Which is what happened to me up at June Mtn during my avalanche class this pass weekend. Of course, on the ONE day I didn't wear my helmet I slam into the tree well. You can sorta see me going down head first. Having taken martial arts before I'm use to tucking my chin in a fall so I tucked as hard as I could and my shoulder and backpack took the brunt of the force. My buddies saw the whole thing and rushed to help me out. Got lucky on this one! be careful people