A skier died after falling into a tree well at Bridger Bowl Ski Area near Bozeman Tuesday.
Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol found a 21 year old skier unresponsive in a tree well shortly after the skier was reported missing Tuesday afternoon. A press release from Bridger Bowl says life saving attempts were not successful.
“On behalf of all of us at Bridger Bowl, I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the loved one lost in this tragic incident,” General Manager Bob Petitt said in the press release.
In Wyoming Monday, the Casper Star Tribune reported a tree well related fatality of a 27 year old snowboarder at Jackson Hole Ski Resort.
Deep powder after a snowstorm increases the risk of tree wells, which form when low branches prevent snow from filling in around the trunks of trees. If a skier or snowboarder falls headfirst into one of these hidden air pockets, they can sink deeper into the snow the more they struggle to get out.
Skiing or snowboarding with a partner and keeping them in sight is the most important way to stay safe, according to the National Ski Areas Association.
