Bear Safety
Sharing Whistler’s trails, golf courses, and neighbourhoods with the bears who live here
Around 50 black bears call Whistler home
The black bear is the most common bear in British Columbia, and roughly 50 resident black bears live in and around Whistler. As the snow melts each spring, they emerge from hibernation in search of food, and warmer temperatures and longer days draw them into town. Encounters are most likely on golf courses, along trails, and near the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb.
A little awareness keeps everyone safe, bears included. Whether you are visiting for a few nights or you own a home here, the most important thing you can do is keep bears from associating people with food. That means securing all garbage, never leaving it outside, and storing attractants indoors. Give bears space, keep your distance, and they will keep moving.
If you would like to see bears safely, you can join a Bear Viewing Tour, where expert guides take you to active feeding sites and daybeds while teaching you about these remarkable animals.
Keep Your Distance
Stay well back and let bears graze undisturbed. Never approach, surround, or crowd a bear to take a photo.
Never Approach Cubs
A mother bear sees any move toward her cubs as a threat. If you see cubs, the mother is close, so leave the area calmly.
Report a Sighting
Report a bear in conflict or distress to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Know the Difference
You will almost certainly meet black bears in Whistler. Grizzlies are very rare this close to the village, but knowing how to tell the two apart matters. The clearest signs are the shoulder hump, the slope of the back, and the shape of the face.
If You Encounter a Bear
Most encounters end quietly when people stay calm and give the bear room to move on. Keep these in mind whether you are on a trail, on the golf course, or just outside your rental.
- Stay calm, speak in a low voice, and let the bear know you are human.
- Back away slowly and give the bear a clear escape route.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- Hike in groups, make noise on the trail, and carry bear spray.
- Pick up small children and stay together as a group.
- Do not run. Running can trigger a bear to chase.
- Do not approach, feed, or crowd a bear for a photo.
- Never come between a mother and her cubs.
- Do not turn your back or make sudden movements.
- Do not leave food, coolers, or scented items unattended.
Manage Attractants at Your Home
A bear that finds food near people loses its natural caution, and a food-conditioned bear often cannot be relocated. Keeping your home and rental free of attractants is the single most important thing you can do to protect both guests and bears.
Store all garbage indoors or in a certified bear-proof container, and put it out only on collection morning. Never leave any garbage, recycling, or scented items outside, even for a short time.
Common Attractants to Secure
- Garbage and recycling kept indoors until collection day
- Food, coolers, and leftovers, including on patios and decks
- Barbecues cleaned after every use
- Bird feeders and pet food brought inside
- Fruit, compost, and freezers in garages secured
Watch Whistler’s Bears From a Safe Distance
If you want to see bears the right way, join a guided Bear Viewing Tour. Expert guides take you to active feeding sites, daybeds, and the dens used for winter hibernation, all while keeping a respectful distance.
It is the safest way to observe these animals, and you will come away knowing far more about the bears who share this valley.
Planning a Whistler Stay?
Our concierge team can recommend bear-aware trails, arrange a guided viewing tour, and make sure your home is set up to keep both guests and wildlife safe.