Tree Well and Deep Snow Immersion Safety

Skiing and snowboarding off of the groomed runs and in deep powder snow is one of the most exciting and appealing parts of our sport.
If you decide to leave the groomed trails, you are voluntarily accepting the specific risks of falling into tree wells or deep snow and suffocating, however, fortunately these types of accidents are very preventable.
Each skier or snowboarder controls his or her own level of risk and are the only ones that can prevent this type of accident from happening. To minimize your risk, you must know how to travel safely with your partners in these ungroomed deep snow areas.
This personal safety information is intended to assist all skiers and riders in learning about the risks and prevention of tree well and deep snow immersion accidents. If you still have questions please contact your ski patrol.

A deep snow or tree well accident occurs when a rider or skier falls into an area of deep unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized. The more the person struggles the more entrapped in the snow they become.
If a partner is not there for immediate rescue, the skier or rider may die very quickly from suffocation - in many cases, they can die as quickly as someone can drown in water.
Deaths resulting from these kinds of accidents are referred to as a NARSID or Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Death.
The odds of surviving a deep snow immersion/NARSID accident are low; especially if you are not with a partner. In two experiments conducted in the U.S. and Canada in which volunteers were temporarily placed in a tree well, 90% COULD NOT rescue themselves.

% of Tree Wells & Deep Snow
involved in NARSID cases