Churchill
The Polar Bear Capital of the World is the only human settlement where polar bears can be observed in the wild. The bears tip the scale at over 1,300 pounds, stand 10 feet tall and can
move with surprising speed and agility. Best viewing time is October to early November.
Churchill is also famous with birders - some 250 species of birds including the rare Ross Gull, nest or pass through on their yearly migrations.
In summer, white beluga whales surface and plunge in the blue-green waters of the Churchill
River. You’ll be within talking distance of the most vocal whales in the world. More than 3,000 beluga whales come in early July to feed and calve. Seals can also be seen in the harbour and caribou are frequently sighted along the coast.
Churchill, population 1,000, is accessible by air or the Hudson Bay Railway line, which was built over permafrost and muskeg in 1929 and required a crew of 3,000 to complete. The two-night, one-day trip on VIA Rail from Winnipeg to Churchill (1,600 km/1,000 mi.) provides comfortable bedrooms or roomettes and fine Manitoba cuisine in the dining car. Calm Air and Kivalliq Air run regular scheduled air service from Winnipeg, Thompson and Gillam year-round.
