Family of Bears Interrupts Ski Session at North Lake Tahoe Resort

Skiers stunned as bears dash across slopes at Northstar Ski Resort in Truckee, California.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A group of skiers at Northstar Ski Resort in Truckee, California were surprised when a family of bears, including a larger bear and two cubs, suddenly ran across the slopes where they were skiing. Bystander Barclay Weyhrauch captured video of the unexpected encounter, which showed the skiers stopping in their tracks as the bears quickly crossed the area.

Why it matters

The Northstar ski resort is located in prime black bear habitat in the North Lake Tahoe region, which has seen an increase in bear sightings and interactions with humans as development encroaches on natural bear territories. This incident highlights the need for skiers and resorts to be aware of and prepared for potential wildlife encounters, especially in areas known to have active bear populations.

The details

In the video, the bears can be seen running swiftly across the ski slope as skiers and snowboarders watch in surprise. Weyhrauch said the group initially thought the moving figures were humans or large dogs before realizing they were actually bears. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating the close encounter.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Barclay Weyhrauch

The individual who captured video footage of the bears crossing the ski slope at Northstar Ski Resort.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency that is investigating the bear encounter at the ski resort.

Northstar Ski Resort

The ski resort located in Truckee, California where the bear family was spotted crossing the slopes.

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What they’re saying

“We thought they were humans at first. Then we thought they were big dogs, then everyone realized they were bears and everyone started yelling 'stop!'”

— Barclay Weyhrauch (ABC7News)

What’s next

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating the incident to determine if any additional safety measures or warnings need to be put in place at the Northstar Ski Resort to prevent future bear encounters.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for skiers and snowboarders to be aware of their surroundings and the potential for wildlife encounters, especially in areas known to have active bear populations. Ski resorts should also have protocols in place to quickly alert guests and respond to any wildlife sightings to ensure the safety of both visitors and the animals.