What is the best time to see bears?

The best time to see bears around the Lake Louise Summer Sightseeing Gondola and Whitehorn Mountain is generally early in the summer sightseeing season, particularly from June through July. Bears can still be seen later in summer and into fall, but their locations and feeding patterns change as different foods become available.

Early morning and later afternoon are often good periods for wildlife watching. Bears may be more active when temperatures are cooler and visitor activity is lower. That said, grizzlies can appear at virtually any time of day, so a midday gondola ride can still produce a sighting.

During late spring and early summer, bears often spend time feeding on fresh vegetation in open areas. The grassy ski runs and openings on Whitehorn Mountain can provide feeding habitat, which is one reason the sightseeing lift has developed a reputation for occasional grizzly sightings.

As summer progresses, bears increasingly follow their food sources. When berries and other seasonal foods become available, they may spend more time away from the open slopes visible from the lift. Consequently, bear-viewing opportunities can vary considerably from week to week.

For the best chance, choose the open-air chairlift when it is operating and conditions are suitable. It provides an unobstructed view directly onto the mountainside. The enclosed gondola can also provide excellent wildlife viewing and is the better choice when weather is poor or you prefer an enclosed cabin.

Bring binoculars and continuously scan the grassy slopes, avalanche paths and edges of the forest. A grizzly can be surprisingly difficult to notice when feeding among vegetation, even when it isn't particularly far away.

Most importantly, bear sightings are never guaranteed. Whitehorn Mountain is genuine wild habitat rather than a managed wildlife attraction. That unpredictability is part of what makes seeing a wild grizzly from the lift such a memorable experience. Book the Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola & Standish ChairliftBooking the Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola & Standish Chairlift Admission includes All taxes, fees and handling charges. Banff Gondola Home