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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1510895
snow, you name it. "As long as there's been skiing on Grouse Mountain, there has been a volunteer ski patrol," she says. Volunteers are often the first responders in a cri- sis—like when Best arrived to help someone who had broken their skis and boot on one of the top runs on the mountain. "How do you help this person on a very steep slope that a snowmo- bile can't get to, but they took their boot off, and it's broken?" she says. "The boot was not great, but I tensor-bandaged it to hold it in place long enough, and then the person slid down on their bum while I held their skis. And when we got to a certain part, we had a snowmobile come and get them." Outside of patrolling, Best skis an additional 10 times a year. She wishes she could do it more, but she's pressed for time as she completes an MSc from the University of Illinois (remotely) and leads hu- man resources at North Vancouver-based BlueShore Financial credit union. Best came into her role at BlueShore last year, after 10 years as the head of HR at investment banking com- pany Raymond James. "I was thrilled to rejoin [Blue- Shore]," she says, referring to a brief stint she had there as an HR advisor in 1994. "I've been a champion for flexible work since the mid-'90s, including remote work, flexible retirement and flexible benefits. In each organization I've worked with, I've brought forward practices that are cost-effective yet have high employee value—win-wins." A desire to help people runs through many of the positions Best has held in her life: Girl Guide leader, HR manager, ski patrol- ler. And Grouse Mountain earned a special place in her heart as it watched her grow along the way: from a novice skier to a regular patroller, and from a newly married professional to a mother of two young adults. "One time I took my daughter night skiing when she was eight years old," says Best. "I explained to her on the drive up that my version of heaven on earth is the joy of skiing togeth- er... As we skied the Cut, she found a jump along the run and lit up with excite- ment. As she skied past me, I heard her yell back, 'I un- derstand what you mean, Mom, this is like heaven on earth!'" £ A F T E R HO U R S FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM: DEER LAKE GALLERY; OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL CANADA ■ LOCAL LOVE Vancouver-based Shop Makers not only has aesthetic appeal, it also has nearly everything on your holiday shopping list, from local candles that smell like a Tofino storm to handcrafted maple leaf earrings. All sales go directly to the artisans. ■ PLAY TIME Funktional, a Kelowna maker store, is all about whimsy. Opened in 2001 by Chantal Couture, the shop sells handcrafted mugs, funky hair accessories and more—plus, it has succulents hanging out in every corner. There's also an online shop where you can buy your favourite Canadian goodies 24/7. ■ FUNNY BUSINESS Cultured Coast is the place to purchase your cheeky home goods and incredibly suggestive banana stickers. The Nanaimo shop supports over 100 Canadian small businesses, with an emphasis on the quirkiest of handmade items (think Steve Carell on a Christmas card). £ ON T R E N D RETAIL, RE-ENVISIONED These B.C. makers provide a haven for handmade goods by local artisans—bookmark this list for holiday shopping by Megan Zolorycki 74 BCBUSINESS.CA NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 ELKIN' AROUND The Deer Lake Winter Festival is back at Burnaby's Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Shop from over 40 artisans at this seasonal market, from glass blowers, sculptors and jewellers to jam makers. The family-friendly winter shopping experience is free and features entertainment from local performers. From November 24 to 26. deerlakegallery.ca SEA THE SCREEN For the first time in its 10 years of existence, the Ocean Film Festival takes its talents to Canada. The two- and-a-half-hour program showcasing films from independent filmmakers worldwide has been hosted in countries across the world and this year it comes to North Vancouver's Centennial Theatre on November 9. Tickets are $28. oceanfilmfestivalcanada.ca