"The spaced and easy flow of our Corporate Castaways event, from one "station" to the next, along with your staff's clear explanations of what was expected really enhanced the day. People "got it" and had fun meeting the challenges. As with most Team events, the bringing together of individuals to meet a common goal directly facing them, and their finding ways to do this, was of great benefit. In our HEADSTART conference, these are people from right across Canada who seldom see each other directly. Working together in small groups is excellent networking, as opposed to sitting in a meeting or seminar. Without question this was an excellent investment." Royal LePage
Whistler Bear Watching Tours
See bears in their natural mountain habitat!
No trip to the West Coast would be complete without catching sight of a black bear! Why not search for bears from the safety of our guided Whistler Blackcomb Bear Viewing Tours! We offer safe and informative opportunities to bear watch.
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.
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.
Whistler Bear Watching Tour - Beginner
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. Sightings range from 3-10 in the spring and 5-12 in the fall! Distance to the bears varies between 20-100 meters (60-300 feet) depending on the individual bears. It’s how you see the bear not necessarily how many bears! This tour is guided by Michael Allen, a Black Bear Researcher for 20 years and an internationally recognized conservationist.
May 15 - October 31
Departs May 15 - August 14 at 6am, 12pm, and 6pm
Departs August 15 - September 14 at 6am, 12pm, and 5pm
Departs September 15 - October 31at 7am, 12pm, and 4pm
Tour duration 3 hours
Departs from Base of Blackcomb Mountain
$189.00 per adult (19-64)
$179.00 per youth/senior (7-18, 65+)
Minimum age is 7 years old
Minimum group size is 3 people and maximum is 7
All prices include $1 that will be contributed to offset CO2 emissions. This is a carbon neutral wildlife tour.
Prices in Canadian funds and do not include tax
Synopsis of Viewing Periods:
Early spring (May 15-Jun 15)
Bears graze along lush green ski trails; observe resident mothers with cubs and/or yearlings; start of breeding period – males move into ski area; short walk to daybeds and hair-trap sites.
Peak grazing and mating (Jun 16-Jul 14)
Bears continue grazing following grass and clover up-slope; best opportunity to see pairs of adult bears during courtship and mating activities; potential interactions between adult males and mothers with cubs; short walk to daybeds, dens, and hair trap sites.
Summer transition (Jul 15-Aug 15)
Mating season ends in late July; bears scatter feeding activities from grazing on high elevation grass and sedge to foraging for carpenter ants (from rotten logs and tree stumps) and searching for first ripening berries; interpret daybeds, dens, feeding sites, and hair-trap sites.
Peak berry (Aug 16-Sep 20)
Bears concentrated in high elevation berry shrub-fields; interpret daybed, den, and berry use; brilliant fall colors for photography.
Late berry (Sep 21-Oct 31)
Bears at high elevations searching for scattered berries while some bears reverting back to grazing grass and clover at lower elevations; interpret daybeds, dens, feeding sites, and hair trap sites, pristine alpine photography.
Whistler Bear Watching Tours
