Top employers in the Columbia Valley

Find out which companies have brought the most jobs to this Kootenay region

Logan Shellborn raises her board to the friendly skies on full display at Panorama Mountain Resort. — Kerry Shellborn photo

Many people would love to live in the Columbia Valley - and for most, finding work there is a necessary step toward living that dream. Here are the top employers in the region based on the number of jobs they created.

1) Canfor

Canfor is a world leader in the production of sustainable lumber, pulp and paper. They have a location in Radium Hot Springs, which has provided excellent employment opportunities for Columbia Valley residents.

• Number of employees: 971
• Tour information: Contact Canfor at [email protected] or 604-661-5241 if you're interested in touring the facility.
• Job seekers page

2) School District No. 6

School District No. 6, (also known as the Rocky Mountain School District), encompasses several communities, including Invermere, Kimberley and Golden. There are a variety of jobs offered within the district, such as teaching positions, administrative roles and janitorial.

• Number of employees: 586
• Job seekers resource: If you are interested in a career with School District No. 6, call the District Administration Office at 250-342-9243 for more information.

3) Panorama Mountain Resort (winter)

This intimate mountain resort village offers skiing and other outdoor recreation opportunities, hot pools, a spa, restaurants, shops and more. There is always something going on here, with events and activities scheduled throughout the season.

• Number of employees: 500
• Tour information: The best way to "tour" Panorama Mountain Resort is to go there as a guest and enjoy the activities firsthand. Or, take a virtual tour of the on-site amenities, and see why this is a great place to work and stay.
• Job seekers page

4) Kicking Horse Coffee

One of the most well-known companies in Invermere is Kicking Horse Coffee. Producing organic, delicious, fair trade coffee is just one benefit to working there - the business also has a strong corporate culture and promotes sustainability and ethics in its practices.

• Number of employees: 250
• Tour information: Call 1-888-287-5282 to arrange a tour.
• Job seekers page

5) New Dawn Developments Ltd.

Offering custom building design and construction, New Dawn Developments has made a name for itself in the Columbia Valley. If you have experience in the field, you may be the next new addition to the New Dawn team.

• Number of employees: 60
• Job seekers page

6) Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd.

Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd. is situated on 43 acres just north of Radium Hot Springs. It also has production yards in Sundre, Alberta, and Nakusp, B.C.

The company is considered a major Canadian pole producer, and since 1989 it's been supplying CCA and CCA-PEGtm treated wood poles to western utilities and communications businesses.

• Number of employees: 39
• Tour information: Call 780-693-2182 to ask about arranging a tour.
• For potential career information, contact Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd. directly.

7) Canadian Timberframes Ltd.

Located in Golden, B.C., Canadian Timberframes Ltd. has a shining reputation for manufacturing and supplying timber frame structures and components. The company has a sprawling 24-acre yard with two on-site sawmills and more than a million board feet of log/timber inventory. The best logs are chosen and processed in the 20,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, and then the finishing department applies any necessary texturing, pre-staining or other treatments before packaging. Canadian Timberframes has become a leader in the Industry across North America, and services both Canada and the entire U.S.A.

• Number of employees: 38
• Tour information: Call 250-348-2231 to ask about arranging a tour.
• Job seekers page