Category: Service

Bike Shop: Wild Rose. 702 E 3rd Avenue, 533-8671. Call em the little shop that could. Wild Rose was head and shoulders the winner, with devoted customers letting us know that when it comes to tune-ups, Wild Rose is tops.

Ski Shop: Again, Wild Rose—apparently those boys in the Avenues know a thing or two about wax as well. Close behind and tied for second were the Lift House 3698 E 7000 S 943-1056, and Peterson’s in Orem.

Snowboard Shop:Two way tie for first between Milosport 3119 E 3300 S 487-8600 and Canyon Sports 1844 E Fort Union 942-3100, high praise considering all the competion for the attention of groms ( and their not-so-young fellow riders ).

Running store: In your opinion, Salt Lake City Running Company 3142 S Highland 484-9144 was way out in front of the pack. Their well-trained staff clearly knows what they’re talking about, and it shows.

Outdoor store: This was a tough category that should have been two to be fair. Perennial favorite REI 3285 E 3300 S 486-2100 knocked down enough votes to be number 1, but their size is a huge advantage. Call them tops in national chains, but when you chose your best among local stores, Wasatch Touring 702 E 100 S 359-9361 and Kirkham’s 3125 S state 486-4161 tied for top honors. The reason? Riley Cutler and crew at Wasatch Touring take the time to get to know what YOUR needs are, and Kirkham’s, with continual innovations like their famous Springbar tents, is a favorite for families all along the Wasatch Front.

Bargain gear: Ahh, nothing says Utah like saving a buck or two, and you folks are pros. Top honors for good values goes to Gart Sports (several locations ), with props also to the flurry of deals around annual Ski Swaps, and the always-worth-digging-through bargain bins at the Patagonia 3267 S Highland 466-2246

Best service/return policy: No Contest: it’s REI, jokingly referred to among those who like to put their gear through it’s paces as “Return/Exchange Incorporated.” Call it what you like: if they sold it (a huge database cuts down on fraud), and it’ ain’t up to snuff, you get a new one or your money back. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything were that simple? Let’s start with Washington DC….

People:

These categories got way out of hand from day one—it’s a good thing “my wife” or “my husband” wasn’t a candidate, otherwise they would have won in a walk. Since none was a clear winner, and since you cared enough to let us know, we’re going to run as many names as we can fit. Congrats to all—clearly you’re admired by someone! ( note: we were really proud to see long time Sports Guide contributors KateCheney, Amber Borowski, Tyson Bradley nominated. Yea, we’ve got talent;) )

Local athlete you admire:
Jon Turkula
Art O’Conner
Jimmy Ludlow
Heather Albert
Ryan Littlefield
Matt Gorham
Tristan Gale
Jeremy Nobis
Shannon Burke
BJ Brewer
Kevin Shilling
Adam Nasibitt

Local legend:
Joe Quinnie
Bob Chambers
Stein Erikson
Alf Engen
Andrew McLean
John Cronin
Porter Rockwell
Sus\zy Shinner
Robert Redford

All around male:
Blue Montgomery
John Aalberg
Coleman Motley
Arne Holmquist
Gordy Pfiefer
Jared Campbell
Tyson Bradley
Nathan Rafferty

All around female:
Chris Witty
Amber Borowski
Loni Ireland
Kristen Ulmer
Picaboo Street
Jen Eyre
Kate Cheney
Jo Garucio

Food:

Time to add “food” to categories of things, like religion and politics, that’s sure to stir up a conversation. You like to work out, and you clearly like to eat—and know what you like! Here’s your picks for places to power up, and wind down.

Health food market: No contest, not even close, no-more-callers-please-we-have-a-winner: Wild Oats. 1131 E Wilmington Ave 359-7913 and 645 E 400 S, 355-7401. In fact, the only debate was between which is better, the slight nod going to the 4th south location. Excellent healthy food, friendly people—just going in one makes you feel like you’re getting in shape.

Smoothie: Doesn’t matter how you like it, with a shot, with extra protein, with little ice—you want it from the Jamba Juice chain ( many locations). Get a shot of wheatgrass chaser-ahh, good and good for ya.

Coffee house: This was a tough one—clearly your morning brew is sacred to many of you—but when the dust settled you picked Salt Lake Roasting Company 320 E 400 S 363-7572 (with a new location open in the fabulous new city library) as the best coffee shop in town, follow closely by the 9th and 9th mecca of Coffee Garden. (Editorial note—We immediately discounted any votes for Starbucks, as a penalty for their being too ubiquitous, and their nasty corporate habit of planting yet another cookie cutter shop opposite established local places. So, now that you know where to go and have been freed of corporate brainwashing, put down that double skim soy skinny frappachinowhatever, and go get a real cup of brew.)

