Bear Viewing & Ecology Tours

CONNECT WITH WHISTLER'S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

This is your opportunity to experience the wildlife, vegetation, glaciers and rainforests of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Visit bear dens and wander through pristine alpine meadows and old growth Western Hemlock forests. Learn how conservation and enhancement initiatives help to sustain healthy populations, and how mountain resorts are continually redesigning recreational experiences to ensure a sustainable future.

Contact Guest Relations or call 1.866.218.9684 to book.

Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains support a population of up to 70 black bears and cubs, including 17 mothers, that have adapted to feeding, mating, and hibernating amongst ski area habitats. Many other wildlife share the same habitats. You may see Coastal Mountain black-tailed deer, Coyote, Ruffed grouse, Red-tailed hawks, Barred and Great Horned owls, and Western Hoary marmots.

Ride in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle through a maze of ski area roads that traverse the area's diverse forests, meadows, and streams. Take short walks to bear feeding sites, daybeds, and old growth trees where bears have hibernated during the winter.

The Mid-Day Tour will have the option to stop at key points for interpretive walks. Please note that those with physical limitations should book the Morning or Afternoon Tour.

Available May 15 - October 31, 2011 Adult (19-64) Youth (7-18)
Senior (64+)		 Child (under 7)
Price* $189 $179 $179


Bear Viewing Times May 15 - Aug 19 Aug 20 - Sept 14 Sept 15 - Oct 31
Morning 6am 6am 7am
Mid-Day 12pm 12pm 12pm
Afternoon 6pm 5pm 4pm
Recommend for children 10+ years old.

Meeting Location is at the Base of the Wizard Express, Blackcomb Base, 15 minutes prior to tour start. Look for the Bear Viewing sign.

Dress in layers and wear sturdy footwear. Bring insect repellent and don’t forget your camera. Binoculars are provided.

* Special arrangements can be made for large groups/conferences.

Contact Guest Relations or call 1.866.218.9684 to book.

Bear Viewing Updates

by Michael Allen, Bear Researcher/Guide.

Report Date: July 1, 2011

Tours depart daily: 6am, 12 Noon, and 6pm
Reservations tel: 1-800-766-0449 (press 2)
Meet at the large bear viewing sign at base of Wizard Chairlift on Blackcomb 15-mins prior to tour

Bear Activity Synopsis:

Mating season underway with male bears moving between all 3 sub-populations of resident females: Blackcomb, Whistler North, and Whistler West slopes. Slumber and Skinner, the ski area's 2 alpha males are moving sometimes 15-km back and forth, every few days to check out receptive girlfriends.

Mating continues through July as bears graze amongst receding snow-patches to mid-mountain. 13 females are breeding and 2 females (Jeanie and Amy) still have 1 and 2 cubs, respectively.

July continues to be the social highlight of bear behavior with chases, tree climbing, courtship/mating, and wrestling.

Photography is vivid across a black, brown, white, and green landscape. Other wildlife seen include: Columbian Black-tailed deer with fawns, coyote, game birds, and occasional raptors.


Ski area's oldest (>21 years) female, Marisa (left) on a date with alpha male bad boy, Skinner. M. Allen 6-2011

Report Date: June 23, 2011

Tours depart daily: 6am, 12 Noon, and 6pm
Reservations tel: 1-800-766-0449 (press 2)
Meet at the large bear viewing sign at base of Wizard Chairlift on Blackcomb 15-mins prior to tour

Bear Activity Synopsis:

Male bears now roaming through ski area as the mating season is underway. Delayed green-up and feeding is pushing peak mating into July so high bear activity will be seen well into summer.

The last mother-yearling family group are currently splitting up in bike park. All females will be breeding except Jeanie (1 cub) and Amy (2 cubs) so the guys will be happy. And the late snowpack has created some unique opportunties to see/photograph bears amongst snowpatches where color and contrast is especially vivid. First Black-tailed deer fawns have been born as well as many interesting bear-coyote encounters.

