A thrilling black bear encounter occurred on the slopes of Keystone Ski Resort on April 6, when skier Brian O’Neal narrowly avoided a charging bear. The video footage captures O’Neal skiing down the mountain when a black bear suddenly appears from the right, charging straight toward him. Fortunately, O’Neal managed to pivot his skis and quickly stop, narrowly avoiding a collision with the animal before it disappeared into the nearby forest.
This unexpected black bear encounter took place on the green, beginner-level run called Last Chance, just as O’Neal and his son were warming up for their first run of the day. The bear appeared so suddenly that O’Neal didn’t immediately recognize what was coming at him.
How the Black Bear Encounter Unfolded
O’Neal, a resident of Greenwood Village, described the situation as happening in an instant. “It happened so quickly,” he recalled. “I was just trying not to run into it.” At first, O’Neal wasn’t sure what the fast-moving creature was, but when he caught sight of it in his peripheral vision, he realized it was a black bear.
Nathan Lynch, an employee at Keystone Resort, was fortunate to capture the moment on his phone. Lynch, who had heard about the bear sighting earlier that day, raced down the mountain with friends to find the bear. They eventually spotted the black bear walking through the trees, just moments before it crossed paths with O’Neal. Lynch’s quick thinking allowed him to record the encounter on his camera.
Public Awareness After the Black Bear Encounter
Following the close call, Keystone Resort emphasized the importance of being mindful of wildlife while recreating outdoors. “When enjoying nature in the mountains, it’s crucial to stay aware of your surroundings and respect wildlife by observing from a safe distance,” stated a spokesperson for Vail Resorts. Guests were reminded to report any wildlife sightings to the Keystone emergency service team to ensure everyone’s safety.
Despite the shock of the black bear encounter, O’Neal ended up having a memorable final day at Keystone Ski Resort. “It was a crazy fun last day of skiing,” he said, reflecting on the surprising adventure that capped off his ski season.
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Source: www.people.com
