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Best of Whistler 2004

The people have spoken, and voted

Best of Whistler 2004

The people have spoken, and voted

Democracy is a simple but fragile concept, as voters in Washington state know all too well. The simple part is the one with the most votes wins. The fragile part can be counting the votes.

This fall, Whistler residents and interested parties had an opportunity once again to cast their ballot for the Best of Whistler. The stakes were bragging rights and the coveted sticker on the window that winners receive.

In an effort to protect the fragile part of the democratic process we did away with paper ballots this year and went strictly with electronic, on-line voting. With on-line voting any attempts to follow the old political chestnut of "vote early and vote often" could, in theory, be traced back to computers where the "send" button had been pounded too frequently.

But Whistlerites are a competitive lot, and as simple as democracy sounds in theory it sometimes requires some interpretation as well. With that in mind, we bring you the 2004 edition of the Best of Whistler, as determined by you the voters.

Quintessential Whistler

Last $10

Spend 10 minutes watching who and what passes through Village Square and it becomes plainly obvious that Whistlerites are genuine animal lovers. Some believe this phenomena is a result of the fact that it can be difficult to find a solid human partner in Whistler and a pet is always a good substitute. Others believe that adventurous people usually like to have adventurous pets and Whistler is full of these kinds of people. It might also be that Whistler is full of people who have escaped big cities where it is often illegal to have pets. Then again, it might just be a coincidence… either way, Whistler voted Whistler Animals Galore, Whistler’s celebrated animal shelter, as the best place to spend your last $10.

The essential – beer – was second and the not-so-essential – food – was third.

Extreme thing to do

Whistler Bungee has hosted some high profile parties lately and they must have asked some of their guests to e-mail us because Bungee has established a healthy lead over Zip Trek as the most extreme thing to do in Whistler. In fact, Bungee collected close to 50 per cent of the vote.

Some of the big mountain skiers and snowboarders might have something to say about Bungee winning the extreme category. But not everybody has the skill to ski or board down a 60-degree slope. Everybody can fall however, which is about the only skill you need to be a good bungee jumper.

Third in the extreme category this year was heli-sking. Early season icy conditions perhaps hindering the heli people.

Best use of money

Wouldn’t it be interesting to fund an anonymous survey to see how many seasonal workers sign with Whistler-Blackcomb just so they can get a season’s pass, which includes free lessons? There can be no doubt, the season’s pass is a huge factor in attracting the best kind of talent and this category proves it. Whistler has voted the ski pass as the best use of money, closely followed by a commodity that, according to research conducted as part of the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan, we spend 17 per cent of our incomes on: food. Beer came in a close third and unfortunately there are no official Whistler figures on how much of the brown liquid we consume.

Worst use of money

Hey, hey, hey, is there a trend appearing here? Whistlerites appear to have beer on their mind as the "goon juice" has appeared in three "Quintessential Whistler" categories. But in this category beer wins! Again. Perhaps the only beer question we haven’t answered at this stage is what kind of beer is Whistler’s favourite? Regardless of what brand we prefer, beer has been voted, in an extremely tight race, the worst use of money in Whistler.

Parking was second, which can be a problem if you want to do some quick banking or buy a pie and you forget to buy a ticket. Considering the housing situation this winter, rent came in a highly predictable third.

Worst Whistler trend

If there could be one thing in Whistler that has polarized people in the past year it would be the Segway. Despite the fact that the Segway – or the two-wheeled battery-powered human transporter – has been voted in this survey as Whistler’s worst trend, the experiment is far from over. Caterina Alberti introduced Whistler to Segways and recently conceded that the business did not make a profit last summer but she believes the business has a future. Council is due to make a decision on Segways in the New Year.

Perhaps the bright side for the Segway naysayers is that if they are allowed here then it will give most of you something to smile at as you cruise past on your shining mountain bikes.

Ugg boots, which are being imported from Australia at a tremendous rate, and baggy pants tied for second in our worst trend category. "Fur lined anything" was a clear third, which could prove to be a controversial nomination in light of what many middle-aged tourists like to wear on vacation.

Party of the Year

Some parties become so huge they practically overshadow the event to which they are tied. Such is the case with Cornucopia’s Masquerave. When you mention "Cornucopia" in Whistler chances are people’s first thought is of the notorious wine rave at the Bearfoot Bistro that accompanies Tourism Whistler’s annual Festival of Food and Wine. Beginning with a sumptuous dinner and live jazz entertainment, the night turns to bodacious naked body painted babes offering unlimited samplings of various potent potables, luxe decor, erotic ice sculpture, pounding house music, and general debauchery. Getting in is harder than it was at the heyday of Studio 54. Ah exclusivity. Sign of a truly impressive fête.

In second place is this year’s Halloween party at the GLC. The wild and whimsical minds of Shits ’n’ Giggles Productions transformed the local bar into Sleepy Hollow – a frightening overgrown wood populated with devil brides and wolfman DJs. It was over too soon. It should have lasted three days, but we’d have taken two more hours.

In third place, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Too many parties during that week to mention so let’s just count ’em all and call it at that.

New business

In one of the most popular categories, the "sister’s are doing it for themselves". Yes, two Australian-Canadian sisters have scrapped in for a big win with their café in Function, Cracked Pepper. After more than a decade of catering for other people, sisters, Jennifer Dewar and Helen Campbell, decided to start a catering service. The first step was to find some real estate with a good kitchen and now, nine months later, their catering business has morphed into a very popular café that sells wholesome food. "It’s been a blur to be honest," Dewar said of the whole experience.

In second by a tiny margin was Apres, and in third, by just one point, was Creekside’s new flagship of food, the Southside Diner. The Southside’s location has been redeveloped several times in the last few years but by all reports this diner could be onto something permanent.

Gift or present that best says "Whistler"

Legend has it that the Best of Whistler awards mean more to some people than they do to others, and in what appears to be a highly motivated vote, Good Hair Day has run away, again, with the best gift or present category. Perhaps those of us who ski, board, bike, kayak, climb and hike, and would kill for an equipment sponsor, need to be caring more about how we look. This would explain why a Good Hair Day gift certificate has been voted the best gift idea. The celebrated hair studio has also, indirectly, recorded another win for Function Junction, which seems to be growing in popularity as a "Quintessential" subdivision.

A ski pass and the Whistler Hemp Co. came in second and third respectively. The Whistler Hemp Co. was formerly Fiber Options, a popular outlet for natural clothing. Whistler Hemp Co. now carries a wide selection of hemp and organic cotton clothing, recycled pop-bottle fleece, and Merino wool products, as well as tree-free paper and art cards.

Least like Whistler

An interesting category, because it begs for an explanation of what one thinks Whistler is. Anyway, there was a three-way tie for Least Like Whistler.

We’ve heard about it at council, it has been the subject of a survey outside several supermarkets in Whistler and many of us would like to know more. Whatever the end result might be, Whistlerites have heard that London Drugs might be coming to town and many don’t like the idea. This B.C. company has been trying to get into Whistler for many years but the opportunity to set up operations has not presented itself.

London Drugs announced they would be situated where the Eddie Bauer and Guess stores are, next to another one of Whistler’s most "least like" businesses, Starbucks. (Starbucks also happened to win Best Latte; go figure.)

Together with London Drugs and Starbucks is another flourishing business that readers say is "least like" Whistler: McDonald’s.

Also high on the "least like" list was the Gap, which was Whistler’s favourite place to buy men’s and women’s clothes.

Mountain view

Black Tusk topped this always confusing category. (Is it the view or the place to view from?) In second place was Rainbow Park, followed by Crystal Hut.

