The literature about the Spirit Bear and the Kermode bear is filled with nonsense. First, the Kermode is NOT a Spirit Bear; second, while the Kermode may or may not be a sub species, the Spirit Bear is NOT a sub species of the Black Bear. Sigh…, the hyperbole and touristy schlock seems endless.
The name, Black Bear, is somewhat unfortunate for not all Black Bears are black. As with human hair colour, these bears come on a variety of colours (called colour phases): black, chocolate, cinnamon, white and everything in between. They do not represent different sub species; indeed, a single litter may contain cubs of different colours. Mind you, white (or cream) bears are the exception everywhere. They are most common on the North Coast of BC among a group of Black Bears styled the Kermode, but even there, they are rare (fewer than 10%). Around here, they are rarer still, but they are seen.
The Spirit Bear is defined (by the Government) as a white colour phase Black Bear—wherever it is seen in the Province. And they are seen throughout the Province. Further, not only is the Spirit Bear a provincial symbol, but it is protected (from hunting).
The Kootenay-Lake Website offers a discussion and more pictures of the local black bear.
Below is a picture of a local Spirit Bear cub, taken by Doug Thorburn in July, 2010,