Skier Dies at Steamboat From Tree Well Entrapment

This sadly marks the first fatality at Steamboat Ski Resort this winter. Wikimedia photo.

Sobering news from Steamboat this weekend after a skier became trapped in a tree well and sadly passed away. Frank Maimone, a 53-year-old Pennsylvania native, was skiing alone and reportedly fell head-first into a tree well in the Shadows Glades area at the Colorado resort on Saturday. He was later found unresponsive around 2:30 pm. 

RELATED: Watch a Skier Demonstrate the Hazards of Tree Wells

Tree well danger is positively correlated with snowfall, and Steamboat recently received 38 inches of new snow last Thursday and Friday. As snowpack increases, so does the deficit of snow beneath trees, causing larger and larger tree wells. Ride with friends and 
stay cautious, especially after large storms. Our condolences to Maimone's friends and family.