People watching

Winter or summer, the centre of the Whistler universe has been Village Square since the village first opened in 1980. And for just as long the primary perch in Village Square has been Citta’s patio, so it’s no surprise that Citta’s has been named best place for people watching, once again.

Village Square itself, which finished as third best place for people watching, is a classic example of sound design principles and social engineering, massing a liquor store, The Grocery Store, a pharmacy and other essential services in one area. Citta’s elevated patio overlooks the whole scene, fur coats, street entertainers, dogs, and people just trying to figure out where to go.

Runner up this year is the Longhorn, the bar at the base of Whistler Mountain that is the first refuge of many skiers and boarders at the end of the day.

Favourite Whistlerite

This category has seen some radical shifts over the years. The late John "Rabbit" Hare was Whistler’s favourite Whistlerite a few times. Last year the award went to Ben Richardson, the friendly guy directing highway traffic in construction zones who has a smile and a wave for everyone.

This year the top spot went to another long-time Whistler resident who has given tons of time and energy to bettering the community. Rick Clare is perhaps best known as the owner of Whistler One Hour Photo but that is just one of the businesses he has been involved in over the years. And his business dealings have included helping others get their businesses started.

He also serves as chair of the board of Tourism Whistler, a task which consumes plenty of time (it includes sitting on a number of committees, including the Commercial Core Committee), garners little sympathy and draws too much abuse. As well, he is a past chair of the Chamber of Commerce and has been on that board for many years. He’s also volunteered with the Weasel Workers and various other organizations and events.

Despite his commitments Rick still has time for everyone. His support of friends, staff and family is unwavering. And he’s an upbeat, fun guy to be around. Little wonder he’s the town’s favourite Whistlerite.

Tied for second in this category were Dane Milligan and the ubiquitous Feet Banks. Guitar Doug was fourth.

Make out spot

If the windows on your gondola cabin are fogged up it may not be because of atmospheric conditions. For the umpteenth time in a row the gondolas – and there are three – were chosen as Whistler’s favourite make out spot. Exactly what goes on in the gondolas, and how the different seat configurations in the Creekside, Excalibur and Village gondolas is best utilized, we leave to your imagination.

Tied for second spot were Lost Lake and "anywhere".

Late excuse

The 20 centimetre rule has been a popular excuse as long as Canada has been on the metric system (prior to 1976 it was known as the 6-inch rule, which shows how inflation even affects excuses). And again this year snow was one of the most popular excuses for being late, but in a sign of the times there was a tie for first place. Construction – presumably construction on Highway 99 – tied with snow for best excuse for being late. And with highway construction slated for the next several years, primarily during the spring, summer and fall, there are now legitimate year-round excuses for being late.

Third on the list of excuses was "the bus".

Neighbourhood

Alpine Meadows moved up from second place last year to claim top spot in 2004, unseating Creekside as Whistler’s best neighbourhood. The Meadow Park Recreation Centre, Gone Bakery and Alpine Meadows Market all make Alpine a popular area to live and recreate. The great views of the mountains don’t hurt either.

Creekside dropped to second place this year, while Emerald Estates was third. The older neighbourhoods seem to have it over the new ones.

Lie to tell tourists

Lots of smart-ass answers to this question, such as "Vancouver is north on 99", "Dual Mountain is in Pemberton" and "it’s a different time zone at the top of the mountains". Topping the list was "we love you", which we do.

Blizzard hangout

Some different answers in this category, suggesting different philosophies for surviving blizzards. The GLC, with its fireplace, beer taps and proximity to the Village Gondola was the third most popular choice.

The Crystal Hut on Blackcomb, with fewer amenities than the GLC but at the top of a lift rather than the bottom, was the second most popular spot.

But the number one spot for hanging out in a blizzard was home. Are we really getting that old?

Food and Drink

Best restaurant overall

Drum roll please….yes, once again this great honour goes to the Rimrock restaurant. That’s the umpteenth year in a row and well deserved it is. Not even an early season flood could hold them back from feeding the on-going love-affair this resort has with seafood and few places do it better than the Rimrock. Its mouthwatering concoctions could tempt even the hardened carnivore. This year there is a bit of a shake up when it comes to second and third place. Sliding into second is the still-new Sachi Sushi, which won first place last year as the best new restaurant in town. 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. Third place this year goes to one of Whistler’s favourite eateries Sushi Village. You can always count on the freshness and quality of the food and its friendly staff.

When someone else pays

Well, where else would you go to spend someone else’s money but one of the best restaurants in town – the Rimrock. Don’t forget to add one of their excellent martinis to the bill and of course the Oysters Rimrock.

If you can’t get into the Rimrock then the second best place to use up your friend’s loonies is Araxi which has been voted number one for Whistler dining by both readers and critics of Vancouver magazine for six consecutive years. If you can’t get in there the third choice is Bearfoot Bistro. It

procures the very finest wild and cultivated products, focusing on what is fresh each season. Most everything is prepared ‘À la minute’, without too much fuss, allowing the unique flavours of each food to find their own place on your palate.

Value

The Wild Wood Pacific Bistro takes this category for the second year in a row. Opened by locals for locals it has won the hearts of many with its tasty cuisine and fair prices. Also open for dinner, the restaurant’s seafood specials are well worth tasting. Its sister eatery, Wild Wood Café in Function Junction, is worth checking out too.

This year two newcomers to the category have risen to the top of the value equation: In second place is Samurai Sushi (Nesters) and third is Kypriaki Norte (above Buffalo Bills).

Samurai’s half self-serve, quick service makes it a popular spot for lunch and grabbing a bite. The portions are generous, the fare tasty and fresh, and the tab small. If you haven’t eaten there go check it out.

Kypriakis has long been a Whistler staple on the restaurant circuit. It boasts an extensive menu, which can cater to just about all tastes, from seafood, to pasta, to authentic Greek fare, all at a reasonable price.

New

Top spot goes to Function’s favourite new lunch spot Cracked Pepper Catering. With in-house baked goods and quality soups, stews, sandwiches and wraps it has earned its reputation as the best new eatery around. Opened by sisters Helen Campbell and Jennifer Dewar last April, it is sometimes impossible to get a seat for lunch. But don’t miss out. Get take-out rather than missing the fare altogether. Or, in the summer, enjoy your lunch on the cozy deck.

Runner up in this category is Apres, an upscale intimate modern dining room, with fresh local British Columbian cuisine and organic produce. It also features some of North America's finest West Coast wines.

The new Southside Diner takes third spot in this category, offering a great place to get a hearty breakfast on your way up the mountain at Creekside. But don’t stop with brekkie try their ‘Fat Bastard’ sandwich at lunch (a shaved beef showstopper concoction) and their man-size dinners.

Wine list

Tops in this category goes to the Bear Foot Bistro again, which Wine Access magazine writer and Pique columnist, Anthony Gismondi called the "the most memorable restaurant experience in Canada."

The Bearfoot Bistro is very much about wine. The wine cellar, located directly below the dining room floor and accessible to all guests by spiral staircase, is home to the bulk of the 16,000 bottle, 1,400 label collection. Highlights of the cellar include: a full vertical of Chateau Mouton Rothschild from 1945 to 1996; a strong showing from all other Bordeaux first growths; probably Canada’s best Champagne collection (watch out for that saber) including Dom Perignon as far back as 1966. On any given winter day as many as 35 different wines are offered by the glass. But don’t be put off, as founder Andre St. Jacques also offers a fine selection of unique wines priced moderately.

Second in this category is Araxi, with third place going to the Rimrock.

