Schweitzer, powder and tragedy, December 22, 2009

About 10 inches of fresh powder at the top at Schweitzer yesterday. Temps in the 20's, sunshine, and fresh powder.

Out first run, Australia, into the outback bowl was sweet but the long run down to Stella was gnarly as warm temps the day before left hard, icy (blue ice and frozen ice) on the groomers back.

The front side was better  My son and I did laps on the Lakeview Triple. Around 1:30 the mountain was enveloped in a white out with limited visibility. No crowds or lift lines. As the temperatures lowered during the day the snow became increasingly icier and formed a crust.

Tragically, a 15 y/o skier was found dead in a tree well at around 12:15. It is unclear if he died of trauma or asphyxiation. Very sad.

Overnight 1/2 inch and clear blue skies predicted, and temps to lower to 10 degrees over the course of the day.

That is terrible news Keith. 15 yrs old.!!!!!!!!!!!
Reminds me of my incident last year with Stewie when he fell in one and started suffocating.
What terrible news for the family.... Damn!

This is absolutely awful. Are the dangers of tree wells still largely unknown?

The article in this morning's paper indicate that William Johnson hit a tree then went into a tree well in an inverted position, so cause of death is still pending.

According to police, "He was with some other people. They started the run and the others got tot he bottom, but he didn't." His companions were unaware that he had fallen and didn't notify anyone.

He was found by 2 snowboarders who dug him out and went for help.

He was a very popular and well liked here in the community.