There are many reasons why I picked Whistler over Banff, but one reason was no grizzlies. Over the last four years, I have found myself preparing for interactions with these bears.
A grizzly sow found the first hole on the Fairmont golf course this spring, and she was a stroll from the ski runs on Blackcomb. She tolerates some proximity from humans in small numbers. She’ll be back, and at some point with cubs in tow.
BC Parks expects grizzlies to repopulate Garibaldi Park. The ski runs offer an accessible route to access the park.
The Ascent trails have always been off-limits to dogs under the BC Wildlife Act. Many locals regularly ignore the ban and hike the trail with off-leash dogs.
The grizzly doesn’t know or care that your dog doesn’t bother bears, is a service dog, or any other excuses for your dog being on the trail.
Past incidents at Skywalk, Rainbow Lake, and Lord of the Squirrels involved dogs. The tragedy in Banff National Park recently underscores the danger.
Ignoring Vail Resorts’ rules and the Wildlife Act endangers innocent hikers on the Ascent trails, and the bear. Just stop. Now.
