Mountain biking in Whistler typically kicks off with excitement on the first official summer day, but that’s not the situation this weekend.
A significant section of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park was shut down due to cougar sightings in the area.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service, they received reports of “two separate incidents around 7 p.m. Friday night involving one or more cougars,” their statement states.
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In one case, a mountain biker was chased by a cougar for about 350 meters before falling and using stones to scare it away.
In another incident, a cougar approached a mountain biker, who then fled after other cyclists arrived, but the cougar remained nearby.
Luckily, no injuries were reported during these encounters.
As a precaution, the creekside and Garbonzo zones of the bike park will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.
According to a statement, “In collaboration with Whistler Blackcomb, partial park closures are in place to prioritize public safety. For details on closures, please check the park’s website.”
This closure follows a recent incident where BC Parks closed a well-frequented trail near Garibaldi Lake after hikers experienced a close encounter with a cougar near Rubble Creek trail.
That trail is located about 20 kilometers away from the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
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