"Treewells are dangerous due to snow-immersion suffocation (SIS). A treewell forms when snow accumulates around the base of a tree, but not under the lower branches or around the trunk. This results in a hole forming around the base of the tree, which gets progressively deeper as the snowpack height increases. Often times, a skier will fall and wind up head first down a treewell."
"Most treewell/SIS accidents have happened during or just after big snow storms or storm cycles. In general terms, the more fresh snow, the higher the risk. If there is snow on the tree branches, the skier's fall and contact with the tree will often cause the snow to fall down on top of the skier and bury them in the hole. This snow, much like an avalanche, can trap the skier and leave them without fresh air to breathe, thus leading to suffocation."
Treewells are voids that form around the base of trees when snow accumulates beneath lower branches but not around the trunk, creating concealed holes that deepen as the snowpack increases. A skier or snowboarder can fall head-first into a treewell and become buried when snow from the branches or surrounding powder collapses on top, causing snow-immersion suffocation (SIS). Treewells occur in both backcountry and inbounds terrain, especially during or after heavy storms, with more fresh snow increasing the risk. There is no reliable way to visually identify a dangerous treewell, so all trees should be treated as hazardous and skiing with a buddy is essential.
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