Move over, holiday skaters, there’s a new winter athlete in town, and he’s got four legs and zero tickets. Charlie, the local black bear celebrity, decided to kick off Heavenly Ski Resort’s holiday season with an unauthorized ice rink performance that’s got everyone talking.

A Bear’s Day Out

Before the Shops at Heavenly Village could officially open their outdoor ice rink, Charlie casually strolled in and claimed the entire venue as his personal playground. Spending a solid ten minutes on the ice, this furry local seemed completely unbothered by typical skating etiquette, though we’ll give him props for following the “no shoes” rule.

Local Legend Status

According to Dreu Murin, a spokesperson for the Shops at Heavenly Village, Charlie has become something of a neighborhood legend. “He has become somewhat of a local celebrity, often wandering through the village at night or early mornings on a stroll,” Murin told local media. Apparently, Charlie wasn’t just passing through, he was ready to show off his ice skills.

While the resort emphasizes that visitors should absolutely not interact with Charlie or any local wildlife, this bear’s impromptu performance has become the talk of the Tahoe region. The ice rink officially opened Thursday, with Charlie apparently getting an exclusive pre-show moment.

Heavenly Ski Resort is set to open for skiing and snowboarding on November 21st, but Charlie’s already claiming his winter territory. Just another day in Tahoe, where wildlife doesn’t just coexist with humans, sometimes, they flat-out steal the show.

Remember, wild animals aren’t your winter entertainment: keep a safe distance and let these incredible creatures do their thing. Charlie’s got the ice rink covered, no human intervention needed.