Don’t you hate it when someone holds up the lift line, causing a bunch of chairs to go empty on a busy day? This moose mother and juvenile did exactly that at Winter Park Resort as they wandered through the ropes near Prospector Express.
Colorado is home to a thriving moose population of over 3,000 animals thanks to an introduction effort in the 1970s. Today the state’s population is one of the fastest growing in the lower 48 states. With such a robust population, moose encounters on the ski slopes aren’t uncommon. Just a few weeks ago in February, a moose (potentially the same adult as seen in the below video) caused quite a stir at the Winter Park base.
Fortunately it seems as though nobody tried to pet the moose and everyone waited patiently for ski patrol to successfully divert the animals away from the bottom lift terminal. They did eventually depart the lift line, heading back towards the woods away from the crowds.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife Moose Viewing Guidelines:
Decades ago hardly anyone ever saw a moose in Colorado. Today the state’s moose populations are thriving, thanks to successful reintroduction efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife that begin in 1978. Moose have become a main attraction for all who enjoy watching wildlife. The state legislature even designated Walden as the “Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado” in 1995.
- Find a high spot that looks down into drainages for an excellent vantage point.
- Drive slowly along logging roads on national forest lands that parallel drainages.
- Look for moose sign—large tracks, droppings, browsed willows—along the edges of willow bottoms and aspen or pine forests. Moose tracks are very large and often show dewclaws (a rudimentary claw or small hoof not reaching the ground) in snow or mud.
- Listen for moose sounds, which are limited to grunting, with bulls being the most vocal during the mating season.
- Realize moose do not herd into large groups as do many species of big game, even in winter. They prefer to travel in small family groups or to remain secluded.
- A good place to view them is near the water, as moose are excellent swimmers and are very much at home in the water.
- Never approach moose too closely. Watch and photograph from safe distances using telephoto lenses, binoculars and spotting scopes.
- Move slowly and not directly at them. Back off if they exhibit signs of aggression.
