richie Schley, freestyle mogul skier Sylvia Kerfoot, and guys by the name of Andrew Burns, Keith Reid, Mike Atkinson, Brad Maepeace, Dave Basterchea and Matt Ryan.

Health & Fitness

Best Fitness Facility

In all fairness to the other entries, it's hard to compete with Meadow Park and its hockey arena, swimming pool, children's pool, cardio centre, weight room, squash courts, aerobics studio, and foosball table. They have the equipment to do any exercise or stretch known to man, and offer a wide array of different programs.

It's also kind of cool to walk around and see all of the world class athletes in Whistler that train at the Meadow Park Sport Centre.

But while Meadow Park ran away with most of the votes, a hardcore group of locals picked the Whistler Creek Athletic Centre, a.k.a. The Pumphouse. It's small and can't compete with Meadow Park in terms of facilities, but a lot of athletes actually prefer it because it's less crowded and fosters a real Rocky III kind of serious training ethic. You go there to get a workout.

Third on the list was the gym at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Other votes went to Great Wall climbing centre, the Whistler Racquet Club, Equilibrium and the Whistler Martial Arts Centre.

Best Dentist

Good dentists can come in handy when you live in a town that encourages activities that can result in flying over your handlebars or dropping off of objects in such a way that your knee and mouth are in the same general area.

Dentists and their staff also have the difficult job of keeping teeth clean and healthy for a transient population that is too busy to floss and too broke to visit the dentist every six months.

This year, and for the third year in a row, the award for Best Dentist once again went to Dr. John Roberts of the Creekside Dental Clinic - the only guy in B.C. who's happy to hear when someone is from Ontario because of their great teeth. It has something to do with the fluoride in the water.

The second most votes went to Dr. James McKenzie at Whistler Dental.

Pemberton's Dr. Anne Crowley was third.

Every single dentist in town got a few votes, so you're in good hands wherever you go. So go already - the longer you wait the worse that cleaning is going to be.

Best Doctor

The problem with living in the mountains is that gravity can get the best of you at times, and there's nowhere to go but down.

Luckily Whistler has a good core of doctors in town to stitch up our cuts, wrap our wounds with gauze, set our casts, evaluate our x-rays, scans and tests, and dispense all manner of ointments and pills. They are the people who get us back on our feet, and back in the mountains to challenge gravity once again.

This year, after finishing as a runner-up for several years, the most votes went to Dr. Tom DeMarco of the Whistler Medical Clinic.

"That's pretty exciting," said Dr. DeMarco.

"When I first began practicing here seven years ago, my brother had just won this distinction. Ever since then I hoped to earn this honour myself."

He added, "The appreciation expressed by my patients is mutual. I've often boasted that I would not trade my practice here for any other in the world."

Dr. Karen Kausky, also of the Whistler Medical Clinic, was second in the votes this year.

Dr. Ian Tamplin of the Town Plaza Medical Clinic was third.

Votes also went to Dr. Adam Kendall, Dr. Rob Burgess, Dr. Lauren Shaw, Dr. Dan Wallman, Dr. Janice Carr, Dr. Karen Johnston, the list goes on. Pick any name out of the yellow pages, and they got at least one vote this year.

Best Physiotherapist

Although doctors do work miracles, almost nobody gets back out in the mountains without at least one visit to one of Whistler's incredible physiotherapists. They rehabilitate our injuries, stretch out our tight muscles, ease our aches and pains, and even change the way we sit, stand, ski, snowboard and mountain bike. When a physio gives you a list of stretches or exercises, you do them.

This year Whistlerites once again picked Allison McLean of Peak Performance Physical Therapy and Massage as their favourite physio. Chances are that at least one of those votes belonged to the Pique's own G.D. Maxwell, who has mentioned Allison's good works in several of his columns. One would hope he didn't pick himself in the Best Writer category.

Allison was excited by the vote of confidence in her abilities as a physiotherapist.

