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<p>Mike Miscavage attributes the longevity of his business not to luck but rather a tried-and-true sales approach.</p><p>At Top of the Slope, Miscavage puts the emphasis on treating his customers right.</p><p>That principle is part of the reason that the Wilkes-Barre shop has been in business since 1972, and it also contributed to Top of the Slope being named best ski shop in the 2017 Times Leader Readers&#8217; Choice Awards - the second year Miscavage has won the honor.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s important to treat my customers the right way, new and those who have been coming here a long time. I&#8217;m honored to be recognized, but I don&#8217;t strive to get an award for it,&#8221; Miscavage said. &#8220;It&#8217;s the way it should be.&#8221;</p><p>Top of the Slope was opened by Miscavage&#8217;s father, Edward, in 1972 and Mike took it over in the late 1980s. He never planned to take over the family business but was always around it, and taking over the reigns was just a natural progression for Miscavage.</p><p>It also helps that selling skis, snowboards and outdoor gear is a good fit for Miscavage, who cherishes his time outside.</p><p>Still, Miscavage admits some years can be tough for a business that is dependent on the weather. The winter of 2015-16 was trying, he said, and this winter was a little better.</p><p>Even with the recent heavy snowfall, Miscavage said the mild temperatures for most of February impacted skiing and snowboarding in the area.</p><p>&#8220;I wish this snow would&#8217;ve come three months earlier,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It got warm and people were thinking summer, and then we get the biggest snowfall in years.&#8221;</p><p>In order to avoid being solely dependent on winter sports, Miscavage also focuses on warm weather outdoor activities. In addition to skis and snowboards, Miscavage also stocks sleeping bags, tents, hiking boots, backpacks and rock climbing equipment. In addition, Miscavage also operates a rock climbing gym next door to Top of the Slope.</p><p>&#8220;It helps out,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We just got all this snow, and I had a guy come in to buy rock climbing gear.&#8221;</p><p>Still, Miscavage said skis, snowboards and winter gear is what has allowed Top of the Slope to survive and grow over the last 40-plus years. And with those activities, Miscavage has had to adapt to changes.</p><p>&#8220;Not that long ago snowboarders were switching to skiing. This year snowboard sales were just as strong as skis,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I guess people just wanted to switch after going sideways on a snowboard all the time it was nice to go forward on skis.&#8221;</p><p>While he has sports from all four seasons covered, Miscavage is always looking to expand what he offers. He recently purchased a mobile rock climbing wall that will be available to rent for parties and events.</p><p>But one thing that won&#8217;t change is Miscavage&#8217;s approach that the customer always comes first.</p><p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be here this long if I price-gouged,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I&#8217;m proud that this business has lasted as long as it has. I love it, I&#8217;ve been doing it all my life, and I&#8217;ll keep chugging along.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Top of the Slope won the Times Leader Readers&#8217; Choice Award for best ski shop. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL032017BestofTL-ski-shop1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Top of the Slope won the Times Leader Readers&#8217; Choice Award for best ski shop. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL032017BestofTL-ski-shop2-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Mike Miscavage, of Top of the Slope in Wilkes-Barre, says putting the customer first keeps his ski shop popular. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL032017BestofTL-ski-shop2-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Mike Miscavage, of Top of the Slope in Wilkes-Barre, says putting the customer first keeps his ski shop popular. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Tom Venesky</p><p>tvenesky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>Top of the Slope Ski Shop Inc.</p><p>100 S. Main Street in Wilkes-Barre</p><p>570-822-6627</p><p>Offers - skis, snowboards, winter apparell, backpacks, camping equipment and rock climbing gear</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TomVenesky</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Top of the Slope tops in winter sports for Wyoming Valley