Thank you for sharing ! Very happy that all came out OK. A few short thoughts -
1. Like you, I found that trees don't stop a slide. I was tumbled down through trees, came out at the bottom and 98% buried. Very thankful I didn't hit any of them on the way. My buddy hit either his sled as he was tumbling or a tree (or two) on his way down. Broken collar bone and a cut on his head was all. Again, trees don't stop a slide - they might help slow it down, or at least slow down the impact....
2. Ours was 8 years ago, we both still drive west from MN and ride 2 or more times every year. We ride very differently. Different approach to our awareness, and decisions on where we ride. Better command of our gear (how and where packed). Even carry extra probes and shovels. Multiple Mike Duffy classes (learn something different each time) and, in my case two on the hill field rescue exercises. And practice my skills !!!!
3. Finally, I don't like to tell my story because of the choices I made that day. But in the right situation, and especially if it will help others to make a wiser choice, I will tell - just as you did. I wish everyone that rides in these conditions could hear a story like that - again, in the hopes that they would use it to learn about making wiser choices.
THANK YOU !