Atmosphere

All new winners to this category this year, with Trattoria di Umberto taking first place. There is no doubt that this alfresco, tiled dining room decorated with warm Tuscany colours and interesting art offers elegance without ostentation. And the staff has that rare serving savvy so they can see when cozy couples only have time for themselves or families need all the help they can get. It also serves the best Linguine Vongole in town.

Runner up this year is the Rimrock. A favourite for locals, this upper floor restaurant warmed with hardwood, a roaring stone fire place and a decor of mountain colours can soothe even the most exhausted diner. With the room broken into small sections it also offers an intimacy hard to find in the busy resort.

Tied for second spot this year is Apres – showing that readers’ choices this year were influenced by more up-market tastes. Walking into Apres, with its clean lines and modern décor, a diner could easily believe they were in New York.

Pizza

Avalanche has swept its opponents out of the way this year to return to top spot after missing out in 2003. Part of the win has to be thanks to their organic dough and signature sauce, which leaves a tangy, "I need more of that flavour" with every mouthful.

Second this year goes to Dominos, which moved up from third last year. Kids of all ages love their cheese pizza – the best in town thanks to its extra gooey nature.

Busterinos, last year’s winner, falls to third this year. It’s still a local favourite thanks to its tasty crusts and toppings.

Scotch

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Mallard Bar takes top spot for this category. Every good glass of scotch has a story to go with it and that is why where you enjoy it is so important. So for the third year imbibers of the national drink of the kilt wearer have chosen the Mallard 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

The Mallard Bar also takes top spot in this category again this year. Tucked carefully at the back of the Mallard Bar 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 this year went to the Bearfoot Bistro, which has an airtight cigar room conveniently located in the Champagne Bar. How handy to be able to enjoy a fine Cuban within waving distance of one of the best stocked bars in town.

Third place went to Castro’s Cuban Cigar Store on Sundial Place.

Steaks

Hy’s Steakhouse wins again this year and its no wonder. Even people walking past on the street can’t help but turn their noses in the direction of the succulent smells emanating from this kitchen. The steak melts in your mouth, sending your taste buds into frenzy. Hy’s created today’s idea of a great Canadian steak meal where the beef isn’t thin and gray but thick and succulent. According to carnivores that know, Hy’s is the place to sit down and satisfy those beefy cravings with their signature New York Strip with Hy’s steak sauce.

Runner up this year again is the Keg, Hy’s sister company, 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 in.

This year third spot goes to Earls Restaurant, which is tempting some taste buds with its Peppercorn Californian New York steak.

Burger

Splitz Grill: Year after year burger lovers choose Whistler’s only beef-on-a-bun joint as the place to enjoy this American invention. With over 20 toppings to choose from, a host of sauces, great fries and real thick milkshakes this eatery is a little bit of heaven.

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. The average American consumes nearly 30 pounds of hamburger a year – three burgers per person per week, totaling 38 billion annually, which, placed end to end, would form a heavenly chain of hamburgers 1.8 million miles long.

Second place this year goes to Buffalo Bill’s and third to Ingrid’s.

Takeout

Samurai Sushi takes first place again this year and it’s little wonder as it continues to serve up great specials for lunch and dinner, which pack up in a snap and taste great at home. While the wait is usually short there is always hot green tea on hand to warm the soul and keep ailments at bay and the staff is courteous and efficient.

Second place this year goers to Splitz Grill, which does a great job of keeping their mile-high burgers in one piece until you can wrap your mouths around them at home or elsewhere.

This year third place goes to Sachi Sushi, and it’s little wonder really. Hungry diners don’t want to miss out on their mouth-watering fare so if you can’t get a seat at the always-busy eatery then take it home. Special mention has to be given to the chefs who sometimes take a moment to create a child-friendly sushi snack which makes this restaurant a favourite for families.

Breakfast

The Wild Wood restaurants have kept the top spot again in this category. Both the 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 omelets and eggs benedicts to choose from. Heck, try them all.

Second this year is the new Southside Diner in Creekside. It’s got all the regular offerings on the menu and a few unique ones like the Beltch Sandwich, a bacon egg and yada, yada, yada concoction. Never have been able to find yada, yada at the grocery store. They also have a full-meal deal, the "Soon to be Sledneck" where customers can sit and enjoy breakfast then get a bagged lunch to go.

This year’s third place for breakfast goes to Chef Bernard’s in the upper village. Using the freshest local ingredients well-known local chef Bernard Casavant always manages to whip up something just a little unique along with the old stand-bys.

Latte

Coffee giant Starbucks takes first place this year for the first time. With two locations in the village, one in Creekside and more planned they have the corner on the market.

The best locally produced latte goes to second place finisher Behind the Grind and owner Chris Quinlan. No doubt the spot locals go for the finest cup of java.

Third place this year goes to Hot Box, which always has a tasty array of nibbles to go with your latte and of course a place to catch-up on the Internet news of the day.

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. Not only do they carry a host of Irish and English beers and ales they also offer some unique brews from the continent. If you still want to sip North American 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.

In second place this year is Black’s Pub and Restaurant which offers one of the widest selections of beers available in the village. An added bonus is its location. It is just steps from the bottom of Whistler Mountain in the village and has fantastic views of the slopes. It’s outdoor patio, a great place to enjoy your brew, also won an architechectural award this year.

Dropping from second spot to third this year is The BrewHouse, across Village Park from Millennium Place. Its in-house brewery produces four different handcrafted ales and two lagers as well as specialty seasonal beers. 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 BrewHouse pub sports seven 27-inch televisions, a big screen, two pool tables and a cozy two-sided fireplace.

Nachos

"Nacho, nacho man…..I want to be a nacho man…" Yes you must sing this to enjoy the best Nachos in town at Merlin’s, the first winner in this new Pique category. Merlin’s, at the base of Blackcomb, serves an uncontrollably big plate of the crispy treats for a reasonable price. On this fiesta food the cheese is sharp, the avocado guacamole fresh and the salsa just hot enough to make ordering another bevy a must.

Rumors vary as to exactly who invented them, but everyone agrees that nachos were born in one of the Rio Grande border towns, during World War II. At that time soft corn tortillas were quartered, deep-fried in sizzling oil until crispy, and drained (but not salted). Then every chip was spread by hand with a spoonful of refried beans, draped with a layer of cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack), and finally, topped with a juicy round of sliced jalapeño. These chips were individually arranged in a single layer on a baking sheet. It wasn’t until 1966, when the Texas State Fair (a spectacular event at that time) began dishing them up to its thousands of visitors who came from farms, towns and cities all across the Lone Star State that we saw the start of the Nachos we know and love today.

Second place this year went to the Longhorn, always generous with its salsa, and Cittas took third.

Service

No surprise that the Rimrock also wins this category. Committed to the idea that if you take care of the customer they will take care of you, the staff at the Rimrock make sure that all diners are not only well-fed but well-served.

Second place this year goes to Sushi Village, which came third last year. Service is always speedy and friendly. And the staff and chefs are always ready to help with meal suggestions. Special mention has to go to the many servers who understand that starving kids need edamame, tofu and rice as soon as they hit the table.

In third place this year is the Trattoria di Umberto. With Walter Wallgram at the front door its no wonder the restaurant is noted for its service. Always considerate and attentive, the Tratt staff makes every occasion a treat.

Chef

Local favourite Chef Bernard Casavant, famous for his philosophy of using fresh, local ingredients, takes first place this year in the chefs’ category. When possible, dishes come from the fields to the plate in the same day and this has created a loyal and dedicated following, especially for breakfast.

