Cheops - Nicci's + N Bowl

Pleasantly surprised by conditions in the Connaught Creek drainage today. Parking lot was quiet this Christmas morning. We headed up to Balu and passed a few others headed up that way as well. Boottop trailbreaking after Balu towards Cheops, evidence of wind effect on the ridgelines but little to no wind effect below ridgelines or in sheltered north aspects. Skied first down Nicci's Notch, no instabilities noted. Greaat sheltered powder. Went back up to Balu then up towards STS. Spent ~15 mins trying to dig out the large cornice that developed but belayer got very cold so we bailed. Skied down to the North Bowl and enjoyed soft turns back down. Saw a party booting up Christmas Couloir. Clouds pretty much all day, little to no solar input.