Vermont Sports Magazine readers have given Outdoor Gear Exchange, Sugarbush Resort, Onion River Sports, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Jay Peak, Skirack and Mad River Glen top honors in the 2013 Black Diamond of Excellence Awards.
The Black Diamond Awards, in their second year, aim to honor the best of Vermont’ s outdoor, fitness and recreation industries.
‘ We were honored that votes came in from all over New England, for businesses and organizations throughout the state of Vermont,’ said Sky Barsch, Vermont Sports publisher and editor. ‘ We are thrilled to be able to honor the wonderful people, organizations and places that make Vermont’ s great outdoors so extraordinary.’
Readers from seven states, casted ballots in nearly 90 categories, ranging from gear shops to personal trainers to ski area grooming. One lucky voter, Baxter Miatke of Burlington, won lift tickets and Pump House Indoor Waterpark passes courtesy of Jay Peak Resort.
Some of the highlights include:
Outdoor Gear Exchange: Best Gear Shop (Overall), Best Ski Tune Up, Best Nordic/Backcountry Ski Retailer, Best Ski/Snowboard Repair, Bet Climbing Shop, Best Hiking/Backpacking/Camping Shop and Best Customer Service at a Gear Shop.
Sugarbush Resort: Best Vermont Ski/Ride area, Best Trail (Rumble), Best Rental Facilities, Best Après-Ski Bartender (Shawn Fuschetto) and a tie for Best Après-Ski Live Music.
Onion River Sports: Best Bike Repair, Best Road Bike Retailer, Best Mountain Bike Retailer, Best Place to Buy a Car Rack; Best Century Ride (Onion River Century) and Best Snowshoe Event (Onion River’ s Snowshoe Romp in Hubbard Park).
Mad River Glen: Best Life (Single Chair), Best Bumps, Best Lift Operator (Steve Eurich), Best Ski Instructor (Terry Barbour), Best Après-Ski Waitstaff (General Stark’ s Pub), and a tie for Best Après-Ski Live Music.
Jay Peak Resort: Best Powder, Best Tree Skiing, Best Ski/Ride Deals, Best Snowboard Instructor (Dean Zorn), Best Groomer (Jesse Houston).
Craftsbury Outdoor Center: Best Northern Vermont Nordic Area, Fastest to Groom After a Storm and a tie for Best Biathlon Course.
Skirack: Best Running Gear Shop, Best Triathlon Gear Shop.
For a complete list of winners, see vtsports.com/bd13 or pick up a copy of the February-March issue, hitting stands on February 16.
2.5.2013. Vermont Sports: Vermont Sports Magazine publishes 10 issues per year and focuses on the outdoors and outdoor lifestyle in Northern New England. Locally owned, the free magazine is available throughout Vermont and in select locations around New England.