There are somewhere around 20,000 grizzly bears remaining in western Alberta, the Yukon and Northwest Territories and British Columbia. On Alberta’s provincial lands, there’s an estimated 691 grizzlies, the most of which (109) live in Jasper National Park. But Banff National Park is still home to an estimated population around 65 individuals.
The summer gondola at Lake Louise Ski Resort, located inside Banff National Park, is a famous hotspot for safe wildlife viewing in Canada, with views of lynx, moose, mountain goats, elk, deer, black bears, and grizzly bears often visible from the lift. While most of those animals are much harder to find when the resort is open for skiers and snowboarders, it’s not impossible. In the case below, a snowboarder managed to come across a grizzly bear as it meandered down the slopes.
Grizzly bears aren’t usually agressive towards humans but getting too close can be dangerous for both the animal and the person. The amount of space might depend on where you are, but a good guideline is typically at least 100 yards (300 feet). If you spot a bear in your path, you should take a wide detour to avoid appearing threatening. While this snowboarder did slow down a bit close to the animal, he continued to move along and seemed to understand that the bear needed to be left alone. Read more on bear safety below:
Lake Louise Ski Resort Bear Encounter Guidelines:
It’s tough to predict the best strategy if you ever face a wild bear. That’s why it’s so crucial to focus on avoiding an encounter in the first place.
But if you do find yourself in that situation, here are some tips to help you handle it.
Keep Yourself Calm
Bears are usually just curious creatures. If you see one standing on its hind legs, it’s probably just trying to catch your scent. This isn’t necessarily a sign of aggression.
Running might seem like a good idea, but it can actually trigger a chase response. Bears can outrun you without breaking a sweat. So, take a deep breath and keep your cool.
If you have kids with you, pick them up to prevent them from panicking or running.
Use Your Bear Spray
Bear spray should be your last resort, but it’s a must-have when you’re in the Banff National Park. It can be really effective if a bear gets too close. Just make sure you know how to use it.
Keep it handy and get familiar with how it works. Lake Louise Ski Resort has a Bear Awareness Program where you can learn how to use bear spray properly. It’s a great way to feel more confident and safe during your visit.
Back Away Slowly
If you spot a bear in your path, the best thing to do is make a wide detour. Give the bear plenty of space to avoid making it feel threatened. Slowly begin to back away, talking in a soft, calm voice. Staying in a group can also be reassuring and make you appear larger to the bear.
Avoid direct eye contact because bears can see that as a challenge. Instead, look at the bear’s forehead or shoulder. It shows the bear that you’re not a threat, giving it the chance to move away on its own.
Do NOT Drop Objects
When you encounter a bear, it might seem like a good idea to drop objects to distract it, but this can actually make the situation worse. Bears are curious and may come closer to investigate what you dropped.
Also, never feed the bears. If a bear receives food, it gets rewarded for its aggressive behavior, making it more likely to approach humans in the future.
Keep your snacks to yourself, and make sure to pack out all your trash for bear safety.