Natural hazards such as tree wells occur within and outside the ski area boundary. Whistler Blackcomb would like to remind all guests to ski and ride with care, obey all mountain signage, and ski/ride with a partner or group.
A tree well is a hole or depression that forms around the base of a tree while snow accumulates. A tree well incident occurs when a person falls, head first, into an area of deep snow around the base of a tree and becomes immobilized.
The more the person struggles the more entrapped in the snow they become. The risks of a tree well accident or fatality can be reduced by following these basic practices:
- Always ski or ride with a partner.
- Keep your partner in sight and stay in visual contact so they can see you if you fall.
- Stay close enough to either pull or dig each other out.