In a simple three-dimensional primitive equation model, a wave number 1 major stratospheric warming is simulated. With the aid of two idealized tracers it is shown that the transport during a major warming event is characterized by a small, well-organized tongue of subtropical air flowing around the displaced winter vortex into the polar cap and by a wide area with strong quasi-horizontal mixing (surf zone). The description of these dynamical processes requires a full three-dimensional space resolution.