Pre-workout carbo load: Surprisingly, a category without a winner. Almost every entry said something about one or another Italian resturant—hey, the category is carbo load—but none got enough to pull ahead of the pack, so we’ll leave this one blank until next year.

Post workout meal: Good pub style food, excellent brews, and the parking’s not too bad, either. Find it all at the Desert Edge Brewpub, Trolley Square 521-8917, Salt Lake’s best place for a post workout meal.

Pub: Perhaps it should come as no surprise: Desert Edge is also your top pick for a place to hoist a pint, just ahead of Squatters 147 W Broadway 363-2739. Some say it’s the lower alcohol in Utah beer that allows the flavor to come out, which is why our local brews do so well nationally—sure does taste that way. There: finally a response to people complaining about alcohol content.

Apres Ski: You’ve been hammering all day on the slopes, your body is screaming for calories and perhaps a mug or three of liquid pain killer, where you going to go? If you can get out of the canyons (and past the free snacks at the Peruvian at Alta) then you’re headed straight to the Porcupine Pub& Grill 3690 E 7000 S 453-7000, your choice for the best après ski in Utah.

Sunday Brunch: A dead tie for the best place to load up on a weekend morning, and linger over the Sports Guide: Ruth’s Diner 2100 East Emigration Canyon Road 582-5807 and the Silver Fork Lodge at Brighton 435-649-9551. On second thought, better bring the New York Times—unless you time it right, you could be in for a bit of a wait at these very popular eateries.

Kid friendly: No clear winner, though nods went to the Mayan 9400 S State 304-4600 and Chuck E Cheese 10535 S State—both of which knows a thing or two about how to distract, entertain, and wear out the little angels.

Events:

Road race: The crowds, the climate, the relatively easy grade—no wonder your choice for the best road race in Utah was the Salt Lake Classic. Cool t-shirts, too.

Off road race: Really want to hurt yourself? Want to bring along some people to watch? Then you need to enter the Wasatch Steeplechase, part race, part body demolition derby, and your pick for number one off road race in Utah.

Mountain bike race: The big kahuna of not just the local, but the national racing scene as well: 24 Hours of Moab. Just like it sounds—hot, dusty, and around the clock; put it on your “must do” life list to try at least once.

Road bike race: Take one part road bike. Add several thousand feet of elevation gain, lots of gorgeous scenery winding up Little Cottonwood Canyon, and did we mention lots of elevation gain? The appeal of doing it may be mixed, but you were clear on one thing: the Snowbird Hill Climb is your favorite road bike race in Utah.

Triathlon: Mild weather, reasonable distances, and a fun vibe (shave your head @ sign in and get a reduced entry fee, for example) made the St. George Triathlon your pick for Utah’s best.

Adventure race: The Wasatch Powder Keg has yet to be raced, so it says something that it’s already getting votes. Number one, however is still the Wasatch 100. Deceptively simple name, brutal concept: 100 off road miles, often in the middle of nowhere. Go too slow, and your DQ-ed. They should sell tickets; oh wait, they do.

Post event party: It’s THE place to be when the season ends, the last day party at Alta. Crowds congregate in all kinds of weather, and clothes, atop High Rustler, adding fuel to their personal fires until they’re ready to brave a hail of snowballs and attempt a descent. Timing is everyone: after 4pm, the Ski Patrol turns the mountain back the Forest Service for the year and bails out, and you’re forced to decide—leave too soon, and get pummeled, or leave too late and pummel yourself sipping liquid courage. Dress to impress, and bring Band-Aids.

Health: With so many outdoor activities close at hand, it’s no wonder we’ve got some of the best exercise related health care in the country. Your top pick: The University of Utah Sports Medicine Clinic, THE place to go when something goes POP!.

Massage: It’s Saturday, you’re sore, you’ve got $20 and a hankering for some tension release. Where you going to go? The Utah College of Massage Therapy, your pick for the best massage in town.

Yoga studio: Hip downtown location, classes that aren’t run by the clock, and instructors who understand it’s about where you are, not what they can do to show off—all that added up to make Soma Yoga 625 S State 363-7500 your choice for best yoga studio

Pilates studio: Streamline Bodyworks 1948 s 1100 E 474-1156 in Sugarhouse had all the right equipment and instructors to get your nod as top pilates studio

All around gym: Maybe it’s the pool, or the color-coded equipment, or maybe it’s that you really can go push stacks at 3am. Whatever the reason, you chose 24 Hr Fitness ( various locations ) as your top pick for all around gym.

Climbing gym: So who pulled down top ranking as Utah’s favorite climbing gym? Turns out it was a two way tie between The Front 1450 S 400 W 466-7625 and Rockreaction 2074 E 3900 S 278-7473. Climb off, anyone?

