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The Best of Whistler 2009

The year before the year of the biggest event in Whistler’s history was pretty eventful
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While there is usually a sense of nostalgia at the end of the year, 2009 may be one year that people want to forget. It's the end of a decade that began with much hype and hysteria, but the end of the world never happened and Y2K was a bust. Then there was a stolen election, followed by an unspeakable act of terrorism, followed by eight years of war on a noun.

And 2008 ended on such a high note, too, with the election of Barack Obama and his message of "Hope," and an economic crisis that appeared to be under control. If nothing else 2009 was supposed to be a chance to start over, a fresh slate, a new beginning.

But Obama turned out to be more of a centrist, which if you paid attention is kind of what he said.

So far, despite authoring one of the biggest economic collapses in history, only a handful of ponzi schemers have gone to jail in the U.S. or Canada. Meanwhile the same banks and companies that wiped out trillions in wealth and millions of jobs are back to posting obscene profits and bonuses, while the weak regulatory system that allowed the collapse to happen in the first place hasn't been shored up in the slightest. There was no closure, no blame assigned and nothing has been done to guard us against the next inevitable bubble and economic collapse. Unemployment remains high as we shift into 2010 and could ultimately drag this "recovery" on for years.

The environment and climate change were somehow dropped from the global To Do list, and the most recent climate conference in Copenhagen was a bust.

Locally, it's been a tough year in a lot of ways for both employers and employees. This summer the Whistler Food Bank filled a record number of bags for locals, all but depleting the stores they were building up to get through the coming winter. The community has answered back in its usual generous way, but such demand for social services was previously unheard of in the summer months when jobs were usually easy to find.

Pay parking? Don't get anyone started. H1N1? We all think we may have had it but are not really sure.

As for our local businesses, not everybody made it. The difference a year makes can be plainly seen in a walk along Village Stroll. Some shops are still papered over while others sprouted new tenants almost overnight - mainly tenants of the franchise variety but that's the way of the world these days.

The good news is that it could have been much worse. Life went on as usual, or close to it, and there was a lot to celebrate. Winter ended well after a generally poor year for snow and the village was as busy as ever for the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The steady stream of Olympic test events at Whistler venues also kept things interesting last winter and drew visitors to the resort.

Spring turned into summer rather quickly this year, and summers just don't get any better in this part of the world. We had months of good weather to run, bike and laze at the lakes, which have never been warmer. People were swimming and wakeboarding in Green Lake without wetsuits, which is not something a sane person would usually attempt.

Crankworx was massive, the biggest year yet, while the World Police and Fire Games also stopped by to enjoy Whistler's trails and golf courses.

Fall was a nerve-wracking time with the entire resort wringing hands over the Olympic aversion effect, a very real phenomena where tourists tend to avoid an Olympic area in the months before and immediately after the Games under the assumption that everything is closed, that it's expensive, that it's under construction, that you're not wanted, that you'll go to sleep and wake up tied to a moving bobsleigh...

The resort spent considerable resources to counteract the aversion effect while dropping our prices below even "worst economic crisis of the last 80 years" levels. Whistler Blackcomb knocked $430 off the price of a regular ski pass and $130 off a spirit pass. Hotels were offering three nights for the price of two and other perks, and there's no question that it's helped even if we're down overall.

Mother Nature delivered, though, and November was a record month for the resort with 560 cm of snow - more than four times the average for the month, and more than any month on record for the past 30 years.

Which brings us to the New Year. Despite all the events ramping up to the Games in Vancouver and Whistler, everything becomes real on Jan. 1 when Whistler wakes up, bleary-eyed, to the reality that the Games are just 44 days away! It's the next thing on our day planners, and in some ways The Only Thing.

Until then, enjoy our Best of Whistler list of 2009. We at Pique are pleased to say that we received a record number of entries this year. Under our house rules, participants had to vote in several categories for any of their votes to count, and in some categories we received more than 900 votes. Congratulations to the winners, the runners-up and everyone and everything that received a mention this year.

 

Quintessentially Whistler

Favourite Whistlerite

He's a teacher, he's a councillor, he's even been Santa Claus. With very little surprise, Tom Thomson has been voted the community's favourite Whistlerite for the second year in a row. And really, what's not to like? He takes a conciliatory approach on council, voting along with some controversial decisions but never in a way that alienates or angers his fellow citizens. He always tries to see the positive when everyone else is being dragged down by pessimism. When Whistler temporarily lost the medal ceremonies, he vowed to make a Whistler medallion to hand out to all the athletes - at his own expense. Really, what's not to like about the guy? Other candidates here include Rick Clare, the veteran community member who owns Whistler Foto Source and is one of three directors of Coast Mountain Photography. Andy Dittrich also figured prominently - clearly Whistler loves its photographers.

 

Best Inukshuk

Inukshuks are Inuit symbols that have come to take on wider relevance as the official logo of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. With rocks piled up to give the impression of a natural embrace, they have various meanings. They're a means of communication as guides and markers for special places, leading wayward travelers to trails, food caches and even migration routes of caribou. You won't find many caribou in Sea to Sky but Inukshuks are abundant. And the one at Whistler Mountain's Peak has been voted the best in Whistler. This one doesn't lead you to a lot of food (unless you like eating the spray of skiers and snowboarders) but it's a gateway to some of the best terrain in the resort. The inukshuk at the Roundhouse, meanwhile, leads you to some great food that energizes you for the second half of a ski day.

 

Best example of Whistler architecture

Whistler's most reviled building is also its most beloved, if this survey is any indication. The Whistler Library came out on top as the best example of local architecture. People in town may give the library a hard time for its energy bills but this building has its admirers. It came out far and away the winner in this category. Despite its problems, there is no question that with its sod roof, geothermal heating and large windows, it is a beautiful piece of work that uses natural light to illuminate its vast interiors. It far eclipsed the runner up, the Mushroom House in Emerald Estates, whose beautiful interiors look like they've grown gracefully out of fungus.

 

Best performance by a local politician

It was a tight race in this category, with two popular municipal councillors going head-to-head for best performance by a politician in Whistler. Grant Lamont eventually outlasted fellow councillor Ralph Forsyth for best performance, gaining praise from Whistlerites for his efforts to revisit the pay parking issue. Locals loved him for getting council to back down on its motion to institute pay parking at the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre parking lot. Pay parking came at a very bad time in Whistler - property taxes were going up, the economy was tanking and instead of making cuts the Resort Municipality of Whistler just kept on paying for things. Things like Olympics tickets; Arc'teryx jackets; and an "Olympic yearbook" to foster fond memories of the Olympics for staff at municipal hall. Rising taxes broke the camel's back and pay parking killed it. Lamont made sure council revisited its decision but pay parking is back whether we like it or not. Forsyth, meanwhile, won acclaim for his outburst when council delayed a decision to look at keeping the Teddy Bear Daycare open. A dramatic turn, no doubt, but people loved him for bringing daycare to the fore.

 

Idea for a new Olympic event

There's overwhelming support for equality in sports here and that desire is manifested in the feisty women's ski jumpers. Whistler voters think women's ski jumping is a rather novel idea for a new Olympic event and they're left to wonder why the International Olympic Committee doesn't agree with them. They've taken their fight to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, the Supreme Court, the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. And they've been turned down each time.

 

Best use of money

Respondents in this category seemed a little confused as to whether it was referring to a personal use of money or by a public body. Either way, ski passes proved popular. Really, what better way is there to spend money in Whistler if you don't have a war chest to spend on shopping in the village? A ski pass is a ticket to some of the best terrain in the world, be it Spanky's Ladder, 7th Heaven, Peak to Creek or otherwise. This really is an obvious question if you're talking about the best way for people to spend their own money. In second place was the Whistler Library, which is all over the map as far as public opinion goes in Whistler.

