ALTA, Wyo. — A man died in a skiing accident at Grand Targhee Resort on Saturday, Feb. 17, according to the ski resort.
William Douglas England, a 67-year-old from Lakewood, Colorado, was skiing through the trees between the Silver Jae and Eleanor runs when he became immersed in a tree well. Ski patrol located him but was unable to resuscitate him. A tree well is a hidden cavity of deep snow surrounding a tree trunk, where branches prevent snow from compacting in a ring around the tree. Recreators can fall into the powder and become stuck, often suffocating if they have fallen headfirst.
Teton County Coroner Brent Blue confirmed the details of the deceased’s identity, and said his report, including cause of death, would not be available for a few weeks.
Grand Targhee Resort General Manager Geordie Gillett told Buckrail that everyone at the mountain wished to extend their condolences to the skier’s friends and family.
“It’s always pretty traumatic for everyone involved,” Gillet said. “It’s just tragic. For everyone that responded and was involved, it’s pretty emotional. Everybody here has a heavy heart.”
Targhee representatives encourage skiers to be aware of the National Ski Area Association’s resources regarding tree well and deep snow safety, available here.
“Tree skiing is fun but it does come with added dangers and risks and precautions,” Gillett said. “Always ski with a friend, and keep close eyes on each other. It’s definitely advisable when you’re tree skiing to wear a beacon and have a shovel. Beacons are effective for more than just avalanches. As long as you’re within 45 meters, you can really speed up the amount of time it takes to locate somebody.”
Gillett said he couldn’t recall any previous tree well fatalities occurring at Targhee, though other skiers have died from hitting trees.
