A Life-Changing Ski Adventure

Struggling with exhaustion, I attempted to hoist myself up out of deep snow after a fall. Beads of sweat dripped down my face as I spotted my guide, Kris Robinson, waiting patiently below. Unable to muster more strength, I sank down and took a moment to absorb the vastness of Canada’s Columbia Mountains. Then I radioed Kris for help. “Cross your poles on your inside ski,” he said. It worked, and it was advice that I won’t soon forget.

This felt like a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me. I’d never backcountry skied in British Columbia before; usually my time outdoors means cycling, hiking, or skiing near Boulder, Colorado, where I live. Yet here I was in the heart of the northern Selkirk and Monashee Mountains, where snowcapped peaks meet untouched powder, staying at the Gothics Lodge, on a trip in March with CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures.

For a backcountry destination, the lodge is relatively easy to reach. It’s located an hour north of Revelstoke, an old mining town and dream outpost for diehard skiers known for its spectacular alpine terrain and abundant precipitation.

I’d been invited to join a group of other outdoor-industry people for a four-day heli-skiing experience. “The Gothics is one of the CMH’s most approachable and welcoming destinations,” Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company—which owns CMH—told us. “Like all our lodge staff, the Gothics team makes you feel completely comfortable, by guiding you from the moment you arrive to the day you depart.” Jared said this trip would be a combination of training and incredible skiing that would lead to impactful experiences. He was right.

Our group counted just over 30 people, including athletes and innovators, some familiar faces, and others I was meeting for the first time. I was a backcountry novice compared to the likes of Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, actress Nina Dobrev, Olympic skier Nina O’Brien, former professional skier Drew Duffy, snowboarder Kimmy Fasani, freeskier and artist Chris Benchetler (Fasani’s husband), and Jesse White, Shaun’s brother and a creative-brand director.

The first thing I noticed upon arrival was a fleet of fat bikes and cross-country skis, a hint of the adventures ahead. Each day we’d wake at 7 A.M. for different activities. Day one was dedicated to training and preparation for handling backcountry powder, including avalanche safety sessions, helicopter familiarization, radio operation, and equipment adjustments by Pontus Carlsson, a ski tech from Sweden, who made sure we were ready.

That afternoon, in thick fog and stormy conditions, our guides led us through tree runs and gladed slopes. Justin Clarke was my patient tail guide. After a few falls and unclipped skis hidden under the snow, I began to find my balance and remembered that powder is soft. I also learned how to stay away from tree wells, which can swallow a skier, and that I should’ve worn bright clothing to make it easier for Justin to find me.

One of the things that can make or break a trip is the team in place. At Gothics, we were looked after by the best in the business, including longtime CMH guide and assistant area manager Pete Murray and his group of skilled guides. The rest of the lodge staff welcomed us with warmth that set the tone for days to come, led by Brittany Johnston, Laoise O’Neill, and Alan Fraiser, a native of Scotland, who was in his first year with CMH as the new director of hospitality.

The terrain the group covered the morning of day two. Powered by Trailforks.com

Evenings at the lodge were a mix of relaxation, camaraderie, and delicious food—and a nice respite for my burning quads. One night, CMH president and COO Rob Rohn told us about his start as an apprentice ski guide in 1984, working alongside CMH founder Hans Gmoser. Rohn has been with CMH for 37 years, and the company now offers trips in ten other B.C. locations in addition to the Gothic Lodge, as well as heli-hiking in summer. All told, CMH has access to three million acres of terrain, with over 750 square miles at Gothics alone.

After a snowy night, on day two we stayed on lower slopes and within the trees to mitigate avalanche risk. Helicopter pilots Blaze Oliver, Rich Fries, and Michael Beran took us to remote locations with spectacular views. On board, we were encouraged to drink “heli juice”—an electrolyte concoction to keep us hydrated. Stepping out of a helicopter at the top of a mountain, with no one to rely on but your guides and your group, gave me a sense of fear and awe.

On day three we went up higher to the Liberty plateau. The skiing was beautiful and rigorous, and we covered a large amount of terrain over three days, skiing almost 60,000 vertical feet.