 

Worst Use of Money

Although there was another special appearance by the Library, this category saw paved parking lots come out on top as the "Worst Use of Money" in Whistler. The lots have been gravel pits for as long as many can remember. For years they sufficed just fine, despite the dust that penetrates people's eyes in the summer. Why pave them? Ah yes, that little event that's coming in a couple months' time, and the vehicles and temporary buildings that will be parked there need a pleasant surface. Thanks, Olympics! "Parking" in general came in a close second in this category. We're to presume people mean paying to park in Whistler, not something people up here are used to. Celebration Plaza came soon after. The Library also figured as a poor use of funds, according to some.

 

Best Olympic/VANOC moment of 2009

Throw your dog a bone, they say. VANOC and the Resort Municipality of Whistler ought to have heeded the same advice more than 100 days before the Olympic Games and there might have been a lot less whining around here. There wasn't a lot of whining after the 100-day countdown celebration, which saw thousands of Whistlerites turn out to the Telus Whistler Conference Centre to grab at free wings, desserts and cake, not to mention a chance to hobnob with Quatchi, Sumi and Miga. Whistler got its cake, ate it too, and suddenly the mood around the Games changed completely. The one-year countdown, held last February to much fanfare in Village Square, came in second.

 

Most sustainable thing Whistler's done this year

Who ever thought Whistlerites would be so proud of a mountain of manure? That's precisely the case here, as voters have selected the composter in the Callaghan Valley as the most sustainable thing that the municipality has done. Part of Whistler's goal to become a "zero-waste" community, the composter has two 70-metre long tunnels that take about two weeks to process waste products into compost. It takes products from Whistler's wastewater treatment plant as well as a mix of wood chips, commercial and residential food waste to make a smelly mixture it can then sell for gardening purposes. Second in this category was continuing the Farmer's Market, which now operates in the winter in the warm halls of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.

 

Least sustainable thing Whistler's done this year

Whistler's paving fetish is proving the least sustainable thing that the community has done in 2009. The day lots, celebration plaza, the wetland adjacent to the transit facility; paving paradise to put up a parking lot seems a common thing for the community these days. It's also brutally unpopular, as this survey attests. Any manner of paving came out atop this category this year, whether Lot 1/9, the day lots or the BC Hydro site that now houses the hydrogen bus station - whose budget was kindly unveiled last week after months of delay. Speaking of hydrogen buses, they came in a close second to any paving. The buses are here now. They're bigger, quieter and apparently don't emit anything but water. Gordon Campbell wanted Whistler to be a test community for a "hydrogen highway" he promised back in 2007 but among Whistlerites a "B" grade for sustainability among its bus fleet would be generous.

 

Party of 2009

Whistler is full of three- to four-day parties so this category had some strong competition. Beating the odds, however, was the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, which took place from April 17 to 26 this year. And really, who can blame anyone for voting this way? This year's festival hosted concerts by big artists including Metric, 54-40, The Stills, Ozomatli and Z-Trip. Beyond that there's the Orage Masters, where elite skiers go head to head in Wizard of Oz and pirate costumes; the filmmaker showdown, where you see the best in filmmaking talent that Whistler has to offer; and who can forget this year's crowning moment - "Rob Boooooyyyyyd, Rob Boooooyyyyyd, Rob Booooyyyyyd is God." Other competitors here included Cornucopia with events like Casino Royale, Crush and the Wine Tasting Tour. The Bass Coast Project also figured prominently.

 

Best New Business

Who would have figured pizza was so popular here? That's what the survey tells us, as Creekbread came out far and away the winner here. The upstart flatbread pizza restaurant at the Whistler Creek Lodge ingratiated itself into the community early, asking locals to help to build their oven. The place is now renowned resort-wide for a warm, inviting atmosphere and innovative pizzas like Pemberton Potato Pie. "Food is love" is its slogan and it could not be truer of the place. A lot of love and effort is invested into every pie. Not to be outdone, the resurrected Misty Mountain Pizza came in a strong second here. It's a business that's operated in Rossland, B.C. for some time but is now back in Whistler, offering its own concoctions like the M&M Special, with ham, pepperoni, onions, mushrooms and green peppers. Rasoee - The Indian Kitchen was also a popular one here. Located in the old costume shop space in Whistler Village Centre, it's a franchise that's proven awfully popular with dishes like butter chicken, Angus beef curry and the Maharajah Platter.

 

Little-known Whistler factoid

Now this here category was all over the map, talking about "little-known factoids" that are actually rather well known. People don't like living in the village? Yeah, even city folk can figure that. They don't like hearing suburban kids puking their guts out in Village Square at 3 a.m. either. The most popular "little-known Whistler factoid" (self-defeating, in a way, if enough people know about it) is that Whistler is nothing like Peak Season. That's right. Whistler is not a drunken, philandering community of aimless youths where you can get free shots at the Amsterdam. Apparently no one knows that! Other factoids including the dubious claim that Mons got its name because someone at some point in history found a "snow" sign backwards. Hard to believe, given that Mons spells "Snom" backwards. And if you flip it upside down it looks like lower-case Greek letters.

 

Best neighbourhood

Streetlights be damned, Alpine Meadows is Whistler's favourite neighbourhood! With some of Whistler's oldest houses and community pioneers located there, Alpine has proven the most popular. While not close to the village, Alpine Meadows is quiet, quaint and located next to the Meadow Park Sports Centre and some beautiful trails for hiking and biking. It's a great place for families as the kids need only walk across the street to get to high school. Creekside came second, a popular location because of its proximity to a ski lift, not to mention great bars like Dusty's and Roland's. Bayshores was third, followed by Whistler Cay and Nordic. Not much love for the village here.

 

Best Lie to tell tourists

The "Dual Mountain" prank has a monopoly over this category. It's one you love to pull on tourists when they get a "Dual Mountain Pass" and then ask where in the hell "Dual Mountain" is. Common practice is to point them in the direction of the one in Marketplace. Or Function Junction. Or heck, point them toward Squamish or Pemberton and let them figure it out for themselves. Actually don't do that. We know what a slow season looks like and we don't want that again. If you really want to lie to tourists, tell them it's snowing and trap them into coming up here! Other good lies to tell include letting them know that the chairlifts open later in the day so that locals can hog the best terrain. Or that Whistler Mountain is sweeter.

 

Best Place to Hang Out in a Blizzard

Home, simple as that. There is nothing that can top it on a cold day outside. Far and away, that's how Whistlerites feel. They'd rather be home than at any number of social joints like Tapley's, Citta' or the Gone Bakery. For them, home is where the hearth is. That isn't to say it's the only place Whistlerites would like to be. Dusty's provides welcome respite from a blizzard with its world-famous Caesars and appies. The GLC too proved a great place to hide from the snow or when the temperature falls beneath -20. The Crystal Hut also ranked high, as did The Core, the Roundhouse and the Cinnamon Bear.

 

Most Extreme Thing To Do

It's been around a heck of a long time, but bungee jumping still gets the hearts of Whistlerites pumping like no other activity. It eclipsed Ziptrek, heli-skiing and Air Jordan as the most extreme thing to do here. And we've got a great facility in which to do it - Whistler Bungee, way down in the Cheakamus area. Standing 160 feet above the mighty Cheakamus River, you tie yourself to a bridge and foolishly plunge yourself off it, hoping to goodness the line doesn't snap (it never does). More extreme religions have been known to use it for baptisms. No joke. Though it didn't take top prize, Ziptrek did make a strong showing in this category. The activity made famous by its appearance on ABC's The Bachelor, Ziptrek involves tying yourself to a line and literally throwing yourself down, kind of like in the movie Cliffhanger except you're not exactly pulling yourself. Rumour has it a zipline will be set up in Downtown Vancouver during the Olympics.