La Rúa’s executive chef R.D. Stewart takes second this year in this category. Since he took over the kitchen in 2001 Stewart has steadily focused on using the highest quality ingredients available to consistently create some of the best seafood, steak and game entrées available in Whistler at a reasonable price. One of his personal favourites is the elk, which is marinated with juniper, papaya, rosemary and black pepper, then quickly seared and roasted, and served rare with cranberry relish.

Third place this year goes to Jeremie Trottier executive chef at Quattro. A purist with his cuisine, Trottier focuses on allowing the ingredients to shape the flavours of his dishes. Long time favourites are the spicy Spaghetti Quattro and the Radicchio Bocconcini. Currently Trottier’s favourite is the Chef’s antipasto plat, a selection of four fresh dishes which change according to what is fresh and his whims.

Waiter

For the second year in a row Feet Banks takes the first place pole position as best waiter. These days you will find him tripping the light fantastic between the tables at the new 21-Steps restaurant at the village.

In this town Guitar Doug is known as the Daddy-O of the Patio. But watching master waiter Kevin "Feds" Fedory, sling beers on a crowded summer day at Cittas definitely makes him second in line for the title.

Damian Cromwell, winning waiter by night and pro-skier by day, takes third place in this category this year. This just goes to prove that if you can move on the mountain you can move everywhere else as well. That’s something many of the local unattached women would like to know more about!

Sushi

Sachi Sushi is fresh, creative and just a little bit different and Whistler is eating it all up, landing this popular spot in first place for sushi. This 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 since 1985, takes second this year. But it is more than just a place to eat. It has become over the years a social icon, a place where you are guaranteed to find great food, great service and a friendly face you know.

Third spot goes to Sushi Ya. Always busy, this casual and affordable restaurant utilizes the finest fish from the West Coast and Asia to make traditional favorites (e.g.tuna/eel/salmon nigiri), and unique rolls such as the beautiful and scrumptious "Northern Light" roll. It combines scallops, and green bean tempura in rice, then wraps it with avocado and sliced salmon.

Martini

The Mallard Bar in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler takes first place this year for the best martinis. Not too cold, not too wet, they are just right and it helps that you can relax in oversized chairs and cast your eye over a splendid view of the slopes at the same time.

Second place this year goes to Araxi in the village, which has turned its lounge area into a popular spot for a drink on the town. Decked with comfortable leather stools and tall tables, the lively atmosphere and sleek, contemporary feel make it the perfect spot to people watch and take in the scene. So linger over live juice martinis and even enjoy a bite from their dining menu.

Third place goes to Earls which offers a no-holds-barred type of salute to the martini. They are generous and fresh tasting and always cool.

Seafood

By a landslide, indeed an avalanche of voters, the Rimrock takes this category again this year. Imagine Ahi marinated in soy, sake and mirin then grilled with a wasabi beurre blanc melting on your tongue. 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 just hours from the coast.

Sushi Village takes second this year for seafood which is somewhat fitting, you have to admit. It imports fish from around the globe – famous B.C. salmon and local tuna from Canada’s West Coast, octopus from Japan and sometimes South Africa or India, hirame from the East Coast of Canada, and fresh snapper and prawns from Vancouver. It is brought up to Whistler twice a week to ensure inventories are fresh, and more often when demand dictates (or something extra special has been caught). The sushi chefs make regular visits to Vancouver to inspect the imported fish.

Third spot goes to Araxi, which now sports an Oyster Bar with up to 13 different varieties of the slippery libido enhancers. The weathervane scallops with house made bacon are also fabulous, as is the roasted garlic crusted sturgeon.

Clubs, pubs and bars

Best DJ

The moniker was a joke at first. With his thick Manchester, U.K. accent Mat Andrew sounded like he was from outer space and was kidded about being an illegal alien. But a decade later Mat is still the Alien and his otherworldly DJ skills are no joke. Whether throwing down hip-hop, funk, drum ’n’ bass, jazz, rock, breakbeats or dancehall tracks, the Alien is both mixmaster and scratchmaster, a top turntable technician able to fuse beats seamlessly.

And it’s not just Whistler that’s welcomed the Alien. Jet-setting Andrew is renowned the world over. His C1rca sponsored summer CD with 2004 DMC world DJ champion DJ Dopey has made waves through the global hip-hop community. The Alien is gaining equal stature as a producer through his self-started label, Really Good Records. Recent releases include solo CD Downtime and a release by Vancouver MC Subliminal JC. His edgy mixes soundtrack Whistler’s biggest events including the World Ski and Snowboard Festival and this year’s First Night Festival.

On a more intimate scale he mans the decks at Moe Joe’s every Wednesday night and brings the funk to the GLC on Mondays. Lucky for Whistler, the Alien has landed.

Coming in second this year is Peacefrog, whose choice of dance tunes have helped turn Buffalo Bill’s into the hot spot it is. Third place is a tie between God’s gift to house music lovers/last year’s winner DJ Milton and the eclectic, eccentric Mr. Fister – whose Saturday night Musical Education 101 at the GLC has all the kids begging for detention.

Best bartender

Ever been to Garf’s on a busy Thursday? Or Friday? Or Saturday? Or any day for that matter? The expansive club’s sunken bar sets the bartending staff up as gladiators in a colosseum of thirsty partiers, waving the bling and shouting out their orders over the din of the pounding beats. The excitement can reach a fever pitch, but the calm in the eye of the storm is a certain Scotty Musgrave. He’s the special breed of liquor-jockey that can look you in the eye the whole time he pours your shot and not spill a drop. The man’s so cool he’s the one they call for big time gigs, such as emceeing the main stage at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Let’s go as far as to say he’s Steve McQueen cool behind that bar, thanks to that killer smile that always gets him out of trouble. No wonder he tops the list of Whistler’s best bartenders for yet another year.

Second place was not quite so decisive. Whistlerites showed love for Musgrave’s colleagues Lando and Soo, as well as Heather at the Amsterdam, Hippie Josh from BBK’s, Darryl MacDonald and mountain-bike filmmaker/Boot Pub pourer Big Red Ted. Also noted in a big ol’ tie for third were Kenny Lymer, John Jesten, Jimmy from Bill’s and a pair of Tapley’s tapmasters: Tank and Zoo.

Best place to cut a rug

This town loves to go out dancin’ and there are countless places to cut a rug, but this year Buffalo Bill’s edged out all others as the best place to get down. Its popularity is likely a result of its universal appeal. Everyone loves Bill’s – from the 19-year-old U.S. college student legally drunk for the first time to the 65-year-old dancing granny who still fits into leather pants. With longtime DJ Peacefrog on the dials you know the tunes will be great and that there will be tons of other people there to boogie down with you.

Coming in second is Garf’s, whose sheer size makes for a great dance floor experience, especially if your lack of inhibitions let you up on stage to gyrate with the other soused lovelies. Perennial list maker Moe Joe’s came in third – hip-hop, rock, reggae, house music and country line dancing, the basement club has got it goin’ on no matter what you’re into.

Best place to see a live act

With the sale of the Boot Pub and Shoestring Lodge to Cressey Developments last year the end is nigh for a Whistler institution and the perennial winner of the title of Best Place to See A Live Act, so go out and experience one while you still can. Jam bands, rock bands, metal bands, reggae bands, and punk bands, the less-than-shiny element of raw live music is alive and thriving at the Boot and obviously Whistler appreciates it. The players appreciate the Boot just as much, or more. The Hip shocked us with two surprise shows there in October 2003 and Aussie didj player Xavier Rudd makes a pilgrimage every time he’s in the area. In the words of Kai Eckhardt, bass player for American super jam band and repeat visitors Garaj Mahal: "the Boot is a funky little room because it has a lot of wood inside and a wooden room usually sounds good for the type of music we play. Glass, stone, metal – it hurts the ears. Wood absorbs. I just hope we can find a place where we can continue this."

