“Does anyone wish to stay out later or should we head back to the hotel?” Mark Dunsmuir, our guide from Frontiers North, asks the group. It’s our last night in Northern Manitoba searching for the aurora borealis, and we are exhausted from an early morning and late night the previous day. It’s 11:15 pm, and all of us are napping in the Tundra Buggy. I’ll admit, I’m ready to head back and sleep in a comfortable bed rather than the Tundra Buggy seats. It’s been an overcast day, and I’m convinced the Manitoba northern lights won’t come out tonight. A couple of people speak up and say they’d like to go outside one last time to do some stargazing. I’m a little disappointed, but I can’t blame them. With very little light pollution, the stars are absolutely amazing here, and the clouds have cleared up enough to see the stars.
I manage to doze off for fifteen minutes and am awoken by the excited voice of Mark telling us that the northern lights are out. Everyone frantically puts on their snowsuits and heads outside for the show. As I stumble out into the frigid night, the air sharp against my face, the sight that greets me is nothing short of magical. The sky itself has come alive, dancing in waves of green, purple, and pink. Standing under the vast night sky, I realize some experiences are worth every bit of discomfort and waiting. This display of nature’s sheer beauty and power, witnessed in the company of strangers who’ve become companions in adventure, is a clear reminder of why we explore: to witness the wonders of the world with our own eyes, to feel small under the vast sky yet connected to something infinitely larger than ourselves.
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Why Churchill, Manitoba is Ideal for Northern Lights Viewing
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, are one of nature’s most magnificent spectacles, drawing travelers from around the globe to colder, northern latitudes in hope of catching a glimpse of its beauty. The small town of Churchill, Manitoba, sits below the aurora oval band, where the northern lights are most active. “We’ve had visitors come to Churchill who have already visited places like Iceland and many other destinations in Europe and haven’t had luck with seeing the northern lights,” Mark explains. “But when they come to Churchill, they finally see them.”
Related: Interested in Northern Lights viewing? Read our post Northern Lights Edmonton – Viewing the Aurora Borealis
Tours Departing from Calgary, Alberta
Frontiers North Adventures launched their inaugural Northern Lights tour departing from Calgary this past March. This new tour makes it even easier for guests to experience the diverse offerings of Churchill. Frontiers North will offer a Calgary departure tour in each season. Guests will be able to board a direct chartered flight to Churchill, bypassing the need to connect through Winnipeg, allowing for more time to immerse themselves in the wild landscapes of northern Manitoba.
What Else is There to Do in Churchill, Manitoba?
There’s always a possibility that guests may not see the northern lights due to weather and cloud conditions. Churchill offers a range of unique activities beyond aurora viewing. Guests can enjoy snowshoeing through the boreal forest, touring the local Itsanitaq Museum to learn about the culture of Churchill, dog sledding through the arctic tundra, exploring the local shops in town, and indulging in an evening at Dan’s Diner, an exclusive culinary experience on the Churchill River.
While I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to witness the spectacle of the northern lights, I must admit that the other experiences on our itinerary in Churchill were equally rewarding. Whether or not we were treated to an aurora light show, the charm and diversity of Churchill’s offerings ensured that every moment of our journey was filled with wonder.
Preparing for Your Manitoba Northern Lights Adventure
One of the wonderful parts about booking your tour with Frontiers North Adventures is that they take care of a lot of the preparation so that you can show up and enjoy your experience. Frontiers North offers equipment rentals, including Canada Goose parkas, snow pants, and Baffin boots. I opted to use the rental equipment and can confirm I was kept very warm! Warm socks and gloves are important, as well as a toque. A scarf and/or a Buff or something to cover your face is also essential; the wind can get quite chilly. Packing layers is important so that you stay warm. It’s better to be too warm and have to shed a layer than too cold with nothing else to put on.
Many people are interested in photographing the northern lights while in Churchill and photography is definitely encouraged as long as you are respecting others viewing experiences. We had a knowledgable photographer that gave us a presentation with many valuable tips and tricks for photographing the northern lights. The nice thing about northern lights photography is that whether you are using a smart phone or an expensive camera, you can capture beautiful photographs of the northern lights. If you’re planning to use a smart phone, I would recommend upgrading to a newer model as the cameras have improved greatly, I brought my iPhone 14 pro on this tour and took the majority of my photographs in this post on it. If you plan to shoot on a camera, a high-quality tripod is a must due to the long exposure times required for shooting the northern lights. I was kicking myself because I brought my Sony mirrorless camera (the best travel camera in my opinion) but completely forgot to bring my tripod. At least my iPhone was able to capture some pretty great photographs.
Manitoba Northern Lights, Polar Bears, and Beluga Whales
Churchill is not only a wonderful destination in winter for the northern lights but also in every other season. In the summer, Frontiers North Adventures offers Beluga Whale tours, and in autumn, guests can experience the famous Polar Bear tours, where guests get a close-up view of these amazing animals from the safety of the Tundra Buggy. There are several tour options for each season to make sure guests are getting an experience tailored to their interests and needs.
Accommodations in Churchill, Manitoba
Due to Churchill being a small remote town with a population of only 870 residents, accommodation options are limited. Depending on the tour you book, you will either stay in one of the cozy and clean hotel options in town or at the Tundra Buggy Lodge located at Polar Bear Point, where most of the polar bear population can be found within the Churchill area. Accommodations in the Tundra Buggy Lodge can sleep up to 40 people and are equipped with twin-sized bunk beds, noise-canceling curtains, and earplugs. The neat thing about the Tundra Buggy Lodge is that you can wake up surrounded by polar bears and even possibly fall asleep under the northern lights—you don’t have to head back to Churchill at the end of your day.
For the tour that I took, we stayed at the Tundra Inn (booked for us by Frontiers North). Obviously, you can’t expect luxury accommodations in Churchill, but the hotel was clean, comfortable, and had everything I needed.
A Bucket List Destination!
Witnessing the Northern Lights in Churchill, Manitoba, was an unforgettable experience, and one that has been on my bucket list for many years. After experiencing the charming town of Churchill I am eager to visit again to experience the unique area in the different seasons. If you’re planning a trip to see the aurora borealis, Churchill should be at the top of your list. Visit the Frontiers North Adventures website for more information and to plan your adventure. Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Share your experiences or any tips you have for fellow adventurers in the comments below!
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