Tree Well Shelters

If you are a skier, your first reaction to a ski well will not be positive. Every year, there are accounts of people carving down a mountain and disappearing into these natural formations. Sadly, there are also deaths. Mountain experts warn outdoor enthusiasts about this snow hazard. It is a space of loose, deep snow that forms around tree trunks. They are most common around evergreen trees and can be deeper in heavy snowfall years. 

In that sense, they are one of nature's booby traps. In another, they are a lifeline.

The same forces that create exceptionally deep and dangerous wells around trees, create the start of a shelter in times of necessity. A number of factors determine whether or not building a tree well shelter is possible, including snow depth and tree type. In areas of deep snow, pockets of space are often created where there are evergreen trees with low-hanging boughs. Inside these snow-covered boughs, you can dig in and actually make yourself a makeshift shelter. Try not to disturb all the boughs, as they are covers and insulators.

Try to make the hole at least four feet deep.  The lower branches of the tree should form an overhead shelter when you are finished. It is important to be extremely careful when starting to burrow into a tree well. It can be very easy to become stuck if snow starts to cascade down and fill the hole. Work slowly and methodically. Dig down until you get to ground or frozen level. Then cover the bottom of the pit with evergreen boughs to help keep the shelter insulated.

Compact the walls around you. This will help stabilize the shelter and keep snow from falling down the walls. Once inside, cover the hole that you came through with evergreen boughs to keep heat in and snow out. As snow is an excellent insulator, a properly built shelter combined with body heat can result in a pad that is much warmer than the temperature outside.