What is a Tree Well 

Who else is here after watching the Francis Zuber video of him saving a man who was in this situation?

ski patrol in Colorado for 8 years, you demonstrated what a tree well is perfect good job son.

I'm here because of the Francis Zuber video and this pretty much answers all my question as to how the guy ended up in that situation. Thank you this is very educational.

Something to add is that tree wells also tend to "suck" you in because the walls will collapse into the well. They're nasty, and certainly my second biggest fear behind avalanches.

As a child i flew head first into one, my skis caught on the branches and i was judt hanging there upside down, it was completely hollow

Goodness gracious I know it’s not my place to say but when free running snowboarding you should always go with someone and never alone💯

On a deep snow day, 1) don't ride or ski this close to trees, and 2) don't ride or ski alone. The best way to avoid a tree well is to avoid the tree.

I never knew here could be so dangerous! My buddies and I would always find the tree with a huge well underneath. We’d carve out little seats, hide our skis or board and hang out for a few. Smoke a blunt, laugh a few minutes and then hit the slopes again! Most of the tress we were in were much wider at the bottom than these seem!

In the spring, you’ll see huge wells that can go down to bare ground next to the tree, but the walls of packed snow around the tree can be many feet high depending on the base layer that year. One of the things that was so deceiving about this incident was the amount of fresh powder that made it hard to tell where the snowpack ended and the well started. The rescuer was so smart to put his skis as a brace or he could easily have gone in himself. Even if he fell in, the skis might be helpful to lift yourself out, sort of like quicksand.

Seems one could spare themselves a LOT of hassle by NOT trying to navigate through such thick tree stands. Course, this comes from an old ski bum who was used to 190cm skis. I love powder, but I have no use for risking my life for a few thrilling moments.

This made me so nervous. You must be pretty bad @$$ to be able to navigate through all the trees at such a speed. Be safe out there.

This seems so fkn dangerous, but more power to y’all!! It must be an awesome feeling.. I want to try snowboarding but I’ll stay out of the trees and on the bunny slope!!

Awesome video - had a lesson with you today thanks again!

This looks like a lot of fun! Minus the tree wells of course

My grandfather stationed in the Arden Forest during World War II took advantage of open tree wells as did the Germans. Similar to Surfers facing dangerous currents, winds and extreme waves. Wind and blowing snow drift also create unique conditions which some avoid while others Intentionally seek out Something more easily witnessed under open grown urban trees during spring melt... Is how a tree trunk's mass warmed by radiating sunlight. Commonly melts snow cover much quicker surrounding base of trunk, compared to over lawn or sidewalk. As this video points out. Branches growing radially out from trunk intercept falling snow before reaching ground. As they do during summer rain. Experts suspect this gives tree more control over rate of ground surface moisture. Lastly spruce & Pine Conifer trees utilize accumulation of shedding needles to prevent any understory plants, weeds or even new trees from growing within the Perimeter of drip line. Meaning no need to apply mulch, especially on top of dropped needles under tree types which already naturally mulch themselves.

I live in Florida and today I learned what a tree well is after watching that rescue vid. That is crazy scary I’ll take my chances with the sharks thanks

thank you for your explanation

>Always ride trees with a buddy and stay safe! Where is your buddy? 😹

Just watching this after Francis zuber saving video.

If you're going backcountry or off trail groomed runs, I advise you have an Avalung and any sort of radio device possible (including an avalanche radio). Also let others know where you're going.... ski patrol will look for you if you give them a heads up. I know it sounds like a 'pansy' move, but you'll be thankful when you're not dead.

"best day ever to last day ever"

Thanks Lew...

I spotted a well at trails edge, my cousin jabbed his pole into , it went easily all the way and it didn't bottom out.

Are tree wells as dangerous if there is a thaw? I know wet snow packs together more easily, but can you fall through that?

Bro your amazing boarder

turn from your best day ever to your last day ever is too true

I guess I’m wondering why you would even risk it? I suppose I understand that it’s fun and the adrenaline feels good, but is it worth possibly getting stuck and not making it? Watching after the viral rescue video.

I’m sitting here like don’t shake the tree!😳 that was dramatic enough!!

I’m a splitboarder in the northeast. This up close view of a real tree well scares me shirtless.

I had a friend dead in tree well 3yrs ago，those are really serious things

Great video, and yup you're a beast loved the footage, just enough too. Anyway, this is similar to tornadoes, lightning and natural happenings in nature for people if you learn about it but mostly when you experience them first-hand. You always hear people condemning "why would they stand under a tree in a lightning storm etc." because they don't have first hand experience with loads of lightning AND the different types of lighting strikes or occurrences as there are five diff ways lighting kills people. In a very recent natural happening, I had visited some friends out west and we all heard a tornado warning blasting over cel phone, as in a funnel cloud had been spotted in our immediate area. They looked outside and said 'look its hailing' I grabbed everyone and took them the the SW corner of the basement. Tornado followed. They didn't have a clue none zero. I have been through, seen and been in this situation over a dozen times in my lifetime. Seen three funnel clouds in one occurrence alone, It was a humbling experience for all of them, no one got hurt and no damage to the surrounding area. But, that's because it didn't happen with frequency nor had they, til then, experienced it.

Tree wells are one reason I don't ski trees much.

sweet style man

It generally looks like a dangerous sport. There are special slopes for skiing and snowboarding. This just seems to be too risky. If you don't die in this tree well, you can break your spine on a tree. Accidents happen and in this sport i see no room for small mistakes.

sick carving

Dude that's fire! Your good. Your quads must me burnin

Tight trees! Where is this located? Any tips if one was to land head first on a snowboard?

what part of the mountain is this, hitting Whistler on monday and want to taste this

What ski area is this?

Being from the desert I had to look this up 😂

good stuff

Edit the tree well only vid together for a good Learning clip.

Looks cool, but go with someone. Why would you want to risk your life, no matter how good you think you are.

snowboards should have emergency release buttons.

This is great information.

Crazy

general relatively predicted such gravity wells, known as " tree wells " to skiers, snowboarders and boardrats.

Which gopro bro ?

I'm surprised he didn't sink to the bottom with his massive balls of steal weighing him down.

damn this looks risky lol

you should be snowboarding with a buddy

smurfs story is inspired from this tragedy...look it up.

God I want to touch that snow so bad... The only snow I ever touched melted right when it hit the ground

Im here to be Educated

I don’t know why. You wouldn’t be found.

Bruh Earth just creates all kinds of ways to kill humans lol… or is it the humans?

Dangerous