 

Best Excuse for Being Late

Snow. What other excuse is there in Whistler? We don't have much traffic, a fairly reliable transit system and cold air can cure a hangover within minutes, so if you walk to work you have no reason to look as though you've stumbled in from the bar. Whistlerites know this and have rightly voted "snow" as the best excuse for being late anywhere. Though not always worth it, it's awful tempting to see dry snow landing in flakes outside your window and then test your board on the powder blanketing the mountains. Some of us do and our bosses are kind enough to let it slide. Poorer excuses for being late include seeing bears on the Valley Trail, but that too proved a good excuse here. Some people just don't know that bears won't bother you if you don't bother them.

 

Thing Whistler Will Be Known For After the Games

The people, no question. Legions of smiling faces flashing across the world's television screens will leave no doubt in anyone's mind that Whistler is a haven for friendly people. The "Ask Me, I'm a Local" program will go a long way to helping with that, as will anyone who points people in the right directions. And preferably not to "Dual Mountain." Other memories of Whistler the world will take home with them after the Games will include our community's natural beauty, its parties and its hospitality, although we'd like to think we already have a reputation for all those things. The Olympics, we hope, will just make that better. The partying, of course, also figured prominently here, and with artists such as Usher, Deadmau5, K'naan and Blue Rodeo playing here during the Games, there'll be plenty done to accentuate that part of resort living.

 

Food and Drink

Quintessential Whistler dish

Although it has its roots in Southeast Asia, Whistlerites have seemingly adopted sushi as the community's quintessential dish. Interestingly, the traditional form of sushi is fermented fish and rice, which is preserved with salt, with the word sushi literally meaning "it's sour." Filling, healthy and fun to eat, sushi has definitely permeated the food culture of this community, with (at last count) seven different places to grab an assortment of rolls and traditional Japanese dishes.

Also ranking high in the running as a quintessential Whistler dish were poutine and Fat Tony's legendary beef and blue cheese pizza. As a side note, however, alcohol doesn't really qualify as a food group, and someone's girlfriend "lightly sauced and topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries" sounds like an acquired taste.

 

Best restaurant overall

For the eighth consecutive year, the Rim Rock Café has captured the hearts (or should we say bellies) of our discerning voters. Operating in their tucked away locale in Creekside for over 20 years now, they offer fine dining in a casually elegant atmosphere. Their menu boasts a range of classic game and fish dishes, as well as an impressive assortment of raw and cooked oysters, along with game hen, caribou and buffalo rib eye, all prepared with a distinct flair. Plus, its owned and operated by two longtime locals, Rolf Gunther and Bob Dawson.

 

Best Restaurant when someone else pays

In these troubled financial times, it can be hard to justify opening up your wallet to splurge on a nice dinner out. But if someone else is picking up the tab, the place you want to go is the aforementioned Rim Rock Café. With entrees climbing upwards of $52 (for a half lamb rack or filet with half lobster), splashing out at this beloved local hotspot can be a pricey prospect, but you're sure to get serious bang for your buck.

The recession has produced at least one pleasant side effect for foodies: it's seen fine dining restaurants adjust their menus and prices accordingly, and here in Whistler, that means many have opted to extend their shoulder season prix fixe menus for a few extra weeks, so keep an eye out for deals!

 

Best restaurant for value

Whistler restaurateurs are no slouches when it comes to creating great specials for the perpetually poor residents. But there's one hotspot that comes to mind when your stomach is rumbling and your wallet is feeling a bit light - Pasta Lupino. There, you can get a delicious feed of fresh pasta and bread, homemade sauces and soups, and gourmet espresso at very reasonable prices - eat in or take away. Choose from mix and match pastas with alfredo, Bolognese, or fresh basil and plum tomato sauce, or one of their house specialties: lasagna, ravioli, and spaghetti with meatballs. Pasta Lupino has come in second in this category for two years before finally overtaking the three-time winner Samurai Sushi, which has come in second place this year for their great, affordable sushi dishes like their infamous Samurai Special.

 

Best new restaurant

With the Olympics just around the corner, Whistler has seen an amazing amount of movement in the food and beverage industry, with many longtime fixtures selling or closing, and new places springing up overnight. But Creekbread, the new natural flatbread company that has set up shop in the former home of Uli's, Setebello and Anasazi, to name just a few, has blown the rest out of the water with their delicious specialty pies like Kalua Pork (pulled pork), Pemberton Potato Pie (a rich and creamy concoction) and Coevolution (a take on the traditional Greek pizza). They source many of their ingredients from the surrounding region and bake each and every pizza in their wood-fired clay oven, and people can apparently taste the difference. They also host weekly fundraisers for local non-profit groups, proving that though they're one of eight restaurants owned by The Flatbread Company, they're not a heartless chain: they care about the community.

 

Best atmosphere in a restaurant

Nestled in Creekside, the Rim Rock Café has been welcoming people into its rustic dining room for two decades. With a fire always blazing, this respected, upscale fine dining establishment offers an inviting atmosphere without the pretension that so often comes along with Zagat-rated spots. The upper floor dining room is also broken up into smaller sections, which offers an intimate and comfortable dining experience.

 

Best appetizers

Elements has been Whistler's only strictly tapas joint in town for a long time, but PCH Prime, a new tapas spot in Creekside, has very recently joined its ranks. But that's beside the point. For the third year running, Elements has won this category. They say that the original tapas were slices of bread or cheese that were used to cover alcoholic drinks and keep fruit flies away. Well, Elements has taken this rudimentary system to the next level with their impressive menu, which features dishes like lettuce wraps and panko-crusted feta cheese. Plus, you can't do appetizers without a drink, and these guys have a great cocktail and wine list to complement your meal.

 

Best take-out

Whistlerites are a busy crew. Constantly running between their many jobs, sporting events and social activities, it can be hard to find the time to sit down for a meal, let alone prepare it. Heck, some of the hellholes that people call home don't even have functional kitchens. Hence, "take-out" is often found on the tips of locals' tongues. It appears that the folks at Samurai Sushi have truly mastered the art of the takeaway - they can prepare and pack up a lunch or dinner in the blink of an eye (or two), and they get special bonus points for implementing a plastic bag policy and using environmentally friendly packaging.

 

Best sushi

Whistler has a plethora of sushi places - at last count, there were seven for a town of just 10,000 year-round residents - but Sushi Village has once again stolen the sushi show. These guys have been on the scene since 1985, gaining notoriety for their pitchers of dangerously delicious sake margs, party atmosphere, and innovative takes on traditional rolls. Something of a social hub in the village, many an epic party has started out in their semi-private booths.

 

Best steak

It's not easy to cook a steak to perfection, but the folks behind the scenes at Hy's Steakhouse definitely have it down to an art form, winning this category for the sixth year running. All of their steaks are cut in house from specially selected AAA Alberta beef, which has been aged a minimum of 28 days, and each is grilled to order. Hy's is a carnivore's paradise, offering NY strip, filet mignon, porterhouse and bone-in rib steak, and mouthwatering specialties like filet steak Neptune, a butterflied filet mignon topped with fresh asparagus, blue crabmeat and hollandaise. Drool.

 

Best dessert

This category is pure torture for any sweet-lover to sift through, with entries like 21 Steps' Belgian Chocolate Brownie and The Mix's Chocolate Molten Lava Cake. But the hands-down winner in this category was the Rim Rock Café's Sticky Toffee Pudding, a warm, moist pudding that sits in a puddle of gooey, sweet toffee sauce, topped with decadent vanilla ice cream. Save room for dessert.

