Update—Wednesday, June 25:
Operations at Whistler Blackcomb are returning to normal after multiple reports of cougar activity this week.
"In consultation with the Conservation Officer Service, we have reopened the Blackcomb Ascent Trail, Blackcomb bike trails and Ziptrek Ecotour operations on Blackcomb Mountain," a spokesperson said.
"Operations across both mountains have resumed in full."
Meanwhile, Conservation Officers are now responding to in the Singing Pass trail area of Garibaldi Park in Whistler.
The public is asked to avoid the Singing Pass area "for their own safety," a COS spokesperson said.
No one was injured in the latest report, which follows multiple incidents over the last several weeks of two cougars acting aggressively in the Whistler area, "including chasing, stalking and being in close proximity to mountain bikers and hikers," the spokesperson said. "This is unusual and concerning cougar behaviour that has led to several trail closures."
Reports of cougar conflicts or aggressive cougar behaviour can be made to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. For safety tips and resources, visit .
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Update—Tuesday, June 24:
Portions of Blackcomb Mountain will remain closed Wednesday as officials work to address cougar activity at Whistler Blackcomb (WB).
"We continue to work with the Conservation Officer Service to address ongoing cougar activity in the Ascent Trail area of Blackcomb Mountain. As a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, this area, along with the Blackcomb biking trails, will remain closed until further notice," a WB spokesperson said Tuesday night, June 24. "We appreciate your patience and understanding, and will provide updates as needed."
Conservation Officers with K-9 companions in tow continued their efforts to try and locate two cougars in the Blackcomb area on Tuesday, and even responded to a report of a grizzly bear (which turned out to be a cinnamon-phase black bear). One reported cougar sighting was determined to be coyotes, but no actual cougars were located.
COs and their K-9s will continue their search Wednesday, the spokesperson said.
"Since Friday night, CO’s have responded to multiple reports of cougars chasing, stalking, acting aggressively and being in close proximity to mountain bikers and hikers in Whistler, which led to closures of several trails," they said. "These incidents follow recent aggressive cougar activity at Garibaldi Park, which led to the temporary closure of Rubble Creek trail. The COS believes these are the same cougars."
CO’s continue to monitor and assess cougar activity and will "respond as necessary to ensure public safety," the spokesperson said.
Reports of cougar conflicts or aggressive cougar behaviour can be made to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. For safety tips and resources, visit .
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Update—9:30 p.m., Monday, June 23:
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will reopen in full tomorrow, June 24.
"In consultation with the Conservation Officer Service, we will reopen Creekside and Garbanzo Zones in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and the Kadenwood area of Creekside, tomorrow (Tuesday)," a Whistler Blackcomb spokesperson said on Monday evening. "The Ascent Trail and biking trails on Blackcomb Mountain will remain closed until further notice as we continue to address ongoing cougar activity in the areas. We will provide updates as needed."
Reports of cougar conflicts or aggressive cougar behaviour can be made to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. For safety tips and resources, visit .
Update—Monday, June 23:
Portions of Whistler Blackcomb will remain closed until further notice after several reports of aggressive cougar behaviour on both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
"Conservation Officers are in the Blackcomb Mountain area with agency K-9’s today as they continue to investigate concerning cougar activity," said a spokesperson for the COS.
"No cougars have been located at this time. Until further notice, closures remain in place to ensure public safety. For information on closures, visit the Whistler Blackcomb website."
A spokesperson for Whistler Blackcomb said the mountain operator is working with the COS "to address ongoing cougar activity in the areas of Creekside and Garbanzo Zones of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and the Ascent Trail on Blackcomb Mountain.
"As a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, these areas will remain closed—along with the Blackcomb biking trails and Kadenwood area in Creekside—until further notice. We will provide updates as needed."
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Update—Sunday, June 22:
According to Whistler Blackcomb, more areas are being temporarily closed due to cougar activity on both mountains.
"We are working with the Conservation Officer Service to address cougar activity in the area of the Ascent Trail on Blackcomb Mountain," a spokesperson said. "As a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, the Ascent Trail and biking trails on Blackcomb, along with Creekside and Garbo Zones in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park are closed until further notice. We will provide updates as needed."
A spokesperson for the COS confirmed conservation officers are investigating "concerning cougar activity" on Blackcomb.
"COs responded to the Ascent Trail area shortly after 11 a.m. today (June 22) following a report of two cougars in close proximity to hikers. The cougars were not deterred by their attempts to scare them away. No one was injured during this incident," the spokesperson said, adding COs seached the area, but no cougars were seen.
"This incident follows aggressive cougar activity at the nearby Whistler Mountain Bike Park over the weekend, where mountain bikers were stalked and pursued by cougars. Stalking, chasing and being in close proximity with people is unusual and concerning cougar behaviour."
The COS believes the cougars at Whistler Blackcomb are the same cougars that resulted in a to Garibaldi Lake last week.
"COs are working closely with Whistler Blackcomb staff, who have closed affected areas to ensure public safety. For information on closures, visit the ," the spokesperson said.
"COs are continuing to monitor and assess cougar activity and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety."
Check back with Pique for updates.
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The Creekside and Garbanzo Zones of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park are closed today, June 21, due to "aggressive cougar activity," after a pair of separate incidents on June 20.
A spokesperson for the COS said no one was injured in the incidents, but officials are investigating.
"In one incident, a mountain biker was approached by a cougar. The cougar disengaged when other bikers arrived but stayed in the area," the spokesperson said.
"In the second incident, a mountain biker was chased by a cougar for approximately 350 metres before falling. He threw rocks at the cougar, which also remained in the area."
Conservation Officers responded and searched the area, but didn't see any cougars.
"In consultation with Whistler Blackcomb, partial closures of the park are in effect to ensure public safety. For information on closures, visit the ," the spokesperson said, adding COs remain in the area today to "monitor and assess" cougar activity.
The incidents come a week after a popular trail to Garibaldi Lake was in the area.
In that instance, several hikers had to be escorted out by COS and BC Parks staff.
Reports of cougar conflicts or aggressive cougar behaviour can be made to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
For more information on how to stay safe if you see a cougar, visit: .
