While bears are a major Whistler attraction during the summer months, visitors are urged to remember that the bears were here first and deserve the utmost respect. Bears can be spotted on the mountains, on local golf courses and on the valley trail. On occasion, bears have been known to wander through Whistler’s neighbourhoods.

Failing to dispose of garbage is a municipal bylaw offence as bears can become conditioned to garbage as a food source. Bear-proof bins have been installed throughout the municipality to prevent this from happening.

There are several signs of bear presence. While outdoors, watch for tracks, droppings, fresh digging and slashed bark on trees.

Never approach or feed a bear. They are wild animals and unpredictable.

The safest and most likely place from which to see a bear is the gondola up Whistler Mountain. In fact, this year, Whistler/Blackcomb management decided to incorporate bear viewing into their summer mountain activities. Eco-sensitive bear sighting tours are now available on the mountains, allowing visitors a glimpse into the lives of Whistler’s black bears.

Managed by Arthur DeJong, the mountains’ Manager of Mountain Planning and Environmental Resources, bear viewing is guided by local bear researcher Michael Allen. The black bear viewing tours are offered daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Groups are restricted to a maximum of five people. On the tour, you’ll bear dens and feeding sites while learning about mountain ecology and bear food plants, and observing bear behavior.

All proceeds from bear viewing go to bear research and mountain ecology environmental programs, including the proposed on-mountain ecology centre. Reservations may be by calling (604) 932-3434.