 

Best breakfast

A solid breakfast is a must pre-ski and post-party. Heck, your mom's been telling you for years: "breakfast is the most important meal of the day!" There are a few spots in town that know how to do a solid fry-up, but the people have spoken, and the Wildwood is their pick for a place to go for their first feed of the day. The two Whistler locations - one in Function Junction and another at the Whistler Racquet Club - offer early birds and late risers alike a choice of traditional breakfasts, banana bread French toast, omelets and eggs benedicts to choose from.

 

Best burger

Splitz Grill is the only strictly-burger joint in town. Sure, there may be lots of other places in Whistler that feature burgers on their menus, but these guys have it down to a science. Sweeping this category for a seventh year running, Splitz's many burger options include the Legendary Splitz, Grilled Chicken, Spicy Lentil, Saltspring Lamb and Italian Sausage, which can be customized with an array of homemade sauces and fresh veggies and served with a side of house cut French fries, of course.

 

Best quick lunch

Trying to cram in a quick feed before making it up for an afternoon session on the hill? You have plenty of options - sushi, pizza and sandwiches all spring to mind. But the top spot to grab a speedy bite to eat is Gone Bakery and how can anyone argue with that? They offer up an impressive array of fresh, hearty soups, chilies and chowders, hunks of fresh bread and lots of pre-made sandwiches and baked goods. Just place your order at the counter, pay, grab your tray and pray that there's a place left to sit and eat!

 

Best pizza

Bar stars are the true experts on this category. After a solid night of tossing back drinks, getting a feed of greasy goodness is of utmost importance, and the folks at Fat Tony's seem to understand this. With optimal placement near the taxi loop, they've been named the favourite spot to go for a wedge of the good stuff. They offer traditional toppings like pepperoni and cheese, but also have more unusual options like beef and blue cheese and mango chicken to keep things interesting.

 

Best nachos

Though one voter felt that Merlin's nachos don't have enough cheese, many, many others begged to differ, naming this Upper Village spot their favourite place to get a huge portion of this après ski treat. "Home of the extreme après" their nachos are $19, and feature tortilla chips topped with generous helpings of cheddar, jalapeño peppers, olives, tomatoes and sweet red onion, served with sides of sour cream and salsa. You can also add guacamole, roasted chicken or pulled pork for an additional $3.

 

Best latte

As any coffee aficionado will tell you, making a latte is an act of love. You can easily over extract an espresso shot, burn the milk, or not heat it enough - any of these mistakes will ruin the finished product. Well, the folks at Moguls seem to understand that, with one of their lovely baristas confirming that their secret ingredient is "a little bit of lovin'!" They use organic coffee - Resiprocate Beans from Vancouver, to be specific - and the prices for a small and large latte, taxes in, are $3.25 and $3.95 respectively.

 

Best wine list

The Bearfoot Bistro sweeps this category, which isn't surprising, really, if you've ever had the chance to check out their below-ground cellar. It's absolutely massive, the walls lined with over 20,000 bottles of red, white, sparkling and dessert wines and, of course, loads of bubbly. It's all organized by region, and if you're lucky, proprietor André Saint-Jacques will give you a tour of their extensive collection, which includes 20 years of Château Mouton-Rothschild and a diverse range of wines from around the world, including trophies like the 1964 Domaine De La Romanée-Conti for $20,000 or the 1914 Möet & Chandon, Brut Impérial.

 

Best beer selection

The Brewhouse and Dubh Linn Gate Old Irish Pub were neck-and-neck in this category. But ultimately, Dubh Linn Gate came out on top, serving up Whistler's only "True Pint" (a 20 oz Imperial pint), with an impressive selection of light beers and lagers, cider, medium-bodied beer and rich ale from Ireland, England, Belgium, B.C., Ontario and Nova Scotia on tap. Throw in some solid pub favourites and Celtic music to get you in the mood and you'll be tipping back pints and tapping your feet in no time.

 

Best martini

This year, The Mix By Ric's has managed to mix up the best martini, beating out the Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for the honour. They carry a variety of top-shelf gins and vodkas which contribute to their extensive list of martinis, including some unique ones created by their bartenders. Consider the Aloha, a fresh and tropical option that uses Absolut Citron, Sourpuss Apple, aloe vera and lemon juice, and the Vixen, a combination of Absolut Ruby Red, Sourpuss Raspberry, pomegranate and pink grapefruit juice. Most cocktails are $10.50.

 

Best scotch

In the infamous words of Ron Burgundy, "I love scotch, I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down. Down into my belly. Mm-mm-mm." The bartenders at the Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler apparently know just how passionate some people are about their scotch. For eight years in a row now they've been tapped as the best place to go to enjoy a glass of scotch whiskey.

 

Best server

Being a server isn't an easy gig, especially in a tourist town like Whistler - you work weird hours, struggle to get through the shoulder season, and have to deal with people who think tipping is a city in China. And not just anyone can do the job; you have to be able to problem solve, deal with the public each and every day, and never lose your cool. According to this year's Best of Whistler results, Jessamay at Earls is just the girl you want on the floor when the kitchen crew is in the weeds. Keep up the good work!

 

Best service

While being named the best server is quite the accolade, an even more amazing feat is having staff that actually works together, with the front of the house and back of house staff - cooks, chef, hosts, servers, bar backs and more - on the same page to make the dining experience flawless. Well, it appears that the Rim Rock Café has mastered the art of service, which is arguably just as important as food when eating out.

 

Best chef

It's been a busy year for Araxi and the folks behind the scenes have been working pretty hard on all of the projects they've had on the go - the Hell's Kitchen TV show, their first-ever cookbook and Olympic plans. But in the midst of it all, their executive chef, James Walt, hasn't lost his culinary vision or touch.

 

Clubs, Pubs and Bars

Après

Apr è s: (n) the act of going out, having drinks, dancing and generally socializing after skiing. Usually undertaken while still wearing one's ski gear.

At the base of Whistler Mountain, nestled against the Whistler Village Gondola and the bottom of the Exalibur Gondola, sits a bar whose name has become synonymous with the infamous activity of "après": the GLC. And whether your preferred après involves cuddling up by the fire, lined up at the bar, or battling the elements on the patio, GLC has something for every snow aficionado.

Coolest staff

So what makes the staff at the GLC so exceptionally awesome that they have once again won the hearts and votes of Pique readers?

"The thing we hold most dearest to us is that it is like a family environment in here," said manager Mike Wilson. "Everybody, from front of house to back of house, knows and cares about everybody that works here. There is no division between the kitchen and the front of house. I think staff generally love being here and that pours into the service that they deliver to the guests."

Second place went to the hard working ladies and gents at Sushi Village.

DJ

Once again, Whistler voters have humbly crowned DJ Mat the Alien the ultimate master of the turntables. Best known for his wide-ranging music selection, Mat often chooses from hip-hop, funk, dance-hall, break-beat, rock, and drum and bass numbers when spinning his mixes at clubs around the country, as well as at Whistler's Maxx Fish every Tuesday at the aptly named weekly event, Really Good Tuesdays.

"Whistler is a unique place to DJ because the crowd changes so much from week-to-week, and it attracts a wide range of people: young and old, from all over the world," said Mat after hearing he won again this year. "As a DJ, you can be diverse in music selection and not have to stick to playing one genre like in many big cities. Mix that with the local crowd who know their shit, and it makes for a good night!"

Mat's career has been flying high over the past few years, including an eight-month bi-weekly stint at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas (in between sets in Whistler), and a set at Canada House during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. And 2010 doesn't look like it'll be any tamer for Mat. In January alone, this DJ already has sets lined up in Calgary at Hi Fi, Saskatoon at Scratch, Rossland and Victoria at Hush, beyond his Whistler gigs.