Coming in second is Buffalo Bill’s – the venue of choice for local promoter Larry Laporte who brings in everything from zydeco to old-time blues to all-girl Cuban salsa bands. Third place goes to the GLC, whose most memorable show of late was the Supersuckers last April. The band agreed to halt the action for the conclusion of the Vancouver Canucks/Calgary Flames game-six overtime. The Canucks won, the party raged, and the Supersuckers did an amazing cover of Outkast’s Hey Ya. Not an issue that concerns us this year, I’m afraid.

Coolest staff

Club staff put up with a lot in this town. High season crush. Dead season downtime. When everyone is on vacation club staff are working harder than ever. But part of Whistler’s identity is the ability to show people a good time and to keep cool and this year the staff at Buffalo Bill’s has been voted the coolest in town. Bill’s Manager Dale Schweighart said he’s noticed this year’s staff seem to have taken a personal interest in the different nights and events, resulting in more familiarity with the club-going crowd. And if you’re talking crowds, show up on Wednesdays for the weekly locals/industry night, which is one of the hottest tickets in town with lineups spilling into Village Square. The Bill’s door staff, coat checkers, bouncers, bartenders and servers keep things running smoothly. "Nights like that are like a train," Schweighart remarked. "You keep smilin’, keep movin’. The people outside are desperate to get in and we’re desperate to get them in."

Bill’s edged out last year’s winners at Moe Joe’s. The crew from the basement bar across the way is a fixture on the cool staff list. The laid back pouring and serving staff at the Boot Pub came in at No. 3.

Apres-ski bar

Admit it, there are certain days you go up the hill just for the excuse to drink in the afternoon. The Garibaldi Lift Co., or GLC, has inspired many a snow-rider to suit up in less than optimum conditions. Sitting atop the Whistler village gondola station the high-ceilinged bar has big windows and a sunny patio for checking out the action on the hill and down below in Skier’s Plaza. Not to mention a blazing fireplace, tasty appies and great music courtesy of an all-star après-ski DJ lineup that includes Mr. Fister, Ace, Garth, Rob Banks and Phroh.

Coming in second is the Longhorn Saloon. The sprawling, energetic patio scene at the base of both mountains draws in snow riders like honeybees to the hive, earning the bar an international reputation as a hot spot for après—ski party action. Coming in third is Dusty’s Bar and Barbecue – après central for those who end up in the Creek, either on purpose or by accident. But when a wrong turn tastes like a pulled pork sandwich, who wants to be found?

Patio

If you’re looking for an introspective spot where you can sit alone with your nose in a book the Citta’s patio is most definitely not for you. The toilet bowl-shaped deck protrudes into the Village Square putting you and your friends on display for all passersby. If you want to catch up with everyone you know in Whistler, grab a table on Citta’s patio. Doesn’t matter if it’s midsummer or a sunny après—ski afternoon. Some will mosey on their way. Some will join you for another beer, or two, or three. Maybe share a plate of appies. The Citta’s patio is all about sharing. And all about catching up. Everything a great patio should be.

Coming in second is the expansive patio at the Longhorn Saloon, possibly the friendliest place in town on a sunny afternoon and a place where Frankenstein-esque dancing in ski boots or hanging out in dirtbag mountain bike gear is both acceptable and encouraged.

Third place sits a stone’s throw across Skiers Plaza. Whistlerites have long been fans of the casual atmosphere on the patio at Black’s Pub and this year the architectural community got on board, awarding the establishment a design award for the patio and its innovative stone, glass and metal fountain sculpture.

Shoot some stick

Shooting pool is definitely cool. It’s a good way to meet people, impress people and a great complement to a cocktail or two. Bar owners know this and billiards tables are de rigeur in most drinking establishments. But there are good places to shoot stick and crappy places to shoot stick. This year the Longhorn Saloon has been deemed the best place to shoot stick. The table area’s got a cool hangout vibe. It’s not just pushed off into a dark corner. Go see for yourself at their rockin’ locals’ night on Sundays.

Coming in second is Buffalo Bill’s. The billiards table is well placed in the busy club so you don’t have to worry about some bozo knocking your elbow when you’re setting up for the kill.

And in third place is last year’s winner the Cinnamon Bear, a cozy living room atmosphere on the lobby level of the newly renovated Whistler Village Resort lets you concentrate on your banked combo shots like the true Fast Eddie Felson you know you are.

Local hangout

For the second year in a row Citta’s takes the award for best local hangout. "Local" is a subjective and oft-debated word, but there are few that would debate the fact that Citta’s oozes local flavour. Several staff members have been with the restaurant and pub for over a decade, including longtime bartender Parveen Pehota and manager Colin Pyne. The serving staff is all seasoned Whistlerites, familiar and hardcore. TV’s "Cheers" is a construct of a bunch of Hollywood suits, but Citta’s is for real. For Whistler, it’s a friendly hangout where maybe not everybody knows your name, but guaranteed somebody knows something.

Laid-back neighbourhood pub Tapley’s came in second this year, although if the contest focused in on Monday Night Football and other big-time sporting events, Tapley’s likely would have blown everyone out of the water.

The Crystal Lounge, with its basement rec room vibe, cheap chicken wings and ridiculously fun Monday night karaoke sessions was a strong third.

Media Arts & Culture

Best band/musician

Guitar Doug. The Tao of Doug would go something like this: life is happiness inspired through crowd-pleasing sing-a-long guitar rock ’n’ roll. Legend is a term that gets tossed around like croutons in the Caesar salad of life, but longtime local "Guitar Doug" Craig is the real thing. He’s internationally renowned as "The Daddy-O of the Patio" so it’s no surprise he’s back on top this year as Whistler’s favourite musician. You haven’t experienced Whistler until you’ve experienced après-ski à la Doug. If you’ve never seen a Guitar Doug show a good place to start would be the Endless Après New Years party he’ll be soundtracking with his partner in Hairfarming harmony Grateful Greg. And if you miss that, check out the hangover-curing Hair of the Doug sessions at Dusty’s on Jan. 1. And if you miss that, don’t worry. Another Doug date will pop up like a mushroom on your dad’s lawn. It’s a sure thing. Raise your pint and grow your hair: Guitar Doug. Whistler’s Best musician, 2004.

Coming in second this year are local porno-funkster darlings Slow Nerve Action who are lending their high-energy sexiness to the Boot Pub on New Year’s Eve. Third on the list is yummy singer/songwriter Melanie Dekker. Even though Mel’s a resident of North Van she’s an honorary local for her regular dates at the Mallard Lounge. She also caught a big gig this past summer opening for superstar Faith Hill up at Base II. Whistler loves ya, Mel. Keep coming back!

Best artist

Chili Thom is hot, hot, hot, once again winning the title of Best Artist out of a deep, local field. On a creative level, nothing can slow him down. Thom made his name as a painter of whimsical landscapes with a distinctively Dr. Seussian aesthetic, but continues to progress, showing a more graphic-inspired style as of late, distinctly influenced by his accelerating career as a DJ. His landscapes are not exempt from the progression and are taking on a more surreal look and tone. His work continues to grace the walls of Sushi Village, where he was represented at this summer’s inaugural Whistler ArtWalk, and can be seen on the topsheets of this year’s models of Atomic skis. It’s exhilarating to ponder what else he might have up his sleeve.

