Webcam Captures Moment a Bear Uses Chairlift as a Scratching Post

A webcam at Sierra-at-Tahoe just caught the off-season content we didn't know we needed. A massive black bear, sporting the classic Tahoe cinnamon-colored coat, decided to use an idle chairlift for a much-needed scratch.

Summer in Lake Tahoe is in full swing, bringing out the bikes, boats, and of course, the bears. While many local bears are accustomed to the summer crowds, there are still plenty of wild ones roaming the Sierra. This one decided to wander onto the slopes at Sierra-at-Tahoe for a hilarious moment caught on camera.

In the clip, the bear strolls up to the chairlift, gives it a good sniff, and then proceeds to rub its head and ears against the metal frame, clearly finding the perfect spot to relieve an itch.

The resort, which was heavily impacted by the Caldor Fire in 2022, has been hard at work reforesting its slopes, having recently planted 16,000 new trees. It seems the local wildlife is already making itself at home amongst the recovering landscape.

While this cinnamon-colored black bear might be mistaken for a grizzly by tourists, it's important to remember they are still wild animals. As Tahoe Bears, a local educational resource, points out, black bears will typically avoid humans, but it's crucial to give them space and never approach them.