Coming in second this year was DJ Tim Livingstone, whose mixes can often be heard pumping out of Tommy Africa's or Brandy's at the Keg.

Local hangout

In the summer time, when the sun is beating down heavily, its patio is overflowing with people, pints of beer, and bike equipment; and in the wintertime, when Jack Frost is biting down, its warm interior is packed with rosy-cheecked patrons guzzling Caesars. For the fifth year in a row, Citta' has been dubbed the ultimate locals' hot spot and place to see-and-be-seen.

And this beloved joint will be around for years to come. Last year, rumours around Whistler were swirling that when the Citta' lease expired in February, its landlord, Burrard International Holdings, would bring in a new tenant. In a letter to the editor this year, though, two Citta' head honchos rested all fears when they wrote: "We were happy to work with Burrard International to successfully negotiate our lease, and we thank them for supporting Citta'. We are here for a number of years to come..."

 

Bartender

Deep in Creekside, next to Nita Lake Lodge and inside Roland's Pub, you'll find Whistler's best bartender for the second year running: Big Rich Poehlmann. And this mixologist's favourite drink to make doesn't hail from the usual list of cocktails and martinis.

"I am the simple guy," said Rich, who has been a waiter and bartender since he moved to Whistler in 1996. "I give the customers what they want. I like opening up a bottle of beer, and I like pouring a draft. I am the everyday man."

After hearing he once again was voted Whistler's best bartender, Rich also wanted to make sure he let his customers know how much he appreciates them.

"I wouldn't get voted unless it was by great customers, and I would like to thank the great customers-slash-friends that voted for me," he said.

Second place goes out to Casper Richters at Brandy's at the Keg, and third place to Jeremy "Stinky" Peterson at Citta' Bistro.

Patio

The art of patio sitting is not one easily mastered. First, you must arrive at the patio early, in order to ensure you score a spot near the ledge and close to a heater. Second, you must order a drink or two before ordering your main meal, to guarantee yourself plenty of time before the waiter brings the bill. Third, you must make sure you pay close attention to the people passing by so that when someone you know walks past, you are prepared to call out their name and start up a conversation.

Finally, to truly partake in patio sitting with style, you must make sure you select the right patio. And, if the votes in this category are any indication, the patio at Citta' Bistro is the king daddy of Whistler spots. The bistro has won every year since this category was added in 2000, making us wonder if a new category should added next year: "Best spot on Citta' patio."

Second place goes to the GLC, whose patio overlooking Whistler Mountain is prime positioning for watching DH mountain bikers in the summer and skiers & boarders in the winter.

Media, arts and culture

Artist

Chili Thom, voted best Whistler artist of 2009, already has big plans penciled in for the New Year.

"I want to have a solo show at my own gallery," said the painter and artist who has ruled this category for the past, umm, six years, with his bold, bright graffiti-like acrylic paintings featuring all-things nature: trees, snow, water, clouds, mountains, and rainforests. And despite continually winning this category for the past half decade, Thom asserts his work has morphed and changed quite a bit.

"It is definitely on a steady tightening," he explained, from his brand-new gallery, The Creation Station, in Function Junction. "The lines are getting cleaner. It is less busy and more precise."

Honourable mention goes out to Vanessa Stark, who once again won second place with her colourful, dream-like paintings.

Band/Musician

It's been 10 years of Hairfarmers - and dynamic duo Grateful Greg and Guitar Doug proved once again they not letting go of their stronghold on the best band or musician category. The Apres-all-stars and cover-band-extraordinaire finished off another spectacular year with a slew of new songs to keep ski-boots tapping - including a few borrowed from Kings of Leon. And they are gearing up for a hot, hot, hot 2010, including a series of daily performances during the Winter Olympic Games.

So what keeps these men - with their 300 live shows a year and a repertoire of over 3,000 songs - going?

Simply put: it's all about the fans.

"They have a good dedication," explained Guitar Doug. "We are really, really appreciative of the gifts that they send us, via e-mail or their physical presence and the conversations in between our shows. Some fans like to take us out to dinner, or buy us a drink.

"They are preserving peace in the world by directing their energy towards listening, which is something the Hairfarmers are trying to encourage people to do. They teach us not to look over our shoulders, but to look straight down the road."

To watch the Hairfarmers in action, check out their show schedule on their website, www.thehairfarmers.com.

Display of public art

What, exactly, is an Art Walk?

In the words of the Whistler Arts Council, it is a free walking art tour through Whistler Village and this year's extravaganza showcased the work of 71 regional artists and artisans in 40 host galleries in the balmy months of July and August. The event included paintings, photographs, multi-media displays, pottery and jewelry and was augmented this year with the help of cash from Whistler's 2009 Cultural Capitals of Canada fund.

Oh, and according to Pique Newsmagazine readers, Artwalk is also the single best display of public art in the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

Event of 2009

For 10 days and 10 nights last spring, Whistlerites forgot about last winter's generally humdrum snowfall, and instead took to the streets and the mountains to revel in the resort town's biggest annual hoedown: the legendary Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

This year's festival, orchestrated by Watermark, didn't disappoint, with outstanding athletics, cutting-edge art displays, witty short films, evocative photography, and eloquent musicians.

Second place went to the Crankworx mountain bike festival and third place went to the ever-gory and ever-offside B-Grade Horror Fest.

Film of 2009

When it comes to film, a little singing and dancing goes a long way in Whistler, with both top finishers this year coming from the musical variety.

The winner was The Staff: A Ski Bum Musical , a short film directed by Jonny Fleet that received top honours and a standing ovation at last spring's 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown during the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The four minute, 55 second film pays homage to Whistler's seasonal workers living in staff accommodation who, literally, ski to work and work to ski.

"It was inspired by the film Newsies , which is a Disney film," explained Fleet. "It was about staff housing, but for paper boys in the 1800s. The whole vibe of the movie was inspired by that because the kids were poor but happy."

A close runner-up was To Hell and Back: A Musical Odyssey , directed by Brad Chornby. The film won this year's B-Grade Horrorfest and was also aired at the Whistler Film Festival. As local philosopher Feet Banks described it: "This movie is wrong is all the right places and weird in all the rest. Ever seen a grown man spring down the road with a full erection? You have now."

Photographer

December 31 has barely hit and yet Whistler's most revered photographer, Blake Jorgenson, already has a busy year lined up for 2010. Other than managing his expanded gallery and organizing events, the man who published his first photograph in Power Magazine at 21 has, 12 years later, been hired to shoot for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

"I was hired by the creative director of the Olympics," explains Jorgenson. "He walked into the gallery one day and that is how I got the job."

Jorgenson's style is eclectic, but he is best known for dramatic mountain photographs and ski, snowboard and mountain bike shots in clear, crisp colours. His work is available to all to see at his gallery in the Westin Hotel and Spa as well as online at blakejorgenson.com.

Despite his international success, though, Jorgenson's heart still rests close to home.

"I think the most important type of support is local support," said Jorgenson. "That is definitely the most important."

Quote

This year, when Whistlerites were in need of a profound quote, they turned not to phrases spun by local writers or politicians, but to MTV's Peak Season.

To say this category was overrun by memorable Peak Season one-liners is an understatement and votes came in for all kinds of quotes, including Ian Ross's "City girls are like a carton of milk", Matt James's "I miss you extra when I'm drunk" and one episode's title "It's not your girl, it's just your turn."

One passionate voter even went so far as to nominate the Peak Season mantra "That's sooo Whistler," before adding that, thanks to the Peak Season gang, his mom will never cease to worry about his life in Whistler.

Ahh, the wisdom.

