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Ski Patrollers Stress Importance of Tree Well Safety Ahead of Crazy Storm
Photo: Karl Weatherly/Getty Images

There's snow in the forecast for most of the western US, a LOT of snow. 

Places in California are bracing for possibilities of 50-60 inches, with some outlets forecasting nearly 100 inches of snowfall throughout the week.

The Northern Rockies, which includes mountains like Jackson Hole, Grand Targhee, Whitefish, and Sun Valley are looking at totals between six and almost 50 inches of snow. Snow will also return to the pacific northwest after a long, dry January. Forecasted storm totals across the PNW range from 16 to 47 inches, with Washington and Oregon favored for precipitation. 

Unfortunately, with heavy snowfall also comes increased hazards whether you're skiing in the backcountry or in-bounds. Patrollers at Schweitzer Mountain in Idaho, which is forecasted to potentially receive almost 30" of snow from the storm, posted a video to social media reminding guests of a few key safety tips for these big storms.

Tap or click to watch their tree well safety demonstration in the video below.

One of the bigger hazards of in-bounds skiing during storms are tree wells.

During storms, snow collects on a tree's branches, but doesn't fill in the space around the trunk, creating a pit that can be feet deep. Falling into these pits, or wells, can be very dangerous. Snow from the tree can slough off if the tree is hit, burying you and posing risk for suffocation within the tree well. 

The best things you can do to stay safe is to ski with a partner and keep each other within view. If you do end up in a tree well, the best thing to do is remain calm, and try not to struggle. Struggling or panicking can lead to falling deeper in the well.

If you find someone stuck in a tree well, you never want to come at them from above, which could push more snow onto them. Instead, approach and dig them out from an angle, prioritizing freeing their airway from any snow burial. Don't hesitate to call ski patrol either, they're equipped with tools that can make rescue easier and more successful and can treat any injuries. 

Most mountains also have safety briefings about tree well hazards on their websites and around the resorts with tips on how to stay safe. US resorts saw multiple tree well deaths last year in Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington.

Whoever came up with the 'no friends on a powder day' saying had clearly forgotten about tree well safety...

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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