It’s a sure sign of spring. Or, at least spring skiing.
Boo, the resident grizzly bear at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C., is awake.
The long-ago orphaned bear appears to be finished with winter hibernation slightly before its officially spring and is now doing rounds within his massive enclosure at the ski hill.
“We aren’t the only ones enjoying the spring sunshine,” the resort posted on social media Tuesday.
We aren’t the only ones enjoying the spring sunshine.
Posted by Kicking Horse Mountain Resort on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
The resort is still open for skiers and snowboarders for another few weeks.
Those lucky enough to time a run perfectly can safely ski right along portions of his enclosure and catch a glimpse.
I was just that lucky on closing day in April, 2015 and snapped this photo of the beautiful bear.
Sightseers can also safely look down on him from the gondola.
Boo was named for the Cariboo Mountains where he was born.
“Tragically, his mother was shot and killed by a poacher in June 2002, leaving Boo and his brother, Cari, orphaned and defenseless at just five months of age,” the resort explained. “The cubs might have been euthanized, but instead were given a second lease on life and a new home at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge.”
Cari never woke from his first hibernation. Veterinarians later determined he suffered from twisted intestines.
Boo has lived there alone ever since, which suits male grizzlies just fine. He did escape once in 2006 in search of a mate, but eventually returned voluntarily. And this is where he’s lived ever since.
“We continue to learn from Boo, while at the same time allowing him to live the best captive life possible,” the resort added.
The ski hill welcomes visitors to learn about bears, Boo’s life and habitat in the summer.
Meanwhile, Boo is getting a jump on spring, which doesn’t officially start until March 20.
