Member of the Month

abjectwoe
May, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Tree wells

profile picture
brian0
Posts: 59 - Karma: 133
I was wondering if you can get out of a tree well by yourself? Going to Whistler next week and will be skiing by myself, they are posting on their website and Instagram about tree well risks and stay within your partners sight, kinda worries me. First time going to west coast as well.

**This thread was edited on Jan 17th 2019 at 12:54:54pm
7 years ago
9 1
profile picture
Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,689
Sure you could get yourself if you fall feet first and only a couple of feet down. I've been buried head-first, 5' down with enough snow to cover me completely...... so without my partner seeing the fall, I would've be toast.
7 years ago
9 0
profile picture
xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,185
Find a buddy and ski with him

Tree wells are scary asf

If you go solo buy a whistle, sure you look like a gaper but it could save your life
7 years ago
23 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Chawn2112I was wondering if you can get out of a tree well by yourself? Going to Whistler next week and will be skiing by myself, they are posting on their website and Instagram about tree well risks and stay within your partners sight, kinda worries me. First going to west coast as well.

Two deaths last season at Mt Bachelor from tree wells. Don't mess with them alone.
7 years ago
20 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52637 - Karma: 174,778
Rolled up on a lid in a tree well last year. We got 7 feet of snow in 2 or 3 days and 11 feet that week. A guy that got there right before me pulled him out as I was unstapping. Kid threw up a few times. Was head first in. Scary shit. Wasn't in the highest traffic area could have gone really wrong.

Was riding solo because lap after my grave shift. Luckily now have plenty of people to cruise with.

You can ride trees alone but if you get stuck head first in a tree well, nobody will know youre there and youre just hoping some body will find you. You can look up the locations of somefatalities and its sometimes charlie brown Christmas tree types. Shit that doesnt even look dangerous.

Be careful have fun
7 years ago
9 0
profile picture
skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7972 - Karma: 23,272
Find a riding buddy if you're skiing near tree wells. Plenty of NSers in Whis who I'm sure would ski with you. Having a whistle on you somewhere you can reach it isn't a bad call either, so you can signal if you need help.
7 years ago
9 0
profile picture
f100prerunner
Posts: 504 - Karma: 1,313
Skiing by yourself in trees with lots of fresh snow = bad idea
7 years ago
8 0
profile picture
iskeaah
Posts: 248 - Karma: 762
there is plenty of skiing away from trees, just stay safe wear whistle and beacon.
7 years ago
7 0
profile picture
OregonDead
Posts: 7080 - Karma: 26,672
Be careful. It's early and things are really unconsolidated. You gotta stay safe and do your own risk management. Anytime you are alone skiing or not something could go wrong that a partner could assist you with. If you are with a partner remember that you are kinda on your own anyways. If partner is downhill and not watching you could disappear and they'd never know even if they aren't very far. Or if your partner is uphill and loses site and doesn't follow you exactly then it's like "where did you go".
Carrying a whistle is a good idea in case you are stuck and can't get out but can breath. A whistle is probably a good idea even if the wells aren't dangerous because if you just break yourself and it's windy the patrol might not hear you even if you are lying there yelling just off the run.
7 years ago
5 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52637 - Karma: 174,778
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/917769/Dj-Alligator-Project-Blow-My-Whistle-Bitch I couldn't help myself but honestly I try and always ride with a whistle these days. Always hike with one of those compass/whistle combo deals on my pack too. I do some longer hikes, and prefer ones where nobody is around, and sometimes at shittier times of the year. If it's a high around 40 you don't wanna get stuck outside on a day hike really. A whistle can be heard wayyy farther than your voice, and that shrill sound makes people listen.

As a few people mentioned not a bad thing to have. Youll probably never use it, but why not have one?
7 years ago
3 0
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13237 - Karma: 20,478
tree wells should be in the back of your mind. I will also mention tree bombs go hand in hand with tree wells. Tree bombs can be massive as fuck.
7 years ago
3 1
profile picture
Vitiligo
Posts: 535 - Karma: 1,126
Like everyone is saying, do not ski the trees alone with how much new snow they have. Even with them in the back of your mind you can always get tripped up and fly into a tree well head first. Then you're a goner. Find a buddy or at least have a whistle on you and dont go too deep into the trees so incase you do get stuck someone is more likely to hear a whistle.
7 years ago
4 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Phones and whistles won't do you any good cus you won't be able to get to them.
7 years ago
4 3
profile picture
LineSkier
Posts: 243 - Karma: 446
DominatorJacquesPhones and whistles won't do you any good cus you won't be able to get to them.


