Kumsheen River Rafting

Number of employees: 55
Head office: Lytton
Quote: “Most organized company I’ve worked for. All employees here are amazing people. We’re all family. After-work
activities are endless”

If my company were a celebrity, it would be: ANGELINA JOLIE
“She’s adventurous, extreme and always looking for ways to improve situations”

Kumsheen Rafting Resort overlooks the churning Thompson River, which has rapids with such names as Jaws of Death and Witch’s Cauldron. “I wake up, I ride the river and then I go to work. It doesn’t get any better than that. PS: Did I mention it’s 35 to 40 degrees every day?” That response to the question, “Describe why your company is the best to work for in B.C.,” sums up the best fringe benefit offered by the upscale yet rustic Lytton-area resort. There’s also the family discount, epic overnight river rafting trips and loyalty to returning staff. Owner Lorna Fandrich avoided layoffs during a July slowdown by forgoing some capital improvements and shortening the work week. Fandrich has been known to pitch in and paint picnic tables or wash dishes, a spirit of co-operation shared by employees at the 36-year-old company: “River guides help in the dish pit, campground staff program computers and restaurant staff help in the office.”