Vermilion conditions

Skied below treeline on slide paths around Vermilion peak. Started the morning skinning up the slide path south of the main slide path on some misguided notion there would be nice skiing. Found good snow, but challenging travel with deadfall and thick new growth in the burn. 20-30cm of fist fresh snow on top of a supportive midpack becoming firmer with depth. Looked in open areas of the burn and slide path for surface hoar, but didn't spot much. In the afternoon we lapped the lower 300m of the Vermilion slide path where ~30cm of new snow covers old size 3 avalanche debris. Slightly chunky skiing in places, but generally good powder skiing. Sun, cloud and trace snow throughout the day, temps stayed around -5, light winds.