Grizzly 'shooed' away after surprise appearance at Marmot Basin

The skiseason at Marmot Basin near Jasper wrapped on a high note Sundayas a grizzly wandered onto the slopes.

After the bear was spotted, staff stopped nearby lifts while the ski patrol set up a perimeter to keep skiers well back from the animal, which photographer Mike Gere estimates was about a year old.

While bear sightings are common at Marmot Basin in the summer when the area is closed to the public, this is the first timeGere, a 17-year veteran in the area,has ever heard of one showing up whilethe ski hill was still open.

Following protocol, Marmot staff called Parks Canada, who quickly arrived to help "shoo" the bear out of bounds, hill administratorCarissaPamplingsaid Monday.

Marmot closed for the season on Sunday, about a week earlier than usual, due to the warm weather.

"It was a nice end to the season,"Pamplingsaid.

The guest appearance comes just a week after a grizzly bear affectionately known as Oliviawalkedontoa ski run at Lake Louise.