Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - October 1, 2020, Winnipeg, Manitoba Getting to Churchill Churchill is open to visitors. Most package options will include transportation from Winnipeg to Churchill, via air or train. For those who prefer a bit more independence in their travels, there are some options for the DIY traveller. Calm Air International offers two-hour flights four times per week between Winnipeg and Churchill. Or opt for the scenic route on VIA Rail’s Winnipeg-Churchill line that traverses over 1,500 km from the prairies to the tundra during the two-night journey. Another option is to make the eight- hour drive from Winnipeg to Thompson, park your vehicle and then go directly to the train station to hop aboard a VIA Rail train to complete the trek up to Churchill. The Polar Bear Capital of the World During October and November in Manitoba, all eyes turn north to Churchill. The sleepy frontier town (population 900) along the shores of Hudson Bay transforms into a hotspot for wildlife-seeking travellers geared up to witness the annual migration of polar bears onto the sea ice. Churchill, nicknamed ‘the polar bear capital of the world’, is the most accessible place on the planet to view polar bears in the wild, and while bears can be seen any time from July through to November, it’s the autumn months that are traditionally considered prime viewing. The normally solitary polar bears, who have been lazing about all summer long, start to socialize along the shoreline as the cold weather descends, eager for the sea ice to form so they can resume hunting for seals until the spring thaw in June. There are a variety of tours available for viewing polar bears in Churchill in October and November, and deciding on which one is best for you depends on your level of adventure, your desire for exclusivity and your budget. Book Today @travelmanitoba Tundra Day Tripping If you’re taking care of your own transportation, you can sign up for one-day polar bear tours aboard a massive tundra vehicle with one of two tour companies: Frontiers North Adventures or Great White Bear Tours. Day tours with a knowledgeable guide and driver generally run from sun up to sun down, 7 am to 5 pm, with a light lunch aboard the vehicle. Prices are around $500 per person. Be sure to plan ahead for accommodations. Options include the Churchill Hotel, Iceberg Inn, Polar Inn & Suites, Seaport Hotel, Lazy Bear Lodge, Tundra Inn, Aurora Inn, Polar Bear Bed and Breakfast, and Blue Sky Bed and Breakfast. Rates during polar bear season can start at $189 per night for a basic room. Or, forgo overnighting in Churchill, but still enjoy a day out on the tundra with polar bears by joining Heartland International Travel & Tours’ Churchill Polar Bear Day Tours from Winnipeg. Prices are around $1,600 and include round trip airfare between Winnipeg- Churchill, a seat aboard the Tundra Buggy®, lunch and a knowledgeable guide. Multi-Day Bears Travellers seeking more time communing with polar bears can look to a couple key tour operators in town: Frontiers North Adventures and Lazy Bear Expeditions. The framework of these classic polar bear include overnighting at a hotel in town and spending at minimum two days out on the tundra aboard customized vehicles viewing polar bears. In addition to plenty of time to watch and photograph polar bears, guides will take you around town for a tour of Churchill’s natural and cultural history attractions, along with an introductory dog sledding adventure at one of the town’s sled dog kennels: Bluesky Expeditions or Wapusk Adventures. Those planning a trip outside of a package tour can also book a dog sledding excursion directly. Another package option is a learning vacation with the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. You’ll stay at an active research station, spend time on the tundra watching the bears, contribute to monitoring their behaviour and learn from bear biologists during evening presentations. Go to manito.ba/churchill2020 to book your 2020 Churchill package today! PH OT O BY G EO RG E FI SC HE R PH OT OG RA PH Y PH OT O BY G EO RG E FI SC HE R PH OT OG RA PH Y PH OT O BY W IL LI M A AU Churchill Northern Studies Centre Package includes meals and accommodations at active research centre. churchillscience.ca Frontiers North Adventures Single or multi-day tours aboard the iconic Tundra Buggy®. ComeToChurchill.com Great White Bear Tours Guided day tours include lunch on the tundra and transportation to and from the launch site. greatwhitebeartours.com Heartland International Travel & Tours One-day trips to Churchill, flights from Winnipeg included. heartlandtravel.ca Lazy Bear Expeditions Packages include polar bear viewing and accommodation at the cozy Lazy Bear Lodge. lazybearexpeditions.com Calm Air calmair.com VIA Rail viarail.ca Be Safe in Churchill To ensure the safety of visitors and residents in Churchill, operators have put a number of procedures in place, including: • Mandatory mask use aboard any flight or train to Churchill or transportation within town • Mandatory mask use during certain portion of tours when physical distancing cannot be maintained • Enhanced cleaning of vehicles and accommodations • Access to hand sanitizer and handwashing stations Please refer to each individual business for a complete list of their COVID-19 policies and procedures. G R EA T WH ITE BEAR TO U R S - H O M E O F THEMIGHTY PO LA R R O V E R - ;