 Poster: A snowHead
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Just back from 4 straight days of boarding in Whistler (14, 15, 16, 17). Basically, if you do not yet know where you're going for a holiday, I would not suggest Whistler, as you could almost certainly find better snow elsewhere. However, if you do have a vaction booked, all is not lost. The majority of the runs are open and well groomed, and the snowmaking is going full blast. It's not that there is no snow, but there is no new snow, so there are quite alot of icy patches. I lost my edge on ice quite a few times, so make sure your edges are good and sharp before heading out. On the bright side, the weather was beautiful - warm but not too warm (still always below freezing), very sunny, and not a cloud seen in the whole 4 days (that I can remember). Also, there is still powder to be found - but it generally involves tougher terrain and a bit of a hike. Spanky's Ladder on Blackcomb had cut-up but still nice powder. The Flute Bowl, though a 20-30 min hike in and a 10 min hike out, was fantastic - definitely my favourite part of the trip. I highly suggest giving Flute Bowl a try if you haven't yet. Some of the powder is untouched, but most is cut up - still great though, very deep and surfy. My friend also said that the Cirque on Whistler was great (I was nowhere near balsy/skilled enough to try this though - I really shouldn't even have been on Spanky's Ladder). Be warned though that the Cirque is only for experts - if you are not a very good skier/boarder you likely will hurt yourself and have a not very fun time. Also, getting to the start Spanky's can be a little scary - not something I would suggest if you are afraid of heights. I would suggest Flute bowl for everyone though - if you want a relaxed ride you can simply drop in before you get all the way up, and if you want exhileration you can drop of some very big cornices at the top of the bowl.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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johnnyrotten, while Spanky's is a bit scary to get to, the Cirque is a much more dangerous run (the Cirque has a super-steep, narrow, semi-icy chute). I would suggest Spanky's over the Cirque if you haven't done either. When you get off the Harmony (I think) lift, and head left over to Spanky's, make sure you stay as high as possible. I didn't do this and was forced to take off my snowboard and shimmy over quite precariously to the start of the "ladder." Also, from talking to friends who did both Spanky's and the Cirque on the trip, it sounds like Spanky's has significantly more powder.
But I would highly suggest Flute Bowl over either 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I loved Spanky's in Whistler, got enticed up there by the chalet girls. The hardest part about it is the climb up the ladder, once you're over in the bowls on the other side it's not too bad, and usually good quality powder.
Sad to hear that Whistler is still having a poor season.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Oooh stuarth, good luck with your Extremely, please let me know how you get on, who you have, etc. You'll have a blast, I'm sure. they are all quite potty!
Kramer, I agree, poor snow by whistler standards is still pretty darn good. 
27 sleeps, and counting...
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The route out to flute is as you said just past piccolo off burnt stew trail to the right, it takes about half an hour to get to the top of flute, the ski-out is more a ski out and walk up a bit back to near the end of burnt stew trail. Flute is now patrolled and avalanche controlled, still feels kind of out of the ski area boundary though
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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johnnyrotten, it's very easy to get to Flute - just follow Burnt Stew Trail until you see a massive wooden upside-down "U" you jus go through it and follow a well troden path to the bowl. The bottom of the bowl links up with Burnt Stew again, so it's easy to get out also.
Flute Bowl is quite popular, so you are not getting virgin powder. However, the powder is nice and deep despite being cut up. I found it very nice, especially when contrasted with icy runs
stuarth, yeah, I guess I meant Glacier Chair And the ski-out from Spanky's is easy, you hook up with a cat track at the bottom. However, this cat track is about 5 km I think. The whole Blackcomb Glacier has pretty decent powder.
Kramer, indeed, Spanky's is not particularly difficult if you are a decent powder skier. It does have some pretty steep bits, but they aren't chutes or anything scary like that.
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FAQ
. So fingers crossed for some new snow late next week.
)