"I think it's probably the greatest compliment I could ever have, to have people vote for me because I helped them, that's the biggest thing of all. People do get better, and now they're saying that by picking up a ballot and voting," said McLean.

"I'm really quite honoured, because I really love this place and feel a part of the community. This just makes me feel that even more."

The second most votes went to Marilyn Hellier of the Whistler Physiotherapy Group. Vicki Powell of Peak Performance was third on the list.

As a testament to how Whistlerites feel about their physios, some 16 physiotherapists made the list this year, and you needed at least a dozen votes to crack the top three.

Best Health Trend

Health trends come and go, defining our culture in the process as we latch onto the latest health products and regimens. The '50s were all about Charles Atlas, and spring-powered chest expanders that would put an end to getting sand kicked in our faces at the beach. The '60s were all about hula hoops, the twist, and other aerobic dances. Juice bars and aerobics were born in the 1970s, along with the big gym trend. The '80s were all about leg warmers, aerobics, and home gyms - e.g the Soloflex, ThighMaster. The '90s were all about running, speed walking, and variations of aerobics - spin classes, dancercize, step aerobics, etc.

The new millennium is all about building core strength and flexibility, which is why Yoga was selected as the Best Health Trend for the fourth year in a row.

Pilates, another core strength and flexibility regimen, was second in the voting. Third went to cleansing, a process by which a person restricts their diet in different ways for a set period of time to cleanse organs, blood, and glands, to stimulate weight loss, or to accomplish other health goals.

Other health trends include the low-carbohydrate diet, core stability workouts, steam rooms, tai chi, Qi gong, wearing helmets, and wearing condoms.

The Mystic Tan also got a few votes, evidently because looking healthy is as important at getting healthy in Whistler.

Best Spa

There are 206 bones and approximately 600 muscles in a human body, and after a hard day on the slopes it can feel like every single one of them is sore. One part relaxation, one part revitalization, Whistler's wide selection of spas are there to make you feel better. If it seems decadent to spend an afternoon getting massaged and groomed, that's because it is - but it's so necessary.

This year Pique readers picked the Vida Wellness Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler as our best spa. Even the spa tour on the Web site, www.vidawellness.com, is relaxing.

Revolution Salon and Spa, the Best of Whistler winner for the past three years, was a close second in the votes this year. Third place went to the Avello Spa and Health Club.

Most spas received a number of votes, with the Vital Spirit at the Delta, Farfalla, Solarice, Nibbana, Whistler Therapeutic Centre, and Beauty of Whistler leading the way.

Best Hairstylist

Tonsorial titan Marjory at Funky Diva in Function Junction won this coveted award with an impressive stack of votes. Sarah at Good Hair Day, in the same location as Funky Diva, was second by just three votes. Jenny Wong at Revolution was third.

More than a dozen individual hairstylists got nods this year, representing just about every salon in town. Which brings us to.

Best Salon

Good Hair Day won top honours this year, followed by the Funky Diva. The Loft Salon on Main Street was third. Multiple votes also went to Revolution, Farfalla, Blackcomb Barbershop and Razzamatazz.

Best Massage

The magic hands of Linda Livingstone at Revolution Salon and Spa won the best massage award this year.

"I'm so excited," she said. "When I heard I called up my mom, because I just couldn't believe it was me."

Livingstone says it's nice to have your work recognized, and appreciates the response from her customers. "It makes me happy to have a job that makes others happy. That locals recognize your work is awesome, it's the best compliment you can get."

Lesley Byford of Peak Performance was second, followed by Richard Gagne. Other nods went to Jamie Winslow, Kathryn Lord, Kendra Starr, Donna McMurtry of Peak Performance, Andrea Moore at Advanced Sports Physiotherapy, Christina Suter of Whistler Physiotherapy, Laurie Shaw, Colleen Laird, and Kerry Price at Blue Highways.

