Bear Watching
Grizzly bear crossing a stream (Canadian Tourism Commission photo)
Bears roam the mountains and valleys that make up the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region.
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.
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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 Safety
For 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.
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1
6400 Nancy Greene Way
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7R 4K9
Websitehttp://www.grousemountain.com
Toll-free
Phone604-980-9311
Located 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain's Super Skyride whisks you high above the city to a mountaintop of adventure including hiking trails, ziplining, live entertainment, a wildlife refuge & much more. In winter, enjoy snowshoeing, outdoor mountaintop ice skating, sleigh rides & the best in local skiing & snowboarding. Ideally situated overlooking the city, Grouse Mountain's restaurants showcase some of the best of BC, from fine dining at The Observatory to flavourful après in Altitudes Bistro. Visit our newest attraction, The Eye of the Wind, Vancouver's iconic wind turbine.
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2
Websitehttp://www.oceanadventures.bc.ca
Toll-free
Phone604-812-9453
Join us to experience unparallelled wildlife viewing, whale watching, & awe-inspiring First Nations culture, amidst BC's most spectacular landscapes. Our small group sizes mean our guests enjoy the most intimate experiences with nature & our photographers the best opportunities... our guests are never just part of a crowd. With our small groups (maximum 6 guests per trip), our fully certified professional guides can better ensure the safety of the group while having the least impact on the lands we visit & the wildlife we view. Join our scheduled trips or design your own custom (private) charter and experience the Wild in Wilderness!
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3
4282 Mountain Square
Whistler, British Columbia
V0N 1B4
Websitehttp://www.whistlerblackcomb.com
Toll-free800-766-0449
Phone604-932-3141
Spanning the distance between Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains, the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is breathtaking. The journey between the two mountains provides a 360-degree window into Whistler Blackcomb's alpine environment, its surrounding peaks, changing seasons & wildlife habitat. Looking for an epic hike to an ancient glacier? A gentle stroll on an alpine walking trail? A tour of black bear habitat? High tea at an alpine hut? Wine tasting on a mountaintop patio? The choice is yours with the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. From easy to epic, there's something for everyone.
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4
Websitehttp://www.whistlerdiscoverytours.com
Toll-free888-501-4845
Phone604-966-7385
'Exclusive Land Rover Excursions'. Our year-round scenic private/semi-private Eco-Tours will take you to areas rarely seen by most Whistler visitors; Morning/Evening with the Bears, Ancient Rainforest/Eagle Viewing Experience, Hidden Glacier Lake Hike/Snowshoe. Travel throughout the Coast Mountain Range to rarely seen scenic destinations in one of our rugged, well-appointed G4 series Land Rover LR3 to the most remote locations in the Whistler region. Take in the year-round amazing beauty of the area on several of our exclusive private/semi-private tours. Allow Whistler Discovery Tours to guide you on your unique adventure.
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