Nipping at Thom’s heels this year is Michelle Yamamoto, whose eye-catching outlined graphic style graced several Pique covers throughout the year. In third place was perennial list maker Cori Ross, whose funky Whistler snow and summer scenes have become iconic for this area.

Best writer

The best thing about G.D. Maxwell’s repeat victories as Whistler’s Best Writer is that he isn’t trying to win any favours. Literary agents can tell you people want Chicken Soup for the Soul, but Max proves Whistler wants something with a little more bite. His cantankerous Pique epilogues demonstrate the school of journalistic thought that believes if you’re not pissing anyone off; you’re not doing your job. He’s not going to pull any punches and he’s not going to tiptoe around your sensitivities. He welcomes hate mail. It means it’s all working. But he can also be a sweetheart. His end of winter feature on three of Whistler’s most senior ski instructors was as heartwarming as apple cider. Spiked of course. We tap our keyboards and tip our pens to you, Max, Best Writer title-holder for yet another year.

Coming in at number two is the always entertaining, deliciously offensive, crusty young bastard Feet Banks, scribe of the Pique’s Notes From The Back Row movie column, who uses films as a jumping off point to wax sarcastic on anything and everything. In third place this year is the Pique’s coffee swilling nighthawk arts and music writer Shelley Arnusch.

Event of the year

Let’s see. Where to begin. The best of the best big air skiers and snowboarders blasting into the stratosphere. Hip-hop superstars the Black Eyed Peas throwing down for 10,000 fans at a free outdoor concert at the base of Whistler-Blackcomb. Justin Timberlake at the rail jam. Lauren Graham’s gorgeous short film Insert Meaning Here winning the high-octane 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown. Surf shooter Jason Childs’s bold lifestyle shots of Indonesia at the Pro Photographer Showdown. Quiet yet profound readings by Whistler’s most acclaimed scribes. And parties, parties, parties. April’s 10-day season ender bender the World Ski and Snowboard Festival has come out on top as the event of the year. No surprise there.

Coming in at number two is November’s Cornucopia Festival of Food and Wine, a classy event with a steadily growing international profile, and a signature party at the Bearfoot Bistro that keeps upping the notoriety ante. In third place, the Whistler Film Festival, which grew this year in leaps and bounds, attracting celebrity guests and launching big money film prizes, yet still managed to maintain a community vibe. What a town.

Local news story

The Nita Lake Lodge saga and one year retrospectives on the October 2003 flood topped this list. The ongoing story of the 2010 Olympics was third.

Quote

So many words, so many interpretations, so little agreement. From the banal – "dude", "pow day", "I’d rather be skiing" – to the provocative – "Regime change anyone?" (G.D. Maxwell). The cross-dressing Mike Varrin, star of stage, scene and GLC, was nominated for his quip, "If I had breasts I’d never leave home." "Whistler value" was also nominated.

But the number one quote – and keep in mind this poll was done during the fall rainy season – for 2004 is: "Just another perfect day in paradise."

Best photographer

What can we say about Mr. Blake Jorgenson that can do this young ruler justice? After breaking out by winning both the Pro Photographer Search and the Pro Photographer Showdown at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in 2001, Jorgenson has established himself as one of the premier shooters in the Whistler area. His work shows a remarkable maturity that defies his mere 29 years on the planet, his unique aesthetic turning terrain into art and life into rock ’n’ roll. Jorgenson showcased his work as last September’s exhibitor in the upstairs gallery at MY Millennium Place, capping the month with a new slideshow that thrilled a diverse crowd in the MY Place theatre. Gorgeous framed prints currently adorn the walls of the new 21 Steps restaurant and lounge and he recently launched a new Web site (www.blakejorgenson.com) that features his notorious portrait of pro skier Jonny Law in the intro.

Coming in second this year is Squamish-based photographer Maureen Provençal, who has recently delved into Whistler’s diverse chef community for a new weekly column in the Pique’s food and drink section. Third place is a tie between respected longtime local action and landscape photographer Paul Morrison and Andy Dittrich, a fun-loving freelancer specializing in capturing Whistler’s club scene.

Sports & recreation

Best run on Whistler-Blackcomb

This year Pique readers overwhelmingly chose Whistler’s newest (official) run, Peak to Creek, as its best run.

Peak to Creek, although accessible for years, didn’t make the Whistler-Blackcomb map until this year, with the mountains spending $1.5 million to summer groom the trail – pulling stumps, digging drainage ditches, and smoothing out the rougher rocky patches – to have it open this season.

Whistler’s most popular run is also its biggest, adding 400 acres of skiable terrain to the overall picture, along with the longest top to bottom vertical of 5,020 feet.

Although there was some concern by locals that opening the area to the general public would ruin their skiing experience, the run was so popular that it was usually tracked out by noon anyway. And Whistler-Blackcomb did the hardcore a favour by leaving the other runs in the area, Dusty’s Descent, Big Tiimber and Home Run, as they were and as locals seem to like them.

This was not Peak to Creek’s first Best of Whistler award – last year the Dave Murray Downhill took the top honours, but the ‘P’ to the ‘C’ won the two years before that when it was still, technically, out of bounds.

There was a tie for second place this year, with Blackcomb cruiser Ridge Runner getting the same number of votes as the Dave Murray Downhill.

Best outdoor sport

It seems more Pique voters were two-plankers this season, with skiing edging out knuckle-dragging by a narrow four votes to be named Whistler’s Best Outdoor Sport.

In past years, this category was the Best Outdoor Sport, not including skiing or snowboarding, but we thought it would be interesting this year to see how our readers get down the mountain. There’s no question that skiing has made a huge resurgence in recent years. Even Prior, our local snowboard factory, has started making a line of all-mountain skis.

But when it comes to the old rivalry between the two sports, we have to defer to the opinion of pro snowboarder Victoria Jealouse, who we interviewed for our sports section – "All of this division between (skiing and snowboarding) is pretty ridiculous to me. A snowboard is just a tool, like skis are a tool, but the snow is the same, and the mountains are the same and the spirit is the same." Can’t we all just get along?

Mountain biking was number three on the list, which means a lot of readers chose the sport over skiing and snowboarding.

And it seems it’s not just the people of Whistler who like to mountain bike – people like to mountain bike in Whistler as well. The International Mountain Bike Association’s annual report card, released last week, declared B.C. as the "ultimate global mountain biking location" and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park as the "benchmark for lift-accessed mountain biking."

Best indoor sport

As anyone who has attended a Masters Swim Class can tell you, swimming is hugely popular in Whistler. Whether it’s indoor swimming at Meadow Park, or a dip in any of our local lakes, people are living the life aquatic. It’s a good thing, because swimming is one of the healthiest sports around, boosting strength, stamina, aerobic capacity, and blood flow – all things needed to sustain us in our second favourite indoor contact sport, sex.

Hockey actually tied sex for the second spot, but in fairness, hockey is a sport while sex, like baseball and golf, is more of a cherished past-time.

Yoga was fourth on the list, which is interesting. Although it does give one the same benefits as swimming, along with flexibility, it’s not something you can do competitively or in teams like other sports. But who knows – maybe they should have "Hanging Dog" and "Lotus" contests.

Best snowmobile tour

Nowadays it’s rare to find a home in Whistler without one or three snowmobiles parked out front, along with a truck to haul them from trailhead to trailhead in the Sea to Sky corridor.

But if you can’t afford one of your own (ever price a full setup?), or don’t plan to make it a regular hobby, then the next best thing to do is take a tour.

This year it’s Cougar Mountain, with its tenure in the Soo Valley, that received the most votes. Canadian Snowmobile Adventures, which offers tours on Blackcomb and in the Callaghan, was second, while Blackcomb Snowmobile, which has tenure in the Brandywine and Callaghan, was third.

