Just back from my highly enjoyable family vacation in Whistler. My whole family had a great time. Of course, I took my traditional bear tour. I enjoy doing a bear tour every time I stay in Whistler. This time I took the 6:00 AM Whistler Photo Safari’s bear tour at Whistler Olympic Park. The guide, Bronte, was amazing, friendly and knowledgeable. The scenery was stunning, the vehicle was very comfortable and I was the only passenger. (It is also great to have a personalized tour!). There was only one small hiccup - no bears! One owl and 5 squirrels but 0 bears. I guess the bears were taking a coffee break that day. I hear the bear union local 99 are very strict in making sure their members get their morning coffee. Of the many bear safaris I have been on, (I have been on many) this is the first time we never spotted ANY bears. Late August is not the best time for bear safaris as the bears tend to stay deep in the forest hunting for berries. I think what I impressed me the most is that when I called later that day pretending to be a new customer, they admitted they saw no bears on the morning and afternoon tours, and stated that at this time of year seeing bears is 50/50. They didn’t try to con me to get my money. Honesty is the best policy. The question is, would I takes another Whistler Photo Safari? Yes I will! I enjoyed myself and on a previous Photo Safari - they showed me a mother bear an two cubs - so there ARE bears out there. (Hopefully, the next time, their coffee break will over when I get there!)
The only bear we saw on our 2019 Whistler Trip was while eating at my favourite Squamish restaurant, “The Watershed” (It has great food with an amazing view. I would strongly recommend it & no, they did not pay me to say it.) Across the river, a bear just sauntering as if it owned the river and all I had with my phone to capture it instead of my good camera.