Overview
- An Instagram video filmed on February 18 shows what appears to be a sow and two cubs sprinting across Northstar Resort’s Woodcutter trail in North Lake Tahoe.
- Videographer Barclay Weyhrauch said bystanders initially thought the figures were people or dogs before yelling for skiers to stop as the bears passed.
- Bear expert Chris Servheen identified the animals as almost certainly American black bears, noting grizzlies are absent from California and midwinter sightings in deep snow are rare.
- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it is looking into the close call at the resort.
- CDFW and the Tahoe Interagency Bear Team explain that bears accessing trash, pet food or feeders may remain active through winter and urge people to secure attractants to prevent habituation and problem-bear outcomes.