The 2014 Black Diamond Winners
HERE THEY ARE … the winners of this year’s Black Diamond of Excellence Awards. Thank you to the hundreds of Vermont Sports readers from seven states who cast ballots and shared their opinions on the people and places that make Vermont’s outdoor scene so remarkable. Notable this year was an influx of votes from the Northeast Kingdom. You’ll see the impact on the results as some new names beat out some old favorites from larger population areas like Burlington. The outdoor community in the Kingdom is growing and knows how to rally its troops!
Without further ado, the winners are …
Category |
Winner |
Best Overall gear shop |
Village Sports Shop, Lyndonville |
Best Bike Fitter |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Bike repair |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Road Bike Retailer |
Onion River Sports, Montpelier |
Best Mountain Bike Retailer |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Kids’ Bike Retailer |
Onion River Sports |
Best Ski Tune Up |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Alpine Ski Retailer |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Nordic/Backcountry Ski Retailer |
Onion River Sports |
Best Ski/Snowboard Repair |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Boot Fitter |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Climbing Shop |
Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington |
Best Hiking/Backpacking/Camping Shop |
Outdoor Gear Exchange |
Best Running Gear Shop |
Onion River Sports |
Best Triathlon Gear Shop |
Fit Werx, Waitsfield |
Best Fishing Shop |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Paddling Shop |
Village Sports Shop |
Best Place to Buy a Car Rack |
Onion River Sports |
Best Brand of Car for Getting To and From Adventures |
Subaru |
Best Customer Service at a Gear Shop |
Onion River Sports |
Best Merino Wool Products Manufacturer |
Tie: Ibex, Darn Tough |
Best Vermont Ski/Ride Area |
Burke Mountain |
Best Terrain Park |
Jay Peak |
Best Snowmaking |
Burke Mountain |
Best Powder |
Jay Peak |
Best Bumps |
Burke Mountain |
Best Tree Skiing |
Jay Peak |
Best Grooming |
Jay Peak |
Best Mountain for Kids |
Burke Mountain |
Mountain with the Sickest Parties |
Killington |
Best Ski/Ride Deals |
Burke Mountain |
Best Lift (name lift and resort) |
The Single Chair, Mad River Glen |
Best Trail |
Dipper Doodle, Burke |
Best Lift Attendant |
Bogo, Sugarbush |
Best Ski Instructor |
Tyler Williams, Bromley Mountain |
Best Snowboarding Instructor |
Dean Zorn, Jay Peak |
Best Groomer |
Rory Burke, Stowe |
Best Rental Facilities |
Burke Mountain |
Best Northern Vermont Nordic Area |
Craftsbury Outdoor Center |
Best Central Vermont Nordic Ski Trails |
Morse Farm |
Best Southern Vermont Nordic Ski Trails |
Stratton Mountain |
Fastest to Groom After a Snowstorm |
Burke Mountain |
Best Nordic Instructor |
Larry Damon, Trapp Family Lodge |
Best Biathlon Course |
Craftsbury Outdoor Center |
Best Nordic Clinic |
Onion River Nordic |
Best Apres-Ski Hangout |
Tamarack Grill, Burke |
Best Vermont Brewery |
Trout River, Lyndonville |
Best Vermont Spirit |
Bar Hill |
Best Burger (meat) |
Three Penny Taproom, Montpelier |
Best Veggie Burger |
Bees Knees, Morrisville |
Best Apres-Ski Waitstaff |
Rachel at Bear’s Den, Burke |
Best Apres-Ski Bartender |
Roger at Tamarack Grill, Burke |
Best Apres-Ski Live Music Venue |
Pickle Barrel, Killington |
Best Locals’ Apres-Ski Venue |
Hyde Away Inn, Restaurant, Tavern |
Best Ski-Centered Inn/Hotel |
Hotel Jay, Jay Peak |
Best Apres-Ski Band |
Dave Keller Band |
Best Vermont Rock Climbing Route (Outdoor) |
Equinox |
Best Climbing Gym |
Petra Cliffs, Burlington |
Best Mountain Biking Trail Network |
Kingdom Trails, East Burke |
Best Stretch of Road for Road Riding |
VT Route 100 |
Best White Water |
Battenkill River |
Best Hiking Trail Network |
The Long Trail |
Best Bike Path |
Stowe bike path |
Best Fishing Hole |
None of your business! |
Best gym |
Fortitude Fitness Systems |
Outdoors Nonprofit With the Most Public Benefit |
Green Mountain Club |
Best Race Organizer |
Gary Kessler, Green Mt Stage Race |
Best Timing Company |
802 Timing |
Best Relay Running Race |
Vermont City Marathon, Burlington |
Best Ultra Running Race (>26.2 miles) |
Vermont 50 |
Best Running Race — Marathon or Half-Marathon |
Tie: Vermont City Marathon and Covered Bridges 1/2 marathon |
Best Running Race — 5 or 10K |
Leaf Peepers 5k, Waterbury |
Best Triathlon/Duathlon |
Vermont Sun Triathlons |
Best Swimming Race |
Kingdom Swim |
Best Nordic Race or Tour |
Craftsbury Ski marathon |
Best Road Biking Race or Tour |
Green Mountain Stage Race |
Best Mountain Biking Race or Tour |
Circum-Burke |
Best Century Ride |
Onion River Century Ride |
Best Multi-Sport Race |
Son of Inferno Pentathlon |
Best Obstacle Course Event |
Triple Bypass, XIP at Burke |
Best Backcountry/Tele/AT Ski Event |
Tele Fest at Mad River Glen |
Best White-Water Event |
no answers |
Best Snowshoe Event |
Snowshoe Romp, Onion River Sports |
Race With the Best Prizes |
Bypass series, XIP |
Race With the Best Crowd |
Vermont City Marathon |
Most Inspiring VT Athlete (Female) |
Susan Dunklee, Biathlete |
Most Inspiring VT Athlete (Male) |
Ben Warsler, Bootcamp trainer |
Best Personal Trainer |
Ben Warsler, Fortitude Fitness Systems |
Best Physical Therapist (Or Group) |
Ben McCormack, Northern Physical Therapy |
Best Orthopedist (Or Group) |
Mansfield Orthopedics |
Best Outdoor Writer |
Sarah Galbraith |
Best Outdoor Photographer |
Robert Jenks |
Your Pick For Vermont Outdoors Person of the Year |
Tristan Von Duntz |