Boo Grizzly Bear - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Grizzly Bear Interpretive Centre

Meet Boo the Bear

Grizzly Bear Refuge

One thing that sets Kicking Horse Mountain Resort apart from all other ski resorts is the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge. This is the largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat in the world. The 20-acre area is the home of our resident grizzly bear, Boo. Within this natural mountainside habitat, Boo hunts, plays, forages, and explores just like his wild cousins.

The interpretive centre is open daily during the summer and provides guests the opportunity to observe an adult grizzly bear going about his daily routine. Everyone who comes to visit Boo is fascinated by his strength, agility, intelligence, and personality.

If you don’t see Boo during your initial visit you can return for another FREE* tour. All of our visitors agree that sighting Boo the Grizzly Bear in his natural habitat is a truly unique experience and one they will never forget!

2020 GRIZZLY BEAR REFUGE RATES

Please Note: Due to COVID-19 space is limited on the tour and you must reserve before visiting. Call Guest Services at 250-439-5554 to book your time. Subject to availability.

Masks are mandatory to visit the Grizzly Bear Refuge. Please bring your own or visit Kicking Horse Outfitters to purchase a mask.


Catamount Chairlift - All children must be able to walk independently to ride the chair lift. Front child carriers are allowed; however, the child must be able to walk independently.	Adult (18+)	Youth (13-17)	Child	Senior (65+)	Family*
Bear Refuge	$32.95	$27.95	$15.95	$27.95	$76.95
Ranger Assist Program	$68.95	$58.95	$33.95	$58.95	$160.95**
Adventure Pass \| Sightseeing & Grizzly Bear Refuge	$49.95	$41.95	$24.95	$41.95	$115.95
Adventure Skylunch (incl Adventure Pass and Skylunch at Eagle's Eye Restaurant)	$74.95	$66.95	$39.95	$66.95	N/A

*Maximum of 6 (2 adults and up to 4 children or youth)

**Maximum of 5 (2 adults and up to 3 children or youth)

PHOTO GALLERY

REFUGE REPORT

REFUGE HISTORY

INTERPRETIVE TOURS

Public education about grizzly bears is the primary mission of the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge. Interpretive tours are conducted by knowledgeable guides and focus on grizzly bear behavior and natural history.

As a blue-listed species, grizzly bears are sensitive to human activity and threatened by habitat loss and other factors. By observing Boo in his natural habitat, guests have the opportunity to see firsthand how beautiful and majestic grizzly bears really are. Raising awareness of these secretive and noble creatures helps to improve the plight of this embattled species.

Interpretive tours are held every hour on the hour, Monday through Sunday from 10am to 3pm. There is no tour at 1pm because Boo is often out of sight, napping through the mid-day heat. Grizzly bears are more active during the cooler morning hours. For that reason, the 10am tour is highly recommended, providing a greater likelihood of seeing Boo active and up close. When he’s awake, Boo is rarely out of sight for more than a few minutes at a time and your patience will be rewarded once he reappears.

Tours follow where Boo goes, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and don’t forget your camera, bug spray, and a light parka since mountain weather can change quickly. To avoid tempting Boo, please do not bring food during your visit. With his keen sense of smell you might get more attention than you’d like. The interpretive tours do not follow a script and each one is unique depending upon Boo’s activity. Guests are welcome to stay at the refuge as long as they wish and return to the village plaza via chairlift whenever they want.

View Summer Hours of Operation

RANGER ASSIST PROGRAM

Go behind the scenes during this two-hour adventure and get an incredible close-up of Boo

The Ranger Assist Program (RAP) is a unique experience offered to those who wish to have a more personal encounter with Boo and for bear enthusiasts alike. Our Ranger Assist Program has a maximum of 5 individuals & is offered at 9am and 3pm. 9am tours have exclusive early access to the Catamount Chair to ride up and meet Boo and Ranger team. You will encounter Boo in his home and observe how Boo’s supplements are delivered to him and why it’s done in the manner performed. The first hour of this program is without public guests present, RAP guests will also observe our opening procedures. At 10am the public will arrive to the refuge & the final hour of the program is delivered during the first public tour of the day. RAP guests are not obliged to remain for the entire 10am public tour & can egress via the catamount chair at their leisure.

During the afternoon RAP tour, guests will arrive to the refuge for the final public tour of the day via the catamount chair. RAP guests will present their tickets to one of the Ranger’s present & once the final public tour ends, the RAP guests will remain at the refuge with their ranger for their final hour of their program. Guests will have the opportunity to observe closing procedures, assist with the retrieval of Boo’s PM supplements & observe how his supplements are delivered & why it’s done in the manner performed. Once your program is complete, you will be driven down the mountain by your guide & dropped off outside the Adventure Centre.

Don’t forget to bring a camera, bug spray & a light jacket as mountain weather can change quickly.

See our complete summer pricing list HERE.

Ranger Assist tours are limited to a maximum of five guests and must be booked at least one day in advance. Call 1.866.SKI.KICK (754-5425) or visit Guest Services in the Day Lodge to make a reservation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligibility upon participation in a full tour (starting every hour on the hour, except at 1pm).
Guests to be qualified by refuge guides.
Grizzly Bear Refuge voucher to be allocated by refuge guides and redeemed at Guest Services within summer operating dates. No cash value. No refund. Voucher is valid for Grizzly Bear Refuge products only and not transferable.

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OVERNIGHT	48 HOURS
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24 HOURS	7 DAY


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