Expert: Tree wells remain unsung hazard
Backcounty avalanches may get all the
press, but research shows inbounds deep snow immersion is equally
as likely to kill.
“The most dangerous part about tree
wells is that people continue to underestimate them,” Paul Baugher,
tree-well researcher and director of the Northwest Avalanche
Center, told the Pilot. “It’s always avalanches that people talk
about. They’re sexy and cool. We have got to get people’s attention
about tree wells.”
Tree wells are an open pit at the base
of an evergreen tree that grows deeper as the snowpack around the
tree rises. Accidents often happen in tree wells when a skier or
snowboarder falls headfirst into the pit or hits the tree and falls
in.
Baugher has researched tree wells since
the 1990s and his data shows that non-avalanche related snow
immersion deaths (NARSID) among skiers inbounds are equally as
likely as an avalanche-caused death is in the backcountry. This ski
season alone, along with Big Mountain’s two victims, two people
have died in tree wells at resorts and on guided tours in British
Columbia, and another in California.
Baugher says any ski area with deep
powder snow and coniferous trees is prone to tree well accidents,
but Whitefish Mountain Resort is nearing the top of the list with
five deaths total since 1978.
“Whitefish is right there,” he said.
“When the powder becomes steeper and deeper, you want to ski trees.
When you ski powder, it’s euphoric. You’re certainly not thinking
about tree wells. Deep powder is seductive.”
To curb the risk of NARSID, Baugher
says its imperative to ski with a partner and to keep that partner
in sight at all times.
“If you lose sight of your partner, you
could lose your friend,” he said. “It’s not OK to be two guys
skiing though trees, then you take this line, your friend takes
another and you hope to see each other at the lift. It’s when you
get to that point that it’s pretty much over.”
There isn’t any hard data on how long a
victim has once inverted in deep snow, but Baugher says, “It’s not
very long.” He’s seen reports of fatal accidents happening within
20 minutes of immersion.
If a skier feels like they are going to
fall in a tree well, Baugher suggests the skier should sprawl out
on the ground.”
“The inverted position is lethal,” he
said. “Flop out, just don’t go inverted.”
When skiing off-piste, Baugher says to
take all the precautions you would in the backcountry, a sentiment
Whitefish Mountain Resort ski patrol director Tary King agrees
with.
“I think you need to ski off-piste
similarly to how you ski backcountry or avalanche terrain,” King
said. “Have a plan in place and stick to it. Talk to each other
about how you are going to ski each run and stay close enough to
help your buddy if needed.”
King said that if a skier or
snowboarder goes missing, Ski Patrol should be called immediately
at 406-862-2940.
“It is better to err on the side of
caution,” King said. “Let us use our resources to help you find
your friend. I promise we won’t be upset if he or she turns up safe
and sound somewhere.”
Big Mountain is also taking action to
help curb further tragedy in the form of an expanded safety
program.
“We are developing a comprehensive
safety education program that will include signs, pamphlets and
videos,” resort spokesperson Donnie Clapp said. “It will address
tree wells, blind rollovers and skiing too fast.”
He says the program will be implemented
in near future.
Resort officials are urging anyone who
is planning to venture off of groomed trails, whether it may be
their first time or they have been skiing powder for years, to
visit www.TreeWellDeepSnowSafety.com before the next time they go
skiing or snowboarding.