 Black Bear, Tourism BC photo
Approximately fifty black bears wander through the coastal hemlock-cedar forests around Whistler. Tours provide the opportunity to watch the bears in their natural environment, while getting to know their personalities and even their names. Check with local Visitor Centres for info on what tours are available.
For grizzly sightings just thirty minutes from the traffic and high-rises of Vancouver, head to Grouse Mountain and visit Grinder and Coola. These grizzly bears, orphaned as cubs, live in a refuge at the top of the mountain.
Most bears keep their distance from urban areas. However, each year there are reports of black bears investigating mountainside residential neighbourhoods in search of food: garbage, birdfeeders and other attractants. Residents are taught to be “bear smart” to prevent backyard bears.
> Show all bear watching listings
Bear Watching on Grouse Mountain
 Travel just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver to come face-to-face with two adult male grizzly bears at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife. Grinder and Coola were orphaned as cubs and now live at this research, education and conservation centre. Take the Skyride aerial tram up the mountain and wander around the exterior of their habitat to get a closer look. Or listen in during a ranger talk to learn more and ask questions.
Bear Watching in Whistler
In summer, ride the gondola into the alpine and look down to see if any black bears are trampling through the bushes below in search of berries or grasses. Or, join a bear viewing and ecology tour to team up with Whistler’s resident bear expert and search the slopes for bears, bear dens, deer or other wildlife. The guide recognizes many of these bears individually and knows their personalities and names.
Access to bear viewing areas is in 4x4 vehicles along dirt roads and trails. Tours take place mid-May to end of October.
Bear SafetyFor the safety of humans and bears, always follow these strict but simple precautions from BC Parks and the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC:
- Choose a bear-viewing operator that is respectful and protective of the bears and their needs.
- Bears may approach humans for many reasons; most are not threatening reasons. During an uncomfortably close encounter, stay calm, don’t move quickly, never run and listen to the wildlife viewing guide.
- Never feed or approach a bear – even to get that perfect photo. Hungry or angry bears can attack without warning. Do not use flash photography around bears.
- Vehicles should be well off the road when viewing or photographing wildlife.
- Leave the pets at home or on a very tight leash to avoid attracting or angering bears.
- To avoid human food conditioning of bears, food or beverages other than water should not be consumed near habitats that are frequented by bears.
|