Shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 6, a black bear known locally as Charlie slipped under barriers and walked onto the freshly prepared ice rink at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, leaving about 10 minutes later. Staff photographed and shared the moment on social media, and spokespeople joked Charlie had made the first tracks. Wildlife officials reminded residents to secure trash, avoid feeding bears and use hazing techniques to prevent conflicts as bears become more active in late fall.
Local Bear 'Charlie' Takes First Spin on Heavenly Village Ice Rink in South Lake Tahoe
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 6, a black bear known locally as Charlie slipped under barriers and walked onto the freshly prepared ice rink at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, leaving about 10 minutes later. Staff photographed and shared the moment on social media, and spokespeople joked Charlie had made the first tracks. Wildlife officials reminded residents to secure trash, avoid feeding bears and use hazing techniques to prevent conflicts as bears become more active in late fall.
01:43 PM, 11/16/2025Society
Bear wanders onto newly opened rink at Heavenly Village
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, a local black bear nicknamed Charlie slipped under the roped barriers and walked onto the seasonal ice skating rink at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, according to local reports.
Employees had just finished setting up the rink when one staffer photographed Charlie standing on the freshly frozen surface. The Shops at Heavenly Village shared the image on Facebook with a lighthearted caption about their unexpected visitor taking a turn on the ice.
“He definitely took advantage of the fresh ice... He got the first tracks in our ice rink,” said Dreu Murin, a spokesperson for the Shops at Heavenly Village, who spoke with the Los Angeles Times.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported Charlie stayed on the ice for about 10 minutes before walking off on his own. He later returned to the area but did not go back onto the rink.
Murin noted that bear sightings are not uncommon in the South Lake Tahoe area in late fall and early winter and that there have been no recent reports of bear attacks. He also joked that the mall might make “Charlie the skating bear” T-shirts and that the bear could become a mascot.
Wildlife safety reminders
The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) and local wildlife officials reminded residents and visitors to take precautions to avoid attracting bears. Recommendations include:
- Secure garbage and compost in bear-resistant containers.
- Never feed bears or leave pet food outdoors.
- Haze bears away from populated areas using approved non-harmful methods.
“Although black bears are generally peaceful, we must remember that they are powerful and wild creatures, and they deserve our respect 100 percent of the time,” said Urban Wildlife Biologist Rebecca Carniello with the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
The playful incident drew smiles from locals and served as a reminder that wild animals often roam near human spaces in search of food and shelter as seasons change. Officials urge everyone to follow guidance to reduce encounters and keep both people and wildlife safe.