Skiers at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort got an unexpected treat as the local grizzly bear, Boo, emerged from his winter slumber, poking his head through the fresh snow on March 12. After months of hibernation, the 22-year-old bear slowly clawed his way through the powder, captured in a breathtaking moment on video. Groggy and sluggish, Boo paused to take in the mountain scenery and the first signs of spring before venturing out intermittently over the next few weeks, according to the British Columbia resort.
The management at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort cautioned that Boo, the resident grizzly bear, would be gradually acclimating to being above ground and might not be able to move far from sight of skiers and visitors, despite his desire for privacy. He is expected to spend approximately an hour outside his den each day before returning to the darkness. Caretakers urged everyone to remain quiet around Boo’s habitat to allow him to adjust with minimal disturbance. Boo has been a resident of the 22-acre resort since he was left orphaned in 2003.