As snow starts to build up more and more at your favorite resort, now’s a good time to remember the dangers associated with tree wells. Tree wells are the voids created around the base of trees as snow gets deeper, creating a hazard for skiers and snowboarders that might fall into them.
When someone falls into a tree well, getting themselves out can be very difficult, and the traps can lead to snow immersion suffocation (SIS) and death. The snowboarder below was fortunate that his buddy was right next to him when he managed to fall into one of these wells at Crystal Mountain in Washington.
Let this be a reminder as to why skiing in trees alone is so dangerous. It’s nearly impossible to tell which trees might have a well around them and which ones do not, and most people will not be able to dig themselves out if they fall into one. These risks exist both in the backcountry and on many resorts, so ride with a friend!
The video below by Ski California takes a good look at the risks of snow immersion suffocation (SIS).