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Meanwhile, the ski resorts in Banff National Park are in incredible shape. Below are a couple of webcam snapshots from today. Fresh powder and cooler temperatures are creating some of the best spring skiing seen for years!

Lake Louise [Banff National Park] snapshot from today:

Sunshine Village [Banff National Park] snapshot from today:

There are two types of bears here: the black bear and the grizzly (or brown) bear. Don’t let the names fool you, you may see a brown or cinnamon coloured “black bear” like the cub with her mother photographed below:

Black Bear

Grizzly Bear

The grizzly bear can be identified by it’s distinctive hump on the back of it’s neck.

A grizzly bear is also larger than a black bear.

Each year, people get too close to wildlife especially bears. I personally have seen families stand in front of a bear cub on the side of the road to take pictures. This is not fair for the bear, especially the mother who is watching and may decide to protect her cub at anytime.

Please don’t put bears, or any other wildlife, in this position, it simply isn’t fair.

The bear safety information below has been sourced through Parks Canada:

If you are driving: stay in your car, and consider not stopping.

If you are not in a vehicle:

• Stay calm. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you. Remain still and talk calmly so that it knows you are human and not a prey animal. Bears may also bluff charge: run toward you and turn away at the last moment. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack.
• Pick up children, stay in a group.
• Back away slowly, don’t run.
• Leave the area. If this is impossible, wait until the bear leaves; make sure it has an escape route.

To reduce your risk of a surprise encounter:

• Make noise. Clap, sing or yell to announce your presence, especially where a bear might not otherwise smell, hear or see you coming. (Bear bells are not very effective.)
• Travel in groups, on established trails, and during daylight hours.
• Minimize odours by proper storage of food, garbage and toiletries.
• Leave the area if you see a bear or fresh tracks, droppings, diggings; or if you come across a large dead animal (a bear may be nearby).

If you surprise a bear and it defends itself:

Use bear spray if you have it. PLAY DEAD, let it know you are not a threat: lie on stomach with legs apart, cover back of head and neck with hands, keep pack on to protect your back.

If a bear stalks you and then attacks, or attacks at night:

Try to escape, use bear spray if you have it. FIGHT BACK, let it know that you are not easy prey. (This kind of predatory attack is very rare.)

Guides are easily available so if you are not comfortable hiking in the wilderness then local experts can certainly take good care of you.

rocky-peak Holidays is a local company based in Canmore, just 5 minutes outside of Banff National Park and can help you find a suitable guide. There are also group hiking tours available.

Have you had a bear encounter you would like to share with us and our readers? Please post it below!

This 1-hour trail ride travels through the woodland, along the Bow River and loops around the marsh.  This ride will depart hourly daily starting at 10am with the last one departing at 5pm.

Reservations are recommended for this ride and you can call +1-403-609-0286 (1-888-747-6259 North America / 0800-567-7542 U.K.) to speak with a local reservations agent.  The cost is $40 per rider and payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

Please check in at Warner Stables 10 minutes before your ride’s scheduled departure time.  The stables are located at the end of Sundance Road just off Cave Avenue. No shuttle service provided.  Gloves and hats are highly recommended for this time of year!

For more Banff Horseback Riding Tours, contact us at Banff Holidays.