Grizzly 'shooed' away after surprise appearance at Marmot Basin
Second grizzly in a week spotted on an Alberta ski hill
The ski season at Marmot Basin near Jasper wrapped on a high note Sunday as a grizzly wandered onto the slopes.
Closing ceremonies for the '15/16 season <a href="https://twitter.com/MarmotBasin">@MarmotBasin</a> this wknd. Photos by the talented Mike Gere! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/myjasper?src=hash">#myjasper</a> <a href="https://t.co/5dErSbcRQB">pic.twitter.com/5dErSbcRQB</a>
—@TourismJasperAfter the bear was spotted, staff stopped nearby lifts while the ski patrol set up a perimeter to keep skiers well back from the animal, which photographer Mike Gere estimates was about a year old.
While bear sightings are common at Marmot Basin in the summer when the area is closed to the public, this is the first time Gere, a 17-year veteran in the area, has ever heard of one showing up while the ski hill was still open.
Following protocol, Marmot staff called Parks Canada, who quickly arrived to help "shoo" the bear out of bounds, hill administrator Carissa Pampling said Monday.
Marmot closed for the season on Sunday, about a week earlier than usual, due to the warm weather.
"It was a nice end to the season," Pampling said.
The guest appearance comes just a week after a grizzly bear affectionately known as Olivia walked onto a ski run at Lake Louise.