Thing you'll miss most about cultural capital funding

All hail the arts! This year $820,000-worth of greenbacks were pumped into the Whistler community when the Government of Canada officially declared Whistler one of this year's Cultural Capitals of Canada. The money was difused into 12 new and existing programs, including the Children's Arts Festival, the Museum Heritage Walks, the Block Parties in Function Junction, the Writers Festival, the Film Festival, the First Night New Year's Eve Celebration, and Snow: A Whistler Musical, the script-writing project by talented typists G.D. Maxwell, Leslie Anthony, Grant Stoddard and Lisa Richardson, just to name a few.

Interestingly enough, however, it seems the hundreds of thousands of dollars went unnoticed by many residents. Responses to this question generally ranged from the panoptic "all the events," "everything," and "encouraging the arts" to the lackadaisical "nothing," and "unfortunately, I didn't notice." In fact, not one Cultural Capital program got enough head nods to warrant mention, which, of course, leads itself into another kind of question...

Top local news story

Votes came in all over the place for this category, but at the end of the day, two main news stories gripped the hearts of Whistler readers and kept inquisitive eyes fiercely on the newsprint: the Olympics and pay parking.

After years of anticipation and preparation, the Olympics will pass through town Feb. 12 to 28, focusing the world's attention on Whistler and Vancouver. Elite athletes, spectators, coaches, officials and very important people will be part of the scene. Some Whistler residents will be here too.

Pay parking, on the other hand, was the conversation topic last spring and summer when the municipality announced that the underground Telus Conference Centre parking lot would now cost money to park in. Residents rallied together, creating websites, petitions, Facebook groups and they even showed up in staggeringly large numbers at a public council meeting. Their efforts worked, sort of. For a few months, the municipality decided to postpone implementation of pay parking, but in November, it returned for good, along with a village-wide, comprehensive parking plan.

Use of cultural funding

With its massive Douglas firm columns, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, hand-carved canoes majestically displayed and traditionally weaved cedar baskets, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, poised adjacent to the Upper Village, stole the show this year.

The $30 million world-class building opened in the summer of 2008 and has since played host to guests from around the world, cultural ceremonies, political events, conferences, film screenings, yoga sessions and other get togethers. It's also served as an important icon for the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations, who have used the space to re-ignite some of their traditions like drumming, carving, weaving, and speaking in their original language.

As their saying goes, this is truly a place where "rivers, mountains, and people meet."

Whistler website

After wrestling into long underwear, packing feet into thick wool socks, and throwing on snow pants every computer-savvy skier and boarder worth their salt knows that before heading out the door to play in the mountains, a visit to whistlerblackcomb.com is in order. After all, where else can you find up-to-the-minute temperatures in the Alpine, mid-mountain and village, check out what's happening outside Whistler's Roundhouse and Blackcomb's Rendezvous on the live web cams, or find out when the next snowstorm will blow by? Just like cell phones, whistlerblackcomb.com is so convenient it's hard to imagine how skiers and boarders ever planned a day on the mountains without it.

Writer

He did it again! G.D. Maxwell, the man who has been ripping up the back pages of Pique Newsmagazine for 14 years has once again been crowned the literary king of tiny town. Known for going where no one else will go, saying what no one else will say and constantly dropping references to the finer things in life, Max has been a long-running favourite in Whistler. Second place goes to Natalie Langmann, a ski and snowboard journalist who makes her home in Whistler and has written for magazines like Snowboard , Frequency: The Snowboarder's Journal , Snowboard Canada , Mountain Life , SBC Business , and Snowboard UK.

 

Sports and Recreation

Best run on Whistler Blackcomb

The answer to this question probably hinged on what month you best remember - good early season for the alpine, a long, cold snow drought where park runs and speed runs were your best option (or mountain biking in Squamish!) and a spring where the powder was incredibly good.

There were a huge number of responses this year with Peak to Creek - the longest continuous run in the resort - garnering an incredible 108 votes. It's not hard to see why. The Peak to Creek, which opened in 2006, is seven kilometres long with a vertical drop of over 5,000 feet, and features rolling terrain that's fun for beginners as well as some side routes that offer some challenging dips and drops. On a powder day it can feel like heli-skiing.

Second on the list is an out-of-bounds area called Million Dollar Ridge that some deluded fools still imagine is a secret.

The Christmas Trees, accessible from Whistler Bowl, was third.

All told, over 21 runs received double digit votes this year, including Flute Bowl, Jersey Cream, Upper and Lower Dave Murray Downhill, Bagel Bowl, Glacier Bowl, Heavenly Basin, Bear Paw, Corona, Gun Barrels, Cockalorum, Franz's, West Cirque, Big Timber, Lakeside Bowl, West Bowl and Whistler Bowl. Almost all the runs were in the alpine or upper mountain, although a solid number of votes also went to Gandy Dancer/Ross's Gold, Gear Jammer, Catskinner and all of the gladed runs on Whistler and Blackcomb.

 

Best Outdoor Sport

The interesting thing about this informal poll is the timing. In the fall months, it's natural that local powder hounds would start to dream about snapping on their boots and skis and carving through an ocean of snow. One can only wonder what would happen if we asked the same question in April as thoughts turn to pursuits like mountain biking, beach volleyball and golf.

As it was, skiing was voted the Best Outdoor Sport this year by a comfortable margin, followed by snowboarding and mountain biking. Other sports to get multiple votes include golf, snowmobiling, hiking, hockey and cross-country skiing.

 

Best Indoor Sport

With three leagues and an exceptional minor program in town, hockey took the win once again, but not by its usual margin. Actually, just one vote out of the over 650 that were cast in this category. Yoga, which remains insanely popular, was bumped from the number two position by some variation of "climbing" - rock climbing, climbing at The Core, bouldering, Bouldering at the Core, etc. Yoga held onto third by a couple of votes, with the most contact of sports, sex, or "Love Making" as some romantics called it, placing a close forth.

 

Best Adventure Tour

One of the strange things about living in Whistler is that locals very rarely get a chance to do the same things as tourists, waiting until relatives visit or they win that prize draw to partake in some of the incredible adventure tours that the resort has to offer.

ZipTrek, which is in the process of going global, was the runaway winner in this category, although multiple votes also went to the new Wild Play attraction, followed by the various ATV and snowmobile tours available, heli-skiing, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, dog sledding and others. Ever been ice climbing? We've got it. Jet boating? Check. Horseback riding? Indubitably. Do yourself a favour and get out there this year and have an adventure.

 

Best Heli-ski Run

Last year was not the best for snow but if you had a helicopter you had options all season long - the early season snow stuck around and it stayed cold enough that there were pockets of powder to enjoy right through to March when the snow started falling again.

Maybe it's a sign of the economy, but the winner this year was some variation of "I wish," "too poor" and "never been."

For the people who could afford it, or had the gear, the unguided drop on Rainbow Mountain took the most votes, followed by Mt. Currie, Ipsoot Mountain and the Rutherford area.

 

Best Bike Trail

2009 truly was the year of the bike, with the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association breaking 1,500 members for the first time ever and another record season for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park - which celebrated its 10 th anniversary.

There was also a lot of new terrain to ride for cross-country types, including a volunteer-built connector between Bob's ReBob called Get Over It, new trail sections of Train Wreck that included some volunteer work, new options in the Emerald Forest, the new A La Mode climb on Lower Sproatt, and some incredible volunteer work on Shit Happens, Anal Intruder and others. A new section of Sea to Sky Trial was also completed this year, while progress was made on a long section of new trail in Lost Lake Park.

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park was also busy with new trails and upgrades, including new sections of Freight Train and Blue Velvet in the Garbanzo area, new connectors in the lower park, and extensive work to armor and upgrade trails with rock, new bridges and other improvements.

The reigning champion in the Best Trail category continues to be A River Runs Through It, a stunt and flow trail that recently was extended in both directions and is constantly being added to and upgraded. It's also one of the few trails in town that rides well in both directions, and is a whole different experience in reverse.