June and July are the social highlight of bear behavior with chases, tree climbing, courtship/mating, and some fighting.

  • There are at least 41 bears using ski area in June with an increase during July.
  • Bear sightings highest at 6pm and 6am tours in all weather
  • 12 noon best on cloudy and/or rainy days

Click to View
Click to Expand/Zoom
Jeanie's 5-month cub shows off ursine-agility in climbing the Garbonzo chair tower-ladder...who needs bark?! Michael Allen 6-2011.

Report Date: June 6, 2011

6pm sighting up to 16 bears!
6am sighting up to 5 bears.

Bears frequently seen:

Bear Families:Jeanie + cub, Elly + yearling, Daisy + yearling
Single Females:Alice, Marisa, Olivia, Michelle, Brownie
Alpha Males:Slumber, Skinner, and contending males
Click to View
Click to Expand/Zoom

Guides

Our experienced and qualified team of guides boast a wealth of knowledge of Whistler’s flora and fauna, and ecology that makes for an incredible outdoor learning experience.

Michael Allen is an independent researcher who investigates the behavior and ecology of black bears (Ursus americanus). He has been studying black bears for 25 years, with the last 17 of those in the Sea to Sky Corridor. His mission is to document the unique lives of individual bears through photography and observed behaviors so that people can better understand how a bear adapts to environmental changes brought on by man, climate, and other bears. Between 1994 and 2008, Mike has identified over 300 individual bears and has monitored more than 800 bear-life years in Whistler. Over 5,000 digital, high-resolution photos are taken each year of bears to maintain a progressive photographic catalogue of their identity and status.

Michael Allen’s research is internationally represented through the BBC Natural World's "In the Company of Bears" and the U.S. Discovery Animal Planet new bear ecology website. Mike Allen Black Bear Studies provide a foundation for ski area, school, and community bear awareness programs.
Kathy Jenkins has lived in the Sea to Sky Corridor since 1996. As an active member of the environmental community, she has done a variety of ecological field research in the area since her arrival. Her goal is to understand how all species relate and survive within ecosystems, and to assist people in learning to maintain this natural balance. Sound ecosystem management is Kathy's passion and lifelong interest.

She is a long-term board member of the Whistler Naturalists Society, whose mandate is "to know nature and to keep it worth knowing" and is also a founding board member of Stewardship Pemberton. While living in Whistler, Kathy has completed a Diploma in the Restoration of Natural Systems from the University of Victoria and a Masters Degree in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University. She is an avid skier and mountain biking enthusiast whose love for the Coast Mountains keeps her settled in the area.

Bear Viewing Seasons

Different seasons provide for different viewing and learning opportunities, so be sure to check the season options before booking your tour.

SPRING GRAZING & MATING

Mid May - Mid July

Best time to see new born cubs, mating behavior, large males, and social interactions. Up to 10 Bears viewed per tour.

SUMMER ANTS & BERRIES

Mid July - Mid August

Moderate viewing as bears transition between grazing, eating ants, and looking for berries. Up to 5 Bears viewed per tour.

FALL BERRIES

Mid August - Mid October

Best time to see bears up close, foraging berries at higher elevations. Up to 15 Bears viewed per tour.
Bear sightings are not guaranteed. Bear activity is dependent on weather, food supply, other bears, and human activity.

Eco Tours

Climate Change Tour

Climate change is the most increasingly important environmental issue of our time. On this tour, guided by Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental manager, you will enter the alpine where you will visit a glacier, nature’s most sensitive ecosystem to temperature change. You will learn how landforms are continuously changing and how Whistler Blackcomb works at reducing its carbon footprint

Alpine Ecology Tour

Join one of our leading conservationists and get a closer look at the wildlife, vegetation, and glaciers while learning about Whistler Blackcomb’s unique alpine ecosystems. Wander through colourful alpine meadows and view wildlife as you learn how conservation and enhancement initiatives help protect biodiversity and support healthy wildlife populations.
For complete details and pricing on the Climate Change and Alpine Ecology Tours please phone 604.938.7080.