Ski for fun, but keep it safe

The deep blanket of snow surrounding trees at local ski areas often masks what could be an unexpected danger: the wells around the trunks of the trees.

In a span of less than two weeks, two people died in tree wells at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Their deaths — as well as a handful of previous fatalities over the years — underscore the hidden peril that lurks beneath branches of trees.

Tree wells are hollowed areas or areas of less densely packed snow at the base of trees that are surrounded by deep snow (and there is plenty of that deep snow this winter).

If you fall into a tree well, particularly head-first, the odds of surviving are low, especially if you are skiing or snowboarding alone. A pair of experiments conducted by snow-safety experts found that 90 percent of volunteers who were temporarily put in a tree well could not rescue themselves.

To prevent trouble in the trees, then, it’s wise to ski or snowboard cautiously and not to do it alone.

GOOD NEWS for the local economy could be just around the corner — around the corner at U.S. 93 and Reserve Drive, that is.

The developers of Spring Prairie Center are seeking plat approval for a third phase that will include room for 10 building sites on 22 acres near Lowe’s. Although no specific tenants are lined up, this is the same area where Kohl’s had previously been interested in building a department store.

Any retail development at this time, along with the construction work that it entails, could be just what we need to put an end to the stubborn slowdown in the region.

The Kalispell Planning Board gave the project unanimous approval Tuesday. Let’s hope that there are no hitches, and we see construction begin in the not-too-distant future.

IN OTHER good news, Glacier Park Inc. has purchased Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish.

That’s actually a double dose of good news. It puts one of the area’s prime hotels in good hands, and it turns GPI into a year-round presence for the first time.

Glacier Park Inc. operates most of the major lodges in and near Glacier National Park and in Waterton Park in Canada. Their plans for the lodge have not yet been announced, but promise to be exciting.

Meanwhile, co-owners Buzz Crutcher and Tim Grattan deserve recognition for their vision in opening the lodge in 1984, and maintaining it as a top-notch facility for the past 26 years.