Best heli-ski run

When the inbounds terrain gets packed out there’s a whole backcountry out there to explore, providing you have the right training and equipment. It can take almost all day to get up there however, when for about $60 (providing you have enough people) you can get a helicopter drop on several local peaks.

In Whistler, the most common drop point is the top of Rainbow Mountain, with routes that can take you right to Alpine Meadows or Alta Lake Road. Bring a cell phone, because you’ll want to call someone to pick you up.

The number two choice is Mount Currie in Pemberton, with several long and challenging routes from the peaks to the valley bottom.

The Ipsoot Glacier, which drains into the Rutherford Creek valley, was the third choice this year.

Best bike trail

Still undefeated in this category after all these years is A River Runs Through It, a challenging, two-directional and oh so accessible little trail that will ensure a love of mountain biking in anyone. A big thanks to WORCA, AWARE, the Community Foundation of Whistler and the RMOW for taking care of this trail, which can see up to 10,000 riders in a single month. Over the past two summers these groups have put about $35,000 worth of work into the trail, armoring sections, building and repairing stunts, and doing environmental work to protect wetlands and narrow sections that were getting a little too wide.

Number two on the list is Kill Me Thrill Me, Chris Markle’s original masterpiece to the north of Whistler. It’s long, technical and the switchbacks can kill you, but the granite sections are enough compensation for all the hard work.

Third on the list was Dirt Merchant in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Some riders just do laps of this trail all day, every day off. Air is pretty much mandatory.

Best municipal park

Our municipal parks are a lot of things to a lot of different people, with outdoor volleyball courts, grass for sunbathing, bocce and frisbee, tables for barbecues and picnics, and docks for boating, swimming and more tanning.

This summer, with temperatures hovering around the mid-30’s for almost two months, the parks got a lot of use.

Rainbow Park, with its views of Whistler-Blackcomb, was the number one park once again. The sports fields, tennis courts and children’s playground at Meadow Park were second, while Lost Lake, a prime location for tourists and nudists alike, was third.

Favourite Whistler athlete

It’s been 15 years since Rob Boyd became the first and only Canadian male to win a World Cup downhill on home soil, and he accomplished it on his home mountain of Whistler in front of his family and friends. Old-timers still remember the achievement as one of the greatest moments in Whistler history, sparking a celebration that lasted for days.

Boyd has since gone into coaching, starting off with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club before being hired this year to help coach the women’s national super G and giant slalom teams.

Based on his past achievements and his current contributions, Rob Boyd was named Whistler’s Favourite Athlete for the second year in a row.

Number two on the list is another alpine skier, technical specialist and regular Pique contributor, Britt Janyk. Janyk and her younger brother Michael are having outstanding seasons, landing in the top-30 in recent slalom events – the most difficult barrier to crack of all the alpine disciplines.

Third on the list is Seymour Kid, Wildcat Crew founder, and Option pro Kevin Sansalone. The Italian Stallion is easing from big air contests into the filming side of the business, both in front and behind the camera – depending on how injured he is any given moment. Always vocal, incredibly well-spoken, and wickedly funny, Sansalone has all the traits to be one of Whistler’s favourite athletes.

Health and fitness

Best fitness facility

As always, Meadow Park Sports Centre dwarfed the nominees by a factor of almost 20, but that’s to be expected from a facility that boasts the community’s only public skating rink, pool and squash courts, as well as a full-service aerobics room and well-stocked gym. What’s more interesting every year is to see who finished second – let’s face it, Meadow Park gets busy.

This year The Great Wall indoor climbing centre was second on the list. Third belonged to the Whistler Creek Athletic Centre, a.k.a. The Pumphouse.

Best spa

While Whistler was built on adrenaline, sometimes it’s nice to release the endorphins as well. To help relax our aching joints and muscles, Whistler probably boasts the most spas per capita of any town in Canada – maybe in the world.

For the second year in a row, readers picked the Vida Wellness Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for all of their pampering needs. Vida has it all – 15 types of massage and bodywork, Ayurvedic treatments, body wraps, water therapy, skin care, exfoliations, manicures, pedicures, and really soft towels. Visit www.vidawellness.com for more information.

In second place was the Solarice Wellness Centre and Spa, which offers a wide range of traditional spa treatments –15 categories on the list, as well as wellness workshops and classes in Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates. Check out their Web site at www.solarice.com for a better look.

Number three on the list is the Spa at Four Seasons, the newest in town. The spa is huge with 15 treatments rooms, a Vichy shower room (picture wall to wall to ceiling jets), a hydrotherapy room, a pair of couples rooms, and dozens of types of treatments. Check out www.fourseasons.com/whistler/vacations/spa_services.html for more information.

Best hair salon

With streaks and peaks, ’fros and flares, no town coifs it quite like Whistler.

There’s more to Function Junction than welders and hardware it seems, with Good Hair Day salon winning this category for the first time ever. The Loft on Main Street was second, followed by Revolution on Main Street.

Best hair stylist

A good hair stylist does more than cut hair. They’re there for good conversation, good gossip and the occasional counselling, and you tend to build a personal relationship with your stylist over the years.

This year Sarah Brown was voted Whistler Best Hair Stylist, edging out Emily Ng and Jack Noesgaard.

Best esthetician

Barabara Bates took the most votes in this category, finishing just ahead of Angela at Revolution Salon and Spa. In third place was Sam Schroder.

Best dental clinic

Whistler dentists have it tougher than in other towns, fixing broken teeth for our resident extreme athletes, and keeping teeth clean for a transient population that doesn’t have the insurance or the money to drop in for regular check-ups. Even though it means less money for them, our dentists are encouraging the use of mouthguards for everybody who plans to get airborne on a bike, skis, snowboards, skateboards or pogo sticks – drop in and get one professionally molded.

This year the Creekside Dental Clinic won the Best Clinic award from our readers. Whistler Dental was second, followed by Aarm Dental Group.

Best dentist

Dr. James MacKenzie of Whistler Dental is Whistler’s favourite dentist for this year, edging out perennial favourite Dr. John Roberts of Creekside Dental by a handful of votes. Third on the list for the second year in a row is Dr. Anne Crowley of Pemberton.

Best health trend

If yoga wins this one more year in a row, then it should be officially recognized as well past the "trend" phase. Every year it’s clearer that this is no Miami Vice jacket / Cabbage Patch Kid doll / padded stretch pants / here today, gone tomorrow fad.

The second rated trend is the cleanse – herbal, dietary, juice only, whole foods only, raw foods only, weekend long, two week long, once a year, twice a year, whatever you’re up for, people are doing it to lose weight, clean out their systems and sharpen their thinking.

Number three on the list was Boot Camp, an intensive, military-style program run by Cat Smiley. Earlier this year Smiley was named International Sports Science Association Trainer of the Year. Visit www.catsmiley.com for more info.

Best physiotherapist

Physiotherapists are literally the glue that holds this town together, the reason so many of us are walking upright, or even walking at all. They help rehabilitate some of the top snow sports athletes and mountain bikers in the world, as well as some of the top endurance athletes in the world.

This year Bianca Matheson and her magic hands of Peak Performance Physiotherapy and Massage got the nod as Whistler’s Best Physiotherapist.

Vicky Powell, also of Peak Performance, was second on the list while the team at Whistler Physiotherapy Group was third.

Best doctor

If physiotherapists are the glue, then doctors are our duct tape, putting bones and muscles back into place after our frequent run-ins with gravity and solid objects. It’s not an easy job in a small city where one broken bone is considered a good year and illnesses travel from around the world to vacation for the winter, so the doctors have our thanks.

