Wind Drifts on Top of Weak Snow

Since Buttermilk is closed for the season we decided to park in town and ride for 20 min. Dave had a large collapse that he heard and felt in a meadow at 8,200 feet. On a NE facing slope off Lionhead Ridge we found 135 cm of snow which was basically 2 layers: 1.5’ of facets capped by a 2.5’ wind slab. It broke with a ECTP26. Structure was not great, and coupled with the whumpf we would not feel comfortable getting into avalanche terrain.