Be tree well aware. When tree skiing try to keep an eye on partners or within “whooping” distance—tree wells may be lurking. Here are some practical steps to remain tree well aware.
Public service announcements; there’s a simple reason for them. Over time, we see recognizable patterns and try to make sense of them. Here’s what we know is certain.
One: Big powder storms bring out backcountry skiers.
Two: Big powder storms, over time, deposit deep pockets of snow in the backcountry.
Three: We seek out safer non-avalanche terrain during and just post-powder storms. This often means lower-angle tree skiing. Of course, the tenet of not hitting a tree is a good tenant, and wearing a helmet, too, stacks the odds in your favor if, by accident, that tenant is broken.
There’s another rule of tree ski skiing that came relatively late to my best-practices checklist: be tree well aware.
Ok. If you are tuning out, eyelids heavy, and thinking “here we go, another be safe out there,” PSA. If this is you, take the whole five minutes and watch this tree well video. All ends well in this Mt. Baker tree well incident. But, it is clear, it might not have. Note: the incident occurred March 3, 2023 in an out-of-bounds zone accessed via a chairlift.
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