The BC Coast Mountains and the Purcells-Selkirks of SE BC will match or usually beat ANY place in North America. I have friends from NZ here and they are awestruck by how tough, wet, cold and steep the country is.

I have spent my life in BC's and Alberta's mountains, alone for months on end without breaks and in temps to -40; NZ is not nearly as harsh and rescue is much closer if you get into the schitt.

Whatever, mountains are all good, could not imagine living in "flat" country.