DEEP SNOW AND TREE WELL SAFETY

Grand Targhee Resort is world renowned for deep light snow. While this is almost always a good thing, there are inherent hazards related to deep snow within the resort boundaries! NARSID stands for Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Death. NARSID incidents occur with deep snow or tree well immersions, where a rider or skier falls into an area of deep, unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized. The more the person struggles, the more entrapped in the snow they become, risking suffocation.

• Every skier or snowboarder controls their own level of risk and are the only ones that can prevent this type of accident. Always ski and ride with a partner. To minimize your risk, you must know how to travel safely with your partners in these ungroomed, deep snow areas.
   
• Always stay in visual contact so your partner(s) can see you if you fall. Visual contact means stopping and watching your partner descend at all times, then proceeding downhill while they watch you the entire time. It does no good if your partner is already waiting for you in the lift line while you descend the slope.
   
• Stay close enough to either pull or dig someone out. If you have questions about what is “close enough” to assist someone in a tree well, hold your breath while you read this. The amount of time before you need air may be how much time your partner has to pull or dig you out of danger. Other factors, such as creating an air pocket or the position you fall in, may affect this critical time frame.
   
• Remember, if you lose visual contact with your partner, you could lose your friend. It is important to know that most people who have died in deep snow or tree well accidents had been skiing or riding with “partners” at the time of their accident. Unfortunately, none of these partners were in visual contact, so they could not be of help in a timely manner.
   
• If you have lost contact with a friend or group, contact Grand Targhee Resort patrol at 1 307-353-2300 ext.1333.