Bear Aware

Silver Star Mountain Resort is located in a prime black bear habitat and many of our hikers and bikers will often encounter a bear during their stay at Silver Star.

If you do see a bear it is very important to keep your distance, remain calm and understand how to behave around the bear before grabbing your camera and trying to capture the moment. Please take a moment to read this information from before hiking or biking at Silver Star.


If you encounter a bear... be bear smart. You can tell how a bear is feeling about your presence by reading their body language.

A relaxed bear is one that doesn't pay much attention to you. They may not have seen you, or you may be far enough away that they do not perceive you as a threat.

  • What to do: Stay still and enjoy the show (from a safe distance). Never try to get closer or disturb the bear.

When a bear stands up on their back legs, they are likely curious or trying to identify you.

  • What to do: Talk quietly to let the bear know that you are not a threat. Slowly increase your distance from the bear.
  • Remember that bears are wild animals and while they may tolerate your presence, they should never be approached or fed.

Bears will let you know you've stressed or disturbed them by displaying any or all of the followiing behavior: moving away, climbing a tree, salivating, yawning, skittishness, jumping at sounds or movement.

A female black bear will often tree her cub(s) when she feels threatened. If you have invaded a bear's personal space, they will huff (expel air loudly) and clack their teeth. Bears may also slap the ground, lunge towards you or make short charges.

  • What to do: Back away, leave the area and allow the bear their personal space.

Bears are highly intelligent animals, sensitive to their surroundings and experiences with people.


  • All bears can be dangerous in certain situations. Be especially carefull around a mother with her cub(s).
  • If you see a cub, a mother bear will likely be nearby. Slowly leave the area to make sure the mother does not perceive you as a threat.
  • Bears are fast runners - on the flast, uphill or downhill. They can run 15m per second which is fast than an Olympic sprinter.
  • Bears are strong swimmers and good climbers.
  • Bears have good eyesight, good hearing and a keen sense of smell.
  • Bears generally avoid contact with humans, but in rare cases they may approach hikers or campers, especially when they are trying to access your food.

Please report bear sightings on trails to Patrol.

For more information on Bears please visit