Fernie Steve Kuijt
Coming to work every day is easy when you love your job as much as Steve Kuijt loves his
| Name: | Steve Kuijt |
| Business: | Island Lake Lodge |
| Year in business: | 4 |
| Grew up in: | Lethbridge, Alberta |
| Downtime activities: | Skiing, windsailing, boating, spending time with family |
Steve Kuijt admits that becoming the operations manager of Island Lake Lodge near Fernie was more a result of a natural progression than design. A self-described ski bum, Kuijt has been able to turn his passion for being outdoors and his love of Island Lake Lodge’s natural surroundings into a career in which he sometimes has to remind himself that he’s actually working.
“It often amazes me that I’m in the position I’m in,” said Kuijt. “It’s a story of doing what you love to do and trying to do a good job of it all the time.”
Kuijt has always enjoyed outdoor pursuits and worked at several jobs that allowed him to be outside—from park ranger to snowcat driver and ski guide. He worked with several ski touring operations throughout B.C. and New Zealand, but always came back to Fernie and to Island Lake Lodge.
“I was growing and it was growing,” he said. “I had more to add and it had more to do and we both kind of expanded.”
Kuijt said the resort is a special place. The location keeps calling him back, and he said the same is true for the staff and visitors. There is an inspirational quality to Island Lake Lodge, said Kuijt, and his attachment to the surroundings inspire him to bring his best to the job—as does his thorough enjoyment of what he does.
“You’ve got to have fun,” said Kuijt, “and if you are, it’s only going to get better and better. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you need to find something new to do.”
Photo courtesy Steve Kuijt
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