Bear Safety
This event takes place in bear country. Please take all the necessary precautions including educating yourself about the appropriate actions in the event of a bearing siting. We anticipate having lots of runners in the forest will cause the bears should there be any to move farther away. Vettors (advanced runners) will inform officials if they site any bears and their running through the forest will help move the bears away. Children will start after adults are on the courses.
Bear Safety Information
The Government of Alberta has several different resources to access to improve your knowledge of bears:
Bear Spray
How to carry bear spray during your race
We recommend two options:
How to transport bear spray in your vehicle:
In hot weather, avoid leaving a canister of bear spray in your car. Do not store or transport a canister of bear spray in a passenger compartment. If you do have to carry it in a passenger compartment, then store it in many layers of plastic bags/Ziploc bags or in a closed container. The Zodiak Bear Spray safety travel container is a decent option.
Bear Spray Purchase
Bear spray canisters and carriers can be purchased at most outdoor stores, including Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Bear Spray Rentals
A limited number of bear spray rentals (scatBelt & bear spray canister combo) are available through Trail Sports (at the Canmore Nordic Centre). These must be booked directly from Trail Sports.
Bear Safety Information
The Government of Alberta has several different resources to access to improve your knowledge of bears:
- Government of Alberta: Alberta BearSmart: https://www.alberta.ca/bears-and-outdoor-recreation.aspx
- Government of Alberta: Bear SmartProgram Manual
- Government of Alberta: How to use Bear Spray YouTube video
Bear Spray
- Carrying bear spray in trainings and races is recommended for all adults.
- Most FWOC club members run with bear spray in the forest.
How to carry bear spray during your race
We recommend two options:
- Bear Cozy – a bear spray holder that fits directly into the water bottle holder on your waist-belt (or back pack or water bottle holder on your mountain bike).
- Scat Belt – a special waist belt designed to carry bear spray. http://www.scatbelt.com/
How to transport bear spray in your vehicle:
In hot weather, avoid leaving a canister of bear spray in your car. Do not store or transport a canister of bear spray in a passenger compartment. If you do have to carry it in a passenger compartment, then store it in many layers of plastic bags/Ziploc bags or in a closed container. The Zodiak Bear Spray safety travel container is a decent option.
Bear Spray Purchase
Bear spray canisters and carriers can be purchased at most outdoor stores, including Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Bear Spray Rentals
A limited number of bear spray rentals (scatBelt & bear spray canister combo) are available through Trail Sports (at the Canmore Nordic Centre). These must be booked directly from Trail Sports.