Canadian Mountain Holidays

The skiing in the Gothics is as diverse as it gets. Since we access both the Northern Selkirks and the Monashees, we can boast excellent variety of terrain, ranging from tree skiing to open glaciers.

The Gothics is also home to the CMH Gay Heli-Ski Week. Join 33 other gay and lesbian skiers for an amazing week of skiing and events. Runs April 11-17, 2009.

When only one elevation or aspect offers good or safe skiing, the options for high pickups are numerous. And when conditions are stable, the options for our guests are limitless. The variety of terrain also positions Gothics as uniquely suited for skiing with groups of mixed abilities.

Gothics Lodge is named after the granite mountains whose steeple-like spires are reminiscent of Gothic cathedrals.

The Gothics are home to the longest named run in CMH tenure, Endless Journey, a 7500-vertical-foot odyssey from the top of a peak at the head of Horne Creek. The biggest possible ski run in CMH is lost in history with the recession of glaciers, but according to legend, at one time 8500-vertical-foot runs were skied in the Cariboos, and equally long runs are still possible. Today however, adventures down long descents are out of fashion, and fall lines are more important than exploration, so these long runs would be more of a ski tour than a fall-line ski run.

The Gothics is also home to the most famous run in CMH tenure, “Run of the Century.” While skiing Century is a feather in the cap of any heli-skier, the guides will tell you there are better runs in the area, like the mind-blowing “Downie Left,” which has a lesser name but a better fall line for much longer. Indeed, the Gothics are all about skiing on stunning features.

The skiing in the Gothics is as diverse as it gets. Roger Atkins, creator of the Snowbase database used by CMH to track snowpack, animal habitat and other mountain issues, says, “The real judge of a heli-ski area is the skiing that’s available in poor conditions.” In this sense, the Gothics is one of the best. When only one elevation or aspect offers good or safe skiing, the options for high pickups are numerous and it is easy for guides to find fun skiing away from the big features that can send avalanches running up the opposite side of the valleys. And when conditions are stable, the options are limitless. The vast ocean of the Ruddock Creek drainage alone could keep an army of heli-skiers busy for days. Undulating alpine terrain drops into friendly glades and ends with the huge tree run of Cougar's Milk. Even today in guide meetings, discussions of new runs are frequent and nearly every year new runs are added to the run list.

The area is versatile not only for times of poor stability, but also it is uniquely suited for skiing with groups of mixed abilities. Mellow lines suitable for weaker skiers can be found right alongside steep runs that will steam the goggles of the most skilled skiers. Big glacier runs with views of the impressive Gothics range are easy enough for neophyte powder skiers, and nearby, the powder pocket of Marshmallow is considered a favorite run among CMH staff, who find the numerous terrain features a playground for snowboard aerials.

From Bugaboo Dreams by Topher Donahue