Grizzly Bear Refuge
Peek at Boo!
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is home to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat. This is where resident orphan grizzly bear Boo lives and plays. Visitors are given the opportunity, as part of a one-of-a-kind interpretive tour, to view a grizzly bear interacting much as they do in the wild; foraging, hunting, playing, swimming, snoozing and exploring. Starting at 9am tours are held every hour on the hour throughout the summer season. These tours are educational and interactive, allowing guests a unique opportunity to view this incredible mammal and learn about the plight of this blue listed species. The Refuge is accessible by a 15 minute scenic chairlift ride, followed by a short stroll to the Interpretive Center. The Refuge is open daily and guests are welcome to stay as long as they wish.
Grizzly bears are more active during the cooler temperatures on a hot summer day such as morning or late afternoon. A bears thick coat make mid day temperatures ‘unbearable’. Remember to bring walking shoes, a camera, a light jacket as mountain weather can change within minutes, bug spray, and please to leave all food at the interpretive center to avoid tempting Boo with pungent food smells.
The 2011 summer season will commence with operations on June 10th, 2011 and run seven days a week until September 25th, 2011. Tours start at 9am which is the absolute best time to view Boo and continue hourly until 5pm (4pm early/late season), with no tour at 1pm. The warm summer temperatures mean early morning or late afternoon tend to be the best viewing times.
Continued for 2011 is the exceptional Ranger Assistant Program (RAP) where we offer guests a unique, up close and personal look at the Grizzly Bear Refuge and its operation. You will meet a Refuge staff where you will enjoy a private experience at the Refuge while assisting the ranger with their duties. To start off your 2 hour adventure you will take part in the last interpretive tour of the day and then have the opportunity to walk the habitat perimeter, observe the spreading of Boo’s supplements, have a private one on one conversation with the guide, and enjoy uninterrupted viewing of the Refuge. This is truly a unique experience not to be missed by any bear enthusiast, or someone hoping to increase their knowledge of bear biology and behaviour! The program starts at 5pm (4pm early/late season), has a maximum of 5 guests and must be booked in advance, no later than 3pm. Call 1.866.SKI.KICK (754.5462) Option 2, or head into Guest Services in the Day Lodge
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is committed to environmental sustainability CLICK HERE to read more.
