Best Place for Deals
In the number one spot, just like 2011, is the Re-Use-It Centre . It is a money-saving jewel on Alpha Lake Road in Function Junction where pre-loved items go to find new homes, and sales proceeds are used to fund 75 per cent of programs and services offered by the Whistler Community Services Society. Whether you need skis and boots and other sporting items, household goods, books, clothing or interesting little finds for gifts, shoppers are supporting social programming and environmental sustainability. Earlier this year, it was even selling donated artwork, including a lithograph by late actor Anthony Quinn.
Comor Sports came second for deals, and Whistler's Gap rounded off the top dealmakers in third place.
Best Bike Shop
For those of us into biking of all sorts, going into Fanatyk Co. is like hanging out with family and friends, family and friends that can work through any gear bugs and get the wheels spinning again, literally. Voters knew this last year, and they voted them number one in 2012, too. Fanatyk Co has sales, service, and rentals.
Other honouree stores in a town full of bike lovers are The Bike Co. in second place and Summit Sports in third.
Best Ski Shop
Summit Sport is Whistler's largest sports shop with 7,500 square feet and this year they've scaled the summit of popularity this year by being voted in as Whistler's best ski shop. That's some feat in a town built around the slopes. The company offers full rentals, sales and services for ski needs and has three locations around Whistler.
The winner in 2011, FanatykCo., came a close second, while Comor Sports was third in this category.
Best Snowboard Shop
Showcase Snowboard, Surf & Skate Shop takes the best snowboard shop prize in 2012, just as it did last year. Snowboard culture is front row centre here, says Sarah Temporale, who describes herself as a "lead hand" at the store. "We try to set ourselves apart with exceptional customer service," she says. This includes a two-week training session at the start of the season to look into new products. "We get the downlow on them. We also try to make sure our staff are good personable people who are not too cool for school."
Evolution and Prior also won plaudits for their snowboard products and services, coming second and third, respectively.
Best Shop for Women
Clothing and accessories store Aritzia gets the top prize for women's clothing sales in Whistler. Store manager Ashley Ormerod said being a Vancouver-based company really helps them in the resort. "It's a definite plus for us because it means we are well-known in B.C. for our local clientele, but it also means that international customers can get an introduction into Canadian retail."
Customer service is key, Ormerod added. "We try to make sure people get what they came in for and we try to exceed expectations."
Second in the category is yogawear megastar Lululemon Athletica, followed by The Beach in third.
Best Shop for Men
Now in its 22nd year, Escape Route is to Whistler what trees are to the side of a mountain, ubiquitous for the resort, both in and out of bounds. The company sells and rents everything needed to get out and about, whether it's clothing, footwear and accessories or gear. They sell products for camping and hiking, climbing, ski touring and more.
Second this year was Evolution, while Showcase Snowboard Surf & Skate Shop, which was last year's winner, placed third and remains a popular choice.
Best Jewelry Company
After 11 years, Ruby Tuesday is Whistler's favourite place to buy the earrings, necklaces, rings and other lovely baubles and gems that make so many people so happy. Owner Adrienne Deeks said their secret is the people who work there. "It's our staff. We've been extremely lucky with our kind, thoughtful staff. They are people who work extremely hard. We also have a lot of strong local support."
Keir Fine Jewelry, which specialized in Canadian diamonds and rare ammolite fossil jewelry, came second. Pandora, part of the popular chain that sells unique charms and other pieces, came third.
Best Skateboard Shop
It's not exactly skateboard weather with all that snow out there, but hang onto this for the spring because Evolution Whistler took this year's prize as Best Skateboard Shop. They, of course, sell for the winter season, too. They were followed by The Circle in second place and The Sk8 Cave in third place. Congratulations!
Best Customer Service
Yoga clothing company Lululemon Athletica takes the highly coveted prize for Best Customer Service. So well known for its products, it seems we all like their care and service as well.
Fanatyk Co. comes second in this category, while the folks at David's Tea came third. The skiing and snowboarding gurus at Summit Sport came fourth.
Best Cell Phone Retailer
Rogers is the best place in town for people wanting to get their iPhones and Androids revved up; they were followed by Telus in second place and Bell in third. Congrats!
Best Store for Browsing
Armchair Books occupies a cozy place in Village Square, which has become a central location in the resort to explore, whether with the intention to buy or to just get ideas for a good read. Owner Dan Ellis said he was honoured to be the best shop in which to browse. "Overwhelmingly, over the years people have the sentiment about spending time here that keeps them coming back for repeat visits, that we're cozy and comfortable. People like the safety of a book store," he says.
Katmandu, that wonderful mixture of everything came second in the poll and outdoor and wilderness goods and clothing store Escape Route came third.
Store You Would Most Like to See in Whistler
The people have spoken! What Whistler needs is... drumroll... a shoe store. We want stylish offerings of those durable foot-protecting implements, for fun, for getting around with and for showing ourselves off with during a Saturday night clubbing session. Sassy, sexy heels for the women, something a little cool or classy for the guys. OK, entrepreneurs out there, make it so!
We also want a Tim Horton's, somewhere to wear our new shoes to. And, of course, we want something to wear while we buy our donuts, so H&M/Forever 21/Cheap fashion clothes tied for third for stores we'd like to see at the resort.
Best Adventure Tour
Ziptrek Eco Tours once more zipped to the top of this category. "We're absolutely thrilled that we retained our 'Best Adventure' title this year!" said Ziptrek's Warwick Hubbard. "There are so many high-quality offerings in Whistler that we don't take this honour lightly, and we thank all the Pique readers, local and afar, who voted for us." He adds that local endorsements are viewed highly by resort visitors, and the company greatly values the tremendous local support they receive.
Other activity companies that did well include Canadian Snowmobile Adventures, The Adventure Group and Wedge Rafting.
Best Financial Institution
TD Bank in Marketplace wins the top prize for Best Financial Institution for the second year in a row. They offer full service bank including loans, mortgages, credit cards, lines of credit, investment and savings products. And they're open Sundays.
RBC Royal Bank came second this year, while North Shore Credit Union was third and Scotiabank came fourth.
Best Grocery Store
Nesters Whistler is a busy place and a popular one, even though it's not in the centre of the village. It once again took home the cake (and sold plenty of it!) as the resort's favourite place to buy groceries. Assistant Store Manager Ian Fairweather is delighted. "Safe to say we're pretty proud of the service and support we get and give in the community," he said. "We are happy to be acknowledged as the favourite and as the place where locals shop."
Coming second this year is Marketplace IGA, while Creekside Market came third.
Best Lawyer
Sholto Shaw's practice at Race and Company takes top honours again this year, as he has for the last five. Shaw specializes in real estate and corporate commercial law, opening his office in Whistler in 2004. Peter Shrimpton of the Mountain Law Corporation came second and Greg Diamond of Double Diamond Law Corporation came third.
Best Mortgage Specialist
Getting the mortgage to allow Whistlerites to live the dream is something residents and non-resident property owners take very seriously. Karen Garrett at Sea to Sky Mortgages takes the prize for 2012 in her category. Jonathan Decaigny, the specialist at RBC, came second and Jason McLean at Garibaldi Mortgages was third.
Best Realtor
Competition is great among Whistler's terrific property salespeople. So congratulations to Amber A. Mann at Whistler Real Estate Company for being selected at the Best Realtor. Dana Friesen Smith RE/MAX Sea to Sky came second, Maggi Thornhill at Thornhill Real Estate Group was third, and David J. Burch at Whistler Real Estate Company came fourth.
