Bears at Heavenly Resort, located in California and Nevada, are not an unusual sight. However, a rare and dramatic incident occurred on December 8, 2024, when a bear collided with a snowboarder on the slopes.
The situation turned even more shocking when Lakshana’s friend, Hunter Martinez, collided with the bear. Fortunately, the bear quickly ran off, and Martinez was unharmed. Lakshana stopped to check on him, and Martinez simply gave him a fist bump before continuing down the slope.
Bears have been spotted at Heavenly before, but such close encounters are extremely rare. Wildlife experts advise skiers and snowboarders to keep their distance if they spot a bear on the mountain. Approaching wildlife can be dangerous for both humans and animals.
If you encounter a bear, immediately alert ski patrol. California Department of Fish and Wildlife experts say that some bears no longer hibernate due to the availability of human-provided food. While seeing a bear on the slopes can be exciting, they warn against getting too close.
