Gothics

Straddling the northern Selkirks and Monashees, Gothics is reachable by road, roughly four hours from Kelowna by coach, private transfer, or your own vehicle. The lodge has a warm, easygoing feel and sits at the edge of one of the planet's few inland temperate rainforests.

Fast, back-to-back laps are the signature here. Bell 212 helicopters keep the tempo brisk, and the storm-fed snowpack, coastal in volume but drier in character, makes Gothics a favourite when the weather rolls in.

The tenure is among CMH's largest, splitting about 40 percent trees to 60 percent alpine. Runs below the treeline serve up glades, open glaciers, and dependable tree skiing, so low-visibility days stay productive.

Gothics is best for strong intermediate powder skiers and up, including experts. Mixed-ability groups can still work well on private trips, but first-timers without backcountry experience should build up elsewhere first.