Mt. Bachelor, where tragedy struck this week. Photo: Visit Bend
A 34-year-old skier identified as Benjamin Shelkey from Seattle, Washington died Monday after falling into a tree well at Bend, Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor. The tragedy happened after Mt. Bachelor had seen 37 inches of snow fall in just the previous 48 hours and more than five feet in the week prior, creating critical deep snow conditions for tree well accidents to occur.
Shelky was reportedly found by other skiers who freed him from the well and began CPR, but he was unresponsive. First responders arrived on the scene after being notified and were unable to revive him.
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“This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with Benjamin Shelkey’s family and friends,” Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp said in a statement to the public. “We also recognize the swift response and dedication of those who assisted in this rescue effort. Tragedies like this remind us of the risks of outdoor recreation, and we encourage everyone to take precautions when venturing into deep snow conditions.”
The incident highlights the extreme danger of skiing and snowboarding on deep snow days, as tree-well accidents resulting in death occur at a rate of about four to five times per year, according to a 2024 report from World Extreme Medicine (WEM). That accounts for around 10 percent of the average deaths that occur inbounds at ski resorts each season.
“Both skiers and snowboarders are vulnerable to tree wells, but the nature of snowboarding, with both feet attached to a single board, can make it more challenging for snowboarders to free themselves if they fall into a well,” WEM says. “Skiers may have a slight advantage due to the ability to use their poles to aid in rescue or to create space around their face for breathing. However, both groups must be aware of the danger and take appropriate precautions.”
Sadly, that came to fruition this week at Mt. Bachelor.