Or blow/talk into them because you're suffocating.
7 years ago
4 0
profile picture
xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,185
LineSkierOr blow/talk into them because you're suffocating.


SMH if you're in a tree we'll you may as well just lay down and rot
7 years ago
4 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52637 - Karma: 174,778
DominatorJacquesPhones and whistles won't do you any good cus you won't be able to get to them.


Nobody was suggesting if you're head first in a treewell you can blow a whistle. Everybody suggested riding with a friend. Riding with a whistle is great though. Not a reason to be an idiot but it can help. Plenty of people eat shit riding alone and get stuck for a while before people find them.
7 years ago
4 2
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
LineSkierOr blow/talk into them because you're suffocating.


Sad, but true.
7 years ago
0 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
theabortionatorNobody was suggesting if you're head first in a treewell you can blow a whistle. Everybody suggested riding with a friend. Riding with a whistle is great though. Not a reason to be an idiot but it can help. Plenty of people eat shit riding alone and get stuck for a while before people find them.


Truth. It is very good to carry a whistle. If you are not in a well, and hurt out in the trees, it can be a huge plus.
I just use my lips. I figure if they don't work, I won't be able to blow on one either. ;-)
7 years ago
1 1
profile picture
HypeBeast
Posts: 10094 - Karma: 76,702
DominatorJacquesPhones and whistles won't do you any good cus you won't be able to get to them.

Tree wells scare the piss outta me but I disagree partially with this statement. The more resources the better.

Attach the whistle to your backpack strap. Totally accessible unless your hands are somehow immoble. Also many packs have built in whistles on the chest strap.

I agree on phones. Gonna be difficult to get to and if you did get to it, there's no telling if it will be dead or if you've got service. Although, rocking headphones (assuming they don't get ripped out), "OK Google, call 911" could work. There was a story about a snowboarder a few years ago who managed to call ski patrol and they came and dug him out. Totally lucky though since air doesn't last long.

Anyone have thoughts about avalung? They kinda seem perfect for tree wells to give you a little more time to get dug out before suffocating.

OP definitely don't ride alone. There's probably always someone on the lift or nearby who you can tag along with in the trees if you so desire. It's nearly impossible to free yourself if you fall headfirst into a tree well which is most likely the way you would fall.

Here ya go OP: http://www.deepsnowsafety.org/
7 years ago
3 0
profile picture
The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
I am going out to utah to ski the cottonwoods in a couple of weeks. Are tree wells a concern there because the snow has came gradually and not in one giant dunp like Whistler. I will be skiing alone unless somebody on here wants to meet up between the 27th and 29th
7 years ago
2 0
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12709 - Karma: 120,141
The.FishI am going out to utah to ski the cottonwoods in a couple of weeks. Are tree wells a concern there because the snow has came gradually and not in one giant dunp like Whistler. I will be skiing alone unless somebody on here wants to meet up between the 27th and 29th


you'll prob be fine unless tis been dumping in utah
7 years ago
1 0
profile picture
ajerrywithstyle
Posts: 34 - Karma: 118
Tree wells scare the shit out of me.avalungs are also a good idea. They’ll give you some extra time to be rescued.