Swimming pool: No contest here—the Steiner Aquatic Center 645 S Guardsman Way 583-9713, with one indoor, one outdoor pool (perfect for summer tanning) ran away with the race for best swimming pool.

Groups:

Environmental group: Two environmental groups tied for the best in the Beehive state, and both work on different issues. Save Our Canyons 539-5333 got high marks for their work in the Wasatch, while the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance 486-3161got the nod on the strength of their work to preserve Utah’s public lands.

Hiking club: No contest: if you’re looking for a group to join to go hiking, call the experts at the Wasatch Mountain Club 463-9842, which organizes oodles of outings every month, open to people of all abilities.

Running club:
Rhino Runners*
Deboers
XRoad Runners
Master Fit

Biking club: tie
Color Country Cycling
Binghams
X Bonneville Bicycle Touring Club
XWild Rose Shop Ladies Club

Destinations:
Remember the Tour De France a couple years back, when Lance Armstrong looked like he was a cat playing with Joseba Beloki, before crushing him like a bug in the mountains? That’s what Alta did in this survey. Consider this:

Winner, Best Alpine Resort—Alta
Winner, Best Telemarking Resort—Alta
Winner, Best Family Resort—Alta
Winner, Best Ski Run: the show the whole mountain what you can do or flail publicly, 45 degree entry pitch 2500 foot vertical out there in front epic known as the High Rustler—Alta

Alpine resort:
Second place was a three way tie between Snowbird, the Canyons, and Deer Valley.

Snowboard resort: Yet another tie, this one for best snowboard resort. When it comes to surfing the mountains, you couldn’t choose between Brighton and Snowbird, so we’ll call them both winners—and pray for more snow.

Backcountry touring: Rather than pick a winner when none really stood out, here’s a list of places that you thought were among the best in Utah for getting away from the lift line crowds:
Flagstaff
Strawberry
Cutler Ridge- Ogden
Millcreek Canyon
Cariff Fork
Yellowstone
Catherine’s Pass
Wolverine Cirque
Big Cottonwood
Broad’s Fork

Powder stash: The secret won’t last for long, but your choice for Utah’s primo powder stash was under Alta’s Cecret lift. Ok, so it’s a little flat—powder is still powder.

Sports bar to watch the Tour de France: Speaking of Tour De France, where’s the best place(s) to watch Lance put the hammer down on those puny Europeans again this year? First choice: Iggy’s, with the under-new-ownership Fiddler’s Elbow coming in a close 2nd.

Hiking trail, day trip: In somewhat of a surprise, Dog Lake up Mill Creek canyon was the clear winner—hopefully winning won’t make it too crowded. Big pluses: nice views, a wide, well maintained trail, and then there’s all those sticks just waiting to be retrieved from the lake by your faithful canine companion.

Hiking trail, overnight: Perhaps it’s because the drought is making the chilly water level lower, and therefore more manageable. Whatever the reason, you picked the classic Zion Narrows as the best overnight trail—just make sure to check that weather report before going in.

Mountain bike trail, Wasatch front: Ahh, what can we say about the Crestline Trail? That it’s a great workout? That it’s good pretty much any season? That the views are epic? You said it best—it’s your number one pick for mountain biking along the Wasatch.

Mountain bike trail, the rest of Utah: The Slick Rock trail may get the tourists, and Gooseberry Mesa may have the buzz, but Porcupine Rim still gets your pick as Utah’s best mountain bike trail off the Wasatch Front.

Whitewater paddling, and rafting: Cataract Canyon. This may be the best year ever to be on “cat,” since receiding Lake Powell has, for the moment anyway, unveiled the last few rapids, and now the Colorado flows all the way past Hite Marina. If only every year were like this….

Canoe trip: This one was a tie, between the Green River and the San Juan. We’ll give the nod to the Green, since that same drought that’s making Cataract so nice has turned the poor San Juan into a braided mud flat.

Roller blading: Nothing like good public infrastructure, like the new library, or the TRAX system, to remind people of the good governement is capable of. The same has to be said of the finally-finished upgrade of Liberty Park, which in addition to a nice cedar chip running track and a you-gotta-see-it playground for kids of all ages ( seriously, go see it), put in a super smooth two lane loop that’s perfect for blading. No wonder you made it number one, although we were intrigued by the guy who suggested I street. In the Aveneues. On a Sunday morning. Hey, take a cup of coffee, and go watch the carnage.

National park: A two way tie between the alpha and omega of Utah’s National Parks. From Arches to Zion, the theme is the same: sandstone+water+time= amazing beauty.

Camp site, Wasatch front: Hopefully this designation won’t make it too crowded, but Tanners Flat in Little Cottonwood, all pines and granite grandeur, was your #1 choice.