Schweitzer Ski Patrol demonstrate the dangers of tree wells.
Schweitzer Ski Patrol demonstrate the dangers of tree wells.

As we get deeper and deeper into the ski season and snowpacks built up more and more, it’s important to remember the potential dangers created by the conditions. Avalanches are the blatantly obvious one, but you usually don’t have to stress too much about those while skiing or snowboarding on resorts (at least in North America). But tree wells can be an issue anywhere that you’re skiing in trees, on resort or not.

Schweitzer Mountain provided a quick safety talk about the dangers of tree wells with ski patrollers Kim and Ted. Earlier this month at Schweitzer, a 72-year-old snowboarder died in a tree well, making this message all the more topical.

Kim and Ted provided three major tips throughout the video. First of all, ski with a partner, especially if you’re going into the trees. Keep runs short, and make sure you can keep an eye on each other. Skiing a run one at a time, stopping to watch each other is a great way to make sure nobody gets stuck and left behind.

Secondly, they discuss the importance of remaining calm if you do fall into a tree well. Panicking, moving around, and struggling is likely to cause you to fall further into the well, rather than getting you out. Finally they mention helping those who fall into a tree well from below, making sure not to push more snow into the well on top of the stuck skier, snowboarder, or recreator.

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