Cakehole (Whistler SW

Riding quality was:

OK

Snow conditions were:

• Crusty
• Deep powder
• Powder
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Alpine slopes
• Open trees
• Sunny slopes

We stayed away from:

• Convex slopes
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Cold
• Sunny

Avalanche conditions

• Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.
• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Investigating yesterday's storm/wind event with mod to strong N winds and dropping temps. SW alpine slopes show wide variety of surfaces and the effects of strong downslope winds. Sfc varied from supportive windcrust to 45cm ski pen, often with sharp dividing lines. Wind slabs from 4F to 1F+ density, often over lower density snow. 171215 mfc down up to 85cm in places.

Sz 2 avalanche susp controlled from inside ski area boundary with var crown depth over shallow, rocky terrain with mfc at about 2150m ran to 1850m and deposited to 2.5m deep, entraining more snow at midpoint as it rolled over a convexity. Crown depth at this midpoint from 20-55cm and linking lots of small trees and rocks.

For the most part, ski quality would be ranked as "character building" until in tighter trees.