Next on the list is the incredibly popular Crank It Up (upper and lower) in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, followed by A-Line, Kill Me Thrill Me, the Lost Lake "Zappa" Trails, Comfortably Numb, Danimal and so on.

 

Favourite Municipal Park

Once again there is no contest in this category with the jewel of Whistler's west side once again winning by a landslide. Rainbow Park was the place to be during this record-breaking summer with a great beach, a great dock, a doggie beach, picnic tables, lots of grass to stretch out on, sand volleyball courts and one of the best views of Whistler and Blackcomb in the valley. It was also great to see the sailing and windsurf community make a resurgence on windy days, and for the return of sailboat races from the landing opposite the park.

It was a sad year for Lost Lake in many ways with two drownings, but it was still a great place to swim, suntan, build a sandcastle, or rest after a run or bike ride through the surrounding forests.

Meadow Park placed third on the list. There is no beach there but the kids' water park got a lot of good use over the summer and the softball fields are a great place to throw Frisbees, fly kites, exercise dogs and, yes, play ball.

 

Favourite Whistler Athlete

In a little less than six weeks (!) the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will officially get underway in Vancouver and Whistler, with thousands of the world's top athletes chasing the biggest prize in sports, an Olympic gold medal.

For Canada, it's personal. Despite hosting the Summer Games in 1976 and the Winter Games in 1988, we remain the only country in Olympic-hosting history never to have won a gold medal on home soil. To turn things around the Government of Canada, VANOC and other partners committed an additional $110 million to the Own The Podium program back in 2004, with the goal of winning more medals than any other nation in 2010. That's on top of increased funding for sports across the board through existing federal programs and the addition of more sponsors for Canada's more successful sports organizations.

So far it seems to be working. Canada wrapped up the 2008-09 winter season with more World Cup medals and points in winter sports than any other nation for the first time ever, as well as the best results of any nation in world championship events. As of two weeks ago, when both freestyle and snowboarding seasons got underway, our athletes were on pace to do the same again.

Canada also placed first in disabled or adaptive sports last season, and our teams seem to be on pace to place in the top three for gold medals in the Paralympics.

Whether Canada can turn World Cup and World Championship medals into Olympic medals is yet to be seen, but Whistler and Sea to Sky residents find themselves in a position where they can cheer on some of their own medal contenders on home turf. In alpine skiing alone we have the Janyk siblings, Britt and Mike, Robbie Dixon and former Whistler Mountain Ski Club star Manuel Osborne-Paradis. We have snowboarders like Maëlle Ricker and Rob Fagan, as well as the majority of athletes currently vying for spots on the halfpipe team. We have Ashleigh McIvor, Julia Murray, Davey Barr and Aleisha Cline in the newly added sport of ski cross.

We only have a handful of Paralympians in town, like alpine skier Matt Hallatt and cross-country skier Tyler Mosher, but we're the home mountain for several skiers based in Vancouver, like world downhill champion Josh Dueck.

On top of all those Olympic hopefuls are some of the top freeskiers, pro snowboarders and mountain bikers in the world who may not be on the Olympic track, but are household names for people who follow those sports.

Given the range of athletes in town it's not surprising that over 70 different athletes received votes in this category this year, ranging from World Cup athletes to members of our local triathlon club.

Despite a challenging season where she did not reach a World Cup podium Whistler's Britt Janyk was the winner once again. She was followed closely by ski cross world champion Ashleigh McIvor. Brandon Semenuk, who won almost every mountain bike slopestyle event in the world this past summer and placed second in the Whistler event, placed third. Other athletes getting multiple votes included Pemberton freeskier Austin Ross, Paralympic hopeful Tyler Mosher, triathlete and trainer John Blok, cross-county and downhill mountain bike racer Tyler Allison, former World Cup star turned coach Rob Boyd, local mountain bike racer Matt Ryan, freeskiing "godfather" Mike Douglas, slalom skier Mike Janyk, ski cross racer Julia Murray and halfpipe competitor Crispin Lipscomb.

 

Favourite Olympic athlete

While it may seem a little early to ask this question given no national Olympic teams, with the exception of hockey, were named before the end of December, locals threw their weight behind Britt Janyk, followed again by Ashleigh McIvor. Mike Janyk was third.

There was no "local" requirement either, which is how hockey star Jarome Iginla placed fifth on the list, behind snowboarder Crispin Lipscomb.

 

Favourite Adult Ski Pro

Big drop and steep line specialist Dan Treadway topped the vote list this year. It's hardly surprising, given that Treadway is one of the most recognized names in backcountry skiing these days (not to mention a big deal in the sledding world with spots in several recent movies). Recently he's been working with photographer Eric Berger to claim the cover shot for Power Magazine's Photo Annual.

You can follow all things Treadway online at www.dantreadway.com.

 

Favourite Adult Snowboard Pro

Although he's never won an Olympic medal or competed in a World Cup, Whistler rider Devun Walsh has been one of the biggest names in snowboarding for close to two decades. He's been featured in movies, on the cover of magazines and in video games. He has his name on everything from snowboards and boots to skate shoes. A quick excursion to YouTube.com will tell you why.

 

Favourite Kid Ski Pro

Whistler has churned out world class athletes pretty steadily since the resort opened and it's safe to assume that the next generation of athletes will be household names as well. Some already are, like Sean Pettit, who is now skiing for Red Bull, and Kye Petersen who won Red Bull's premiere park event last year. They finished first and second in the polling this year, separated by just one vote.

 

Favourite Kid Snowboard Pro

Sixteen-year old Dan Stubbs topped the list this year. He divides his time between home in Ontario and the Whistler Valley Snowboard Club. There are a few videos posted on YouTube if you want to see what the future of snowboarding might look like.

 

Favourite Coach

In 1989 Whistler's Rob Boyd kick-started a party that is entering its third decade, winning a World Cup downhill event on the Dave Murray Downhill in the most dramatic way possible. After retiring from skiing in 1997 he spent a few years kicking around the pro ski tour and even raced in a few early ski cross events before making the shift in coaching. He spent a year with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club before making the leap to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in 2005, where he is coaching the women's speed team. The impact has been noticeable and Boyd has been with the program for some of its best years on record.

Crossfit trainer Jordan Glasser placed second on the list, followed closely by Boot Camp drill sergeant Cat Smiley.

 

Health and Fitness

Favourite fitness facility

While Meadow Park is the default gym for most of Whistler it's interesting to see how other private gyms are gaining their own loyal followings. While Meadow Park was the runaway winner this year with over 250 votes, The Core placed second with 125. CrossFit Whistler placed third, edging out the newly renovated Whistler Creek Athletic Club.

Next year there will be another gym in contention at the athletes' village, although it's still undecided how much access the public will have to the high performance centre's weights and cardio.

 

Favourite Physiotherapist

In Whistler it's never a question of "if" you'll get injured, it's more a question of "when," "how" and "how badly."

It's no coincidence that Whistler also happens to be home to some of the best physiotherapists in the industry, many of whom work with national level athletes as well as young people pushing their limits, middle-aged people trying to keep up to young people, and seniors that are generally fitter than the average middle-ager.

This year Allison McLean of Peak Performance Phyiostherapy regained her title over co-worker Bianca Matheson, with Matheson finishing second. Other therapists in the top-10 were Helen Dalziel with Whistler Physiotherapy Group, Vas Moro of Advanced Sports Therapy, Jeremy Souchotte, Lisa Kudla, Nicole Hesterman, Larraine Grills, Marilyn Hellier and Kristi LaMantia.

