Tree well

This creates a void or area of loose snow below the branches and around the trunk that is dangerous to any hikers, snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers who fall into them.

If someone lands in such a well, often as a result of a fall, it can be too deep for them to climb up the surrounding loose snow before they are buried.

Making the situation more dangerous, they often fall into the well head-first and as the result of an accident which could leave them injured or unconscious.

In two experiments conducted in North America, 90% of volunteers temporarily placed in tree wells were unable to rescue themselves.

[1] In the United States, on average several skiers or snowboarders die each year from non-avalanche related snow immersion.