This past week there was a very informative story on NBC Montana about the importance of staying on the groomed runs - and as far away from tree wells as you can. The easiest way to avoid tree wells is to stay on groomed trails.
"If you ski too close to a tree well, you can fall in and get buried. Some tree wells can be 10 to 12 feet deep."
The story continued ... "If you are going to ski in the trees, there are a few things you can do to make sure you stay safe. Zoellner said to always ski with a partner, and try to stay within sight. Also, always have a plan
for where to meet up. That way, if one of you gets lost, ski patrol will know where to start looking. Next, carry a whistle, so you can alert someone if you get stuck. Also, be aware of snow conditions."
"If you do get stuck in a tree well, Zoellner explained, it's important to try to stay calm. Don't thrash around because that can cause you to pull more snow on top of you. Try to create an air pocket to breathe and
call for help. You can also try to use the branches to help get yourself out."