Shops & Wares

Best place for men's clothing

When it comes to material goods, Whistlerites may think globally but they prefer to shop locally - as in locally-owned and operated stores. Whistler doesn't have any big box retail stores or factory outlet malls - at least not yet - so perhaps the support of local businesses is understandable. But even the national chains frequently run second to the independent Whistler stores in the following categories.

Pharcyde, the funky little store on Main Street, topped the charts as the most popular place for men's clothing. This suggests there are Whistler men who wear something other than logowear, or women who want to see their men in something that doesn't constitute advertising apparel.

In second place was Eddie Bauer, a chain store but one with a strong regional connection.

Third best place for men's clothing was the Re-use-it centre. There are any number of interpretations: One man's rejects are another man's wardrobe. The price is right. Indestructible men wear indestructible clothing. At least it's clean. Or perhaps it's just that the Re-use-it centre is down in Function Junction, next to all the stores that sell power tools.

Best place for women's clothing

A woman reserves the right to changer her mind. Some people see this as a perfectly satisfactory explanation for behaviour they don't understand. Others suggest it's a sign of schizophrenic tendencies. Either explanation could be used to explain the three-way tie for first place among The Gap, Guess and Pharcyde as the best place to buy women's clothing.

Second place was another Sybil-like saw-off between Le Chateau and Willy's. Blue Ball's Boutique finished third.

The question left hanging: would Macy's, Sak's Fifth Avenue or Liz Taylor survive in Whistler?

Ski shop

Since 1999 Pique readers have chosen Bill Lamond's Wild Willies ski shop as their favourite place for ski stuff. Wild Willies has grown to three shops in that time - Creekside, village and the original at Nesters Square - but the expansion has only led to more loyal, satisfied customers.

Second place was a tie between Summit and Fanatyk Co, two more locally-owned and operated ski shops. Third place went to Snowcovers.

Snowboard shop

After a three-year rein as top dog among boarders, Showcase fell out of the top three this year. Shredding the competition this year was Westbeach, which has a year-round clientele through its strong snow/skateboarder connection.

Runners up this year were two more local independents, The Circle, which finished second, and Summit. The Circle ain't broken and Summit has vowed to reach the top next year.

Bike shop

While the winter world may be divided between skiers and boarders there is no such division in the summer world; everyone bikes. And Whistlerites are pretty particular about their bikes.

For the fifth year in a row bikers have chosen Evolution as their favourite bike shop. Think how much bikes and the sport of biking have changed over the last five years and the magnitude of this accomplishment starts to sink in. It also speaks to the timelessness of another aspect of the retail business: service.

In second place, with another devoted fan base, was Fanatyk Co. Third place was scooped by Katmandu.

Three more signs that people particular about their equipment are particular about where they shop.

Grocery store

Nesters Market, Nesters Market, Nesters Market, Nesters Market. Why do we even have this category anymore?

Now part of Jimmy Pattison's empire, and with a second location in Yaletown, the people at Nesters have remained the same and so have their customers: loyal.

Second place this year was grabbed by IGA Marketplace. The big store with plenty of free parking has shown time and again that it is part of the community and ready to help out when asked.

Third place goes to The Grocery Store, locally owned and operated and with a far wider range of gourmet foods than you would think. Bob and Sue Adams know Whistler and know what customers are looking for.

Video store

To the disappointment of many guys, size does matter. Rogers has the size and the selection, and that makes them Whistler's favourite video store. VHS or DVD.

Runner up is Creekside Video. Third place goes to Nesters.

Photo finishing

With two locations and years of history in Whistler, Whistler 1 Hour Photo Source is the people's choice. Proprietor Rick Clare is well enough known that a few years ago, while on holiday in Australia, a local resident came up to him and said, "You're Rick from Whistler 1 Hour, right?"

Turns out the Aussie had spent a year in Whistler.

Second place went to 28 Minute Photo. Slalom 1 Hour Photo was third.