Timberline skier dies in tree well incident

A 42-year-old skier died in a tree well incident at Timberline Ski Area Saturday morning, resort officials said.

The man, whose name has not been released, was skiing with a friend in a treed area within the ski area boundary when he “died in a tree well-related incident,” Timberline officials said in a Facebook posting.

Another person found the man, unresponsive and with no pulse, and “resuscitation efforts were not successful,” the resort reported.

Tree wells are areas of loose snow around tree trunks that can suffocate people who fall into them. They are considered most dangerous after periods of heavy snowfall.

Jeff Kohnstamm, Timberline president and area operator, issued a statement:, “All of us at Timberline are heartbroken by the loss experienced at the Mountain today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friend and colleagues of a happy, energetic member of our mountain community.

“Please be aware of tree wells and other deep snow hazards and always ski with a buddy while keeping them in sight. I am especially thankful and proud of all the professional and volunteer ski patrol members who responded today. They are fantastic and we thank you.”

Two people at Mt. Bachelor, a skier and a snowboarder, died the same day in separate tree well incidents early last March.