 

Favourite Massage Therapist

As well as getting injured on a regular basis, locals are prone to levels of stiffness and soreness you won't find in many other towns. Keep your ear open the next time you're picking up lunch in the village and listen for the groans and moans as people sit down and stand up, if you're not drowning them out with your own.

Lesley Byford of Peak Performance Physiotherapy topped the list this year, followed by Heather Bell and Maribeth Callahan.

 

Best Dentist

Not that we get to sample a lot of dentists over the course of a year, but for customer loyalty Dr. James McKenzie at Whistler Dental tops our list this year, with Dr. Phil Gaudin placing a close second. Dr. Anne Crowley of Pemberton was third.

 

Best Dental Clinic

Whistlerites are a good looking group for the most part, fitter than most and always sporting colour - alternating between sun burn and snow burn, wind burn and dirt burn. We also have pretty good teeth, but not for a lack of trying to knock them out at every opportunity.

Creekside Dental topped the list this year, followed by Whistler Dental and the Aarm Dental Group.

 

Best Doctor

The old joke about doctors and their poor handwriting on prescription slips may have a grain of truth in it, but at least they can spell! Dr. Cathy Zeglinski earned the most votes for Best Doctor this year, with at least 17 different variations of her name in your responses like Dr. Zaglinski or Zglenski. "Dr. Z" also earned a few votes from patients who didn't even make the attempt.

Second on the list this year was Dr. Karin Kausky, followed closely by Dr. Kristin Johnston, who was followed closely by Dr. Ian Tamplin.

 

Best Medical Clinic

The new clinic on the block, Northlands Medical Clinic - also the first clinic to go digital - finished on top of the voting this year, followed by Whistler Medical Clinic and the Town Plaza Medical Clinic.

 

Best chiropractor

He's only been in town for a year but already he's made a big impression, particularly among those in the community who have sore and achy backs. Dr. Michael Bologna has been working magic at the Village Centre Chiropractic & Massage since taking over in early 2009 and he has been voted best chiropractor this year. "I love it," he said of Whistler. "It's a wonderful town." Interesting too seeing the kind of things he sees as he works to restore proper functions to the spines of locals and guests. In big towns it's common to see injuries due to inactivity, whereas here it's just the opposite. "People are using themselves to the max," said Dr. Bologna.

 

Best Hair Salon

It's a seven-year stretch for Good Hair Day as the reigning hair salon in Whistler. That means it has had top spot since opening its doors in Function Junction in 2003. Trendy, friendly and fab!

 

Best Hairstylist

It's no surprise that Whistler's best hairstylist works at its best hair salon. This year Emily Ng of Good Hair Day wins the honour. She brings her 11 years of experience to Whistler heads, having trained across Canada.

 

Best esthetician

Lindy Campbell wins best esthetician this year. You can find her at Farfalla Hair & Esthetics in the Crystal Lodge, where you can find all your beauty needs such as brow shaping, leg waxing and much more.

 

Best spa

How does this sound for the ultimate in luxury relaxation? A peppermint, maple and honey exfoliation or a private steam treatment in essential oils of rose, lavender and juniper or a facial with alpha-hydroxy acids and vitamin C. Well, look no farther than The Spa at the Four Seasons. It takes the top spot again for its swanky spa set amid the mountains. There's something there for everyone - warming stone massages, an après-ski massage, a rebalancing organic body treatment. Just step inside the doors and prepare to melt away in a world of high class pampering.

 

Best health trend

There's stretching, bending and flexing. And then there's the stretch, bend and flex you get from yoga. That's a tough one to beat. For those who haven't tried it, put it on your list of things to do in 2010. You won't regret it and your body will be forever grateful.

 

Shops and Wares

Best place for deals

Hands down the Re-Use-It Centre in Function Junction is Whistler's best place for deals. While it's true you may have to dig deep to find some of those hidden treasures, they are there if you keep your eyes peeled. Books, clothes, games, skis, kitchen stuff. The list goes on. To top it all off, the proceeds of all sales go towards Whistler Community Services Society. Does shopping get any better than that?

Men's wares

The decision to start carrying more urban ware is paying off for Mountain Riders. The store takes the top spot in the best men's wares category this year.

Women's clothing

There was a time, not so long ago, when Whistlerites had to travel to Vancouver to shop at Aritzia - a Canadian clothing company that started in the Hill's department store in Kerrisdale.. But now they need not travel any further than the village to shop for awesome jean labels like 7 For All Mankind and Citizens of Humanity, among other things. Aritzia is also one of the official licensees of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Ski shop

It doesn't matter how you spelled it we knew what you were saying. Fanatyk Co. Best ski shop in Whistler. To be sure, it was a tight race. Everyone has their favourites in this ski town. But with the new expansion and shop frontage on the main village stroll, things are sure to get a lot busier for this little ski/bike shop. Just remember: this may be an unusual ski season all around because of the 2010 Games, but Fanatyk Co will be open all season long. It's business as usual in 2010.

Snowboard shop

It's been a decade now since Showcase Snowboard Surf and Skate Shop was born. It wins as best snowboard shop perhaps because going into Showcase feels less like shopping and more like hanging out and reveling in all things snowboarding.

Bike shop

Again, it doesn't matter which way you spelled it, we knew what you were talking about. Fanatyk Co. Best bike shop in Whistler. A lofty title to be sure in a town where biking is as revered as skiing. This year Fanatyk Co brought a newly expanded store to the public and while it's a ski shop once again for the season, it won't be long before you can take in your bike for some TLC, or treat yourself to some new gear.

Store for browsing/exploring

Guess the guys in Whistler love to shop. The winner of the best men's ware store, Mountain Riders, also takes the top spot as the best place for browsing/exploring.

Grocery store

It's "where the locals shop!" And that likely explains why Nesters outruns its competition in this category by a long shot. Maybe it's the chance of the free bag giveaway every week that keeps people shopping there. Maybe it's the friendly faces and helpful service. Perhaps it's the fact that Nesters is a huge supporter in the community, giving generously to such things as Tapley's Halloween celebrations and taking part in the annual Canada Day Parade. Whatever your reason, Pique readers have chosen Nesters as the best grocery store in Whistler for 2009.

Video store

No surprise here. Rogers wins. It is, after all, the only game in town.

Photo finishing

True, this Best of Whistler category might be becoming a little outdated in this day and age of digital cameras and affordable high res printers. But as the times have changed, so too has Whistler's 1 Hour Foto Source in the Crystal Lodge. In Whistler since December 1984, 1 Hour Foto Source is not just a place to get your photos finished but to buy digital cameras or accessories.

Financial institution

It was a very close run this year between two of the four banks in town. But the RBC Royal Bank came through at the last minute, slightly edging out its closest competition, TD Bank. Maybe it's all the high profile attention RBC is getting as a partner in the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay that tipped it over the edge, or maybe it's just the friendly service at the bank.

Realtor

She's lived here for more than 15 years and knows this town. But Lynne Venner, of the Whistler Real Estate Company, isn't just Whistler's best realtor this year. She's a mother of four ski racing children, and the wife of a former Canadian Alpine Ski Team Coach. Together with realtor Tracey Cruz, Venner is one part of "Whistler's Dynamic Duo."

Lawyer

To read about him in his bio from Race and Company, Sholto Shaw is a London, Ontario native who got a degree from the University of Toronto in environmental science and then a law degree from UBC. He moved to Whistler in 2004 and now mainly practices in the areas of real estate and corporate/commercial law. But to meet him in person it's easy to see why he is once again voted Whistler's best lawyer - knowledgeable, approachable, down to earth. Simply put: a nice guy.

 

Mortgage specialist

Chantel Jackson was top choice when it comes to the go-to person for mortgage advice. She is a mortgage specialist with HLC Home Loans Canada, a division of CIBC Mortgages Inc.