Both skiers and snowboarders account for cases of NARSID. It is important to know that deaths have occurred with people using both releasable ski bindings as well as non-releasable snowboarding bindings.

Most of these people have been found buried in an inverted body position with their head under the snow. This position makes it very difficult to breathe or escape.

It is very important to note that many of the people who died as a result of a NARSID accident were with partners at the time of the accident but, unfortunately, the partners did not witness the fall.

In the years between 1990-2000 skier deaths due to NARSID accidents out numbered snowboarders by 2:1.

However, from 2000-2006, that trend completely reversed and snowboarders are now twice as likely to be involved in a NARSID accident than a skier.

Most of these accidents happen during, or just after, big snowfalls. This is also the time when skiers and snowboarders venture off of the groomed trails in search of powder snow.

December and January have more of the documented cases due to the loose and unconsolidated snowpack conditions generally associated with early season.

The amount of newly deposited snow is much more important then the total depth of the snowpack.

A cat, or grooming machine, smoothes a groomed trail. To the right of the cat is considered ungroomed.

Deep snow and tree well suffocation accidents have been documented at many western ski areas that have heavy snowfalls, thick western forests, and lots of skiers and riders who regularly leave the designated trails. The number of actual cases that occur is greater than what is documented, but due to a lack of awareness many of these deaths are attributed to other causes.

These accidents are most likely to occur in areas of loose unconsolidated snow on ungroomed runs. You must understand the difference between groomed and ungroomed areas within the ski area and know what a tree well is.