Dangers of tree wells increase with warming weather

Mar 14, 2018 | 3:17 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Tree wells are particularly dangerous as temperatures warm up in springtime according to survivalist Bruce Zawalsky.

With skiers and snowboarders still hitting the slopes, the danger of falling into a tree well is increased due to the tree trunk heating up and melting the surrounding snow. 

“Plus, because the tree has a canopy of branches, especially the big evergreens, it will hold a lot more snow and so there is a lot less snow on the bottom,” says Zawalsky. 

On Feb. 26, a Vancouver man died near Keefer Lake Lodge in B.C.’s North Okanagan. The skier became separated from his group during a cat-skiing tour and was found unconscious in a tree well.