**This post was edited on Dec 15th 2018 at 1:55:18pm
7 years ago
2 0
profile picture
cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,136
I ski alone at whistler lots and don’t get in the trees, but there is more than enough terrain without trees. So don’t worry op, avoiding tree runs really isn’t that big of a sacrifice
7 years ago
1 1
profile picture
HypeBeast
Posts: 10094 - Karma: 76,702
Can't tell if this is just a major tree well with the entire tree under the snow or just a gaping hole, but ggddsaammnnn....of course they don't have shovelshttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/917859/Snowboarders-lucky-escape-caught-on-2-GoPro-s
7 years ago
2 0
profile picture
jamsandwich
Posts: 42 - Karma: 131
Whistler had a near death accident involving a tree well two days ago. Stay within sight of your partner if you are skiing trees on high danger days. Person had a partner but not in sight and on that day the snow was so deep if you were 50 ft downhill you couldnt get back up in time. Luckily someone saw a ski and revived the person. Be careful out there
7 years ago
4 0
profile picture
Chunderface
Posts: 2565 - Karma: 10,049
Head first into a tree well, bottom line...you're fucked.
7 years ago
2 2
profile picture
brian0
Posts: 59 - Karma: 133
I'd be cool if anyone can ski with me, I will be skiing there from December 19 to 25th, PM me if you r interested. Thx
7 years ago
4 0
profile picture
Govygen_gourmet
Posts: 380 - Karma: -477
DominatorJacquesTwo deaths last season at Mt Bachelor from tree wells. Don't mess with them alone.


Scary shit to know that I skied the same treeeees and went to the same spots those that died did. It could happen to anyone :(
7 years ago
4 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Govygen_gourmetScary shit to know that I skied the same treeeees and went to the same spots those that died did. It could happen to anyone :(


Yes it could, even the most expert skiers in the world. Always use the buddy system.
If you go out with someone and they go out of sight, they are not being a "good buddy"! That could mean either of your lives.
7 years ago
0 0
profile picture
brian0
Posts: 59 - Karma: 133
Mmm can't seem to find a buddy, whatever what are the chances
7 years ago
0 2
profile picture
DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,897
Chawn2112Mmm can't seem to find a buddy, whatever what are the chances


Don't sweat it. There were a few threads looking for a local to show them around. They were willing to pay anyone that spoke up. It took a good while for the threads to find the right people.

Whistler is monstrous and I would argue that its not known for its tree skiing. It literally takes two days to explore the entire area. Stay out of the trees until you meet some chill dudes on the lift.
7 years ago
3 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52637 - Karma: 174,778
runforlove2018Can't tell if this is just a major tree well with the entire tree under the snow or just a gaping hole, but ggddsaammnnn....of course they don't have shovelshttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/917859/Snowboarders-lucky-escape-caught-on-2-GoPro-s


Step 1: When assisting friend make sure to keep good angle with selfie stick
7 years ago
6 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
theabortionatorStep 1: When assisting friend make sure to keep good angle with selfie stick


Knarly fumarole! Those be all over Mt Bachelor!
7 years ago
1 0
profile picture
HypeBeast
Posts: 10094 - Karma: 76,702
DominatorJacquesKnarly fumarole! Those be all over Mt Bachelor!


So basically what you're saying is avoid tree wells only to fall into a portal to third dimension
7 years ago
2 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
runforlove2018So basically what you're saying is avoid tree wells only to fall into a portal to third dimension


No, never said it. I do think the buddy system is the way to go anywhere off of regular grommed trails.
At Bachelor you must have a partner or more to use the backside when open. Trees don't start until way down there.

Anyway the OP asked about tree well, not fumarole's.
7 years ago
0 0
profile picture
souljaboyfan2006
Posts: 218 - Karma: 1,893
The.FishI am going out to utah to ski the cottonwoods in a couple of weeks. Are tree wells a concern there because the snow has came gradually and not in one giant dunp like Whistler. I will be skiing alone unless somebody on here wants to meet up between the 27th and 29th


You'll probably fine, it hasn't been dumping a ton lately but then again it can't hurt to be careful. If you're gonna be at Alta at all I'd be down to catch some laps if you're chill with skiing with jerries who can barely 3 or flip
7 years ago
3 0
profile picture
The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
danny420You'll probably fine, it hasn't been dumping a ton lately but then again it can't hurt to be careful. If you're gonna be at Alta at all I'd be down to catch some laps if you're chill with skiing with jerries who can barely 3 or flip


Sounds like my kind of skill level. Ill be there the 27th-29th
7 years ago
2 0
profile picture
brian0
Posts: 59 - Karma: 133
so sad i didnt get to die in whistler, now im all misrable back in school.
6 years ago
3 1
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12709 - Karma: 120,141
Chawn2112so sad i didnt get to die in whistler, now im all misrable back in school.


/r/meirl
6 years ago
1 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 9:32PM