With 20-100 inches of snow forecasted across the west, ski patrollers from Schweitzer Mountain remind us that tree wells can pose significant hazards.

A tree well is an area of loose snow around a tree trunk that can pose a risk to outdoor winter adventures, according to Adventure Smart. Without help, people may suffocate once they become ...

extending upward or outward from the base of a tree. It is also well-understood that trees have roots that branch out underneath the ground and help keep the tree well-rooted and grounded.