This year the Best Doctor award goes to Dr. Karin Kausky of the Whistler Medical Clinic. Dr. Ian Tamplin from the Town Plaza Medical Clinic was second, followed by the Whistler Medical Clinic’s Tom DeMarco.

Best chiropractor

When your body is out of alignment, sometimes all you need is a good mechanic. If physios and doctors are glue and duct tape, then chiropractors are a wrench.

Keith Ray was voted Whistler’s top chiro this year, followed closely by Peter Drysdale and Jackie Brusset.

Best massage therapist

Sometimes a good massage is all you need to ease those aches and pains, relieve your stress, and get you back out on those slopes. It’s been proven in studies that aside from the obvious benefits to your muscles and joints, massages trigger the release of endorphins, which in turn boosts your immune system, increases blood flow and promotes a feeling of calm and happiness.

This year Whistler voted Stacey White as its Best Massage Therapist, followed closely by Cathy Konkle and Donna McMurty.

Shops and Wares

Best place for men’s clothing

It’s a mystery how something so decidedly un-Whistler – a big chain store, generic yet trendy clothes, and one of the most recognizable logos in the world – can take the top spot for best men’s clothing store in Whistler. But it did. Ah, the Gap. There’s something so safe and reliable about it and maybe that’s why the men in Whistler love it. Or maybe it’s because there isn’t a whole lot of choice out there and let’s face it, everyone looks good in Gap.

In close second is Westbeach, the Vancouver-based snowboard store that’s celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Another chain store, Eddie Bauer takes third place.

Best place for women’s clothing

The men and women of Whistler think alike. Maybe it’s the Sarah Jessica Parker commercials with the Lenny Kravitz tunes. Maybe it’s the uncanny way that the jeans always seem to fit perfectly. Maybe it’s because when you go into the Gap you know you can find a sweater, T-shirt, or pair of pants for any occasion. And the folding! It just doesn’t get any better than that. We may not be original in our choice of best men’s and women’s clothing stores this year but we know what we like. And we like the Gap.

Second place for women’s clothing is another familiar name, Le Chateau. And finally something a little more unique – ski shop Wild Willies takes third place for best women’s clothing.

Best ski shop

You want the skinny on skis? Come to Whistler. Hands down, people here know more about skiing than anywhere else in the world. Skiing isn’t just a hobby in Whistler, a winter activity, or a fun sport. It’s a way of life. And so it’s serious stuff when it comes to best ski shop in Whistler. This year the award goes to Can Ski. Can Ski knocks out Wild Willies from the top spot for the first time in five years! Can Ski, a Whistler-Blackcomb store, has four locations in Whistler – base of Whistler Mountain, base of Blackcomb Mountain, base of Creekside and in Village North – from which to sell its selection of ski equipment and apparel.

Pique readers haven’t forgotten about Wild Willies though. Second place goes to the locally owned ski shop. Fanatyk Co, another locally owned shop, takes the third spot this year.

Best snowboard shop

Like skis, Whistler knows a lot about snowboards. We look after our snowboards the way we would look after a newborn baby, with tender love and care. They get cleaned and waxed and decorated with stickers because they are an extension of us for six months of the year. And so we take particular care when it comes to choosing the best snowboard shop in the resort. Another Whistler-Blackcomb shop, Showcase, took a definitive top spot in this category this year. Two local independents took the second and third spots. They are respectively Evolution and The Circle.

Best bike shop

The first category in shops and wares so far with not a chain store in sight! It was a close race for first, second and third places for the best bike shop in Whistler. Let’s face it, it’s a big deal to be voted as the best bike shop in a place that’s just been named as the "ultimate global mountain biking location" by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The top three in order are: Fanatyk Co, Evolution and Katmandu. If you want to learn about bikes, if you want to figure out what’s wrong with your bike, or if you just want to shoot the shit with some savvy local bike gurus, you know where to go. These are the same winners in last year’s Best of Whistler survey with one change. Fanatyk Co knocked Evolution from the top spot this year for the first time in five years.

Best grocery store

The other places just can’t break the winning streak on this one. It may have changed hands (it’s now part of the Jim Pattison empire) but when it comes to its grocery stores Whistlerites have remained steadfast to the one and only Nesters Market. With our Nesters Cards, Nesters offers great deals for our groceries. It’s where the locals shop and it’s the store the locals vote for every year. Hands down, Nesters takes the top spot again this year.

Second place goes to the new Creekside Market in Franz’s Trail, which gives more spice and variety to the south side of town. IGA takes third place.

Best video store

The biggest store is also the best store in this category. Whistlerites chose the Rogers Video in MarketPlace as the best video store in Whistler. Not only can you buy and rent DVDs and VHSs (do people still rent VHS tapes?), you can also buy treats for your movie watching pleasure and cell phones too.

Second place goes to the Movie Gallery in Franz’s Trail, with the little but always reliable movie store at Nesters, Whistler’s Other Video Store, taking third place.

Best photo finishing

It’s hard for Slalom (1Hr) Photo and 28 Minute Photo to break the hold that Whistler 1 Hour Photo Source has in this category, though they came very close this year. It may have something to do with Whistler 1 Hour’s colourful and, we’d be as bold to say infamous, proprietor Rick Clare. In addition to his duties as Tourism Whistler’s chair of the board, Clare also runs two longstanding and reliable photo finishing stores in town. Though Clare is a man about town by his own right, his dog Spike is just as renowned in the resort. Whistler 1 Hour takes top spot again. Slalom and 28 Minute took second and third places respectively.

Best financial institution

Who knew Pique readers would feel so strongly about their financial institutions? For the first time ever the Pique included a category for Best Financial Institution and people voted in their droves. It’s easy to see why the Royal Bank took top spot. Every year in November the bank lineups grow longer and longer as fresh-faced seasonal workers come to town and sign up for a new Royal Bank account. The bank also has a steady and loyal following with the long-term residents too. The Royal definitely took the best financial institution in this poll and that might have something to do with the friendly cashiers, particularly the business tellers who always have treats for dogs and candies for kids. What more can you ask for in a bank?

The TD bank and the North Shore Credit Union took second and third spots.

Best realtor

Another new Pique category – and it’s about time! There could hardly be a "best of" poll in Whistler without a spot for best realtor, who as we are often told, are the lifeblood of the community, the people that keep the economy rolling, the facilitators of multi-million dollar deals. There are more than 100 of them in town and they peddle our 8,000 square foot mansions (despite the fact that most homes in Whistler are legally only allowed to be 5,000 square feet) as well as those oh-so-affordable "starter homes" in the half mill range. Though realtors often get a bad rap, Whistler has its fair share of the good guys. Let’s not forget that some realtors volunteer for the Olympics, they raise money for local charities every year at the Festival of Lights and they take time out of their busy schedules to help first time homebuyers learn a little about the market.

Two Remax realtors got the top two spots in this category. James Collingridge, described by some as young, hip, and cute to boot, took the top spot. Dave Beattie came in second place. Third place goes to Whistler Real Estate agent Christopher E. Moore.

Best lawyer

Perhaps he is best known for his other role in town, municipal councillor. But when you see Nick Davies in action at council meetings you just know he’s a lawyer. Quick to think on the spot, analytical, and fair, Nick Davies takes the top spot in another new Pique category this year for Best Lawyer in Whistler. Davies firm is the Whistler Law Offices. Second place goes to Greg Diamond, and a tie for third place goes to Ian Davis, from Race & Co and Peter Shrimpton.