Winter Predeparture Information

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

We are very excited to host you on your upcoming winter Northern Lights trip. Located directly beneath the auroral oval, Churchill is one of the best places on Earth to witness the awe-inspiring northern lights. Long, dark winter nights provide the perfect setting for aurora borealis viewing and photography.

Please take a moment to read a Welcome Letter from our CEO.

We ask that you read the following documents before your Churchill adventure. Feel free to email us if you have any further questions!

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PASSPORT

All international travellers are required to have passports to enter Canada. Well before your departure, we invite you to visit the Government of Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration website for more information. All travellers to and from the United States are required to have a passport. For more information, visit travel.state.gov.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel in Canada’s North is not like other parts of the world. You will be travelling to a remote destination. Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage is mandatory. See our full Booking Terms and Conditions.

GRATUITIES

As of 2024 gratuities are included in the price of your trip. Should you wish, you are still able to provide additional gratuities to any individual you interact with.

EXTENDING YOUR TRIP

Your adventure includes both a pre and post night stay in either Winnipeg or Calgary, depending on your itinerary. If you would like to add more time in Winnipeg or Calgary, please contact our office for more information. Please note, these departure cities are itinerary specific and are not interchangeable.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

We suggest you exchange your currency into Canadian dollars prior to your departure. Currency exchange can be completed at most major banks or international airports. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in Churchill at most shops, hotels and restaurants. There is also an ATM at the Royal Bank in the Bayport Plaza.

PACKING

Temperature can vary from -35ºC to -25ºC (-30ºF to -13ºF), but often strong winds can push the temperature down several more degrees (the ‘windchill’ factor). The Tundra Buggies, Dan's Diner and Thanadelthur Lounge are heated, however, dressing in warm layers is the best way to stay comfortable.

Here is a list of items that we recommend you pack for your time in Churchill:

Warm hooded parka
Long underwear
Snow/ski/wind pants
Wool sweater
Wool blend socks
Fleece sweat pants
Turtle-neck shirts
Hooded sweatshirt
Warm gloves/mitts
Thin gloves
Wool hat or toque
Scarf
Warm, rubber-soled boots
Binoculars
Moisturizer and lip balm
Sunglasses
Camera manual
Camera tripod
Reusable, sealable travel mug or water bottle

Checked baggage for all flights must be limited to one piece per guest for a maximum total of 23kg (50lbs), and not be larger than 158cm (62in) (L+W+H). Each guest is allowed 2 carry-on, including personal items, for a maximum combined weight of 9kg (20lbs).

The maximum dimensions permitted for carry on-baggage is 25cm x 40cm x 30cm or 10in x 16in x 12in. Carry on that exceeds these dimensions will be considered checked baggage and will have to be stored in the general baggage compartment. Space permitting and if able to be safely stowed, additional items such as coats, medication bag, a cane, CPAP etc. may be permitted in the cabin.

MAKE PACKING EASY

We are happy to offer our guests outstanding Canada Goose parkas, snow pants and Baffin boots through our Gear Rental Program.

Visit our Gear Rentals page for more information.

WEATHER CONDITIONS/DAY LIGHT

Temperature can vary from -35ºC to -25ºC (-30ºF to -13ºF), but strong winds can make the temperature feel colder (the “windchill factor”).

The days are shorter during February and increase in length as March progresses. You can expect approximately 9-10 hours of daylight during February and March.

THANADELTHUR LOUNGE

Heated for your comfort, the Thanadelthur Lounge provides a relaxed atmosphere with wall-to-wall windows and skylights with panoramic views from inside. It is also equipped with a rooftop observation deck and stairs that lead down to the ground. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.

DAN'S DINER

Across the frozen Churchill River, a remote dining experience awaits at 58° North latitude. Surrounded by wilderness, dine beneath the aurora borealis with a sophisticated, chef-curated 7-course meal featuring regional and local fare.

THE CHURCHILL INUKSHUK

Located directly on Hudson Bay, this large Inukshuk is a popular spot for group photography. Be aware: there are often bear sightings along this shore.

SEAWALLS MURAL PROJECT

Spearheaded by Manitoba artist Kal Barteski, this event transformed abandoned buildings, objects and blank walls around Churchill into beautiful murals to raise awareness for ocean health and conservation. Transportation required for some murals. Multiple locations throughout Churchill.

TOWN CENTRE COMPLEX

Opened in 1976, this expansive structure serves as a focus for many community activities. The Centre includes the municipal offices for The Town of Churchill, the Churchill hospital, Duke of Marlborough School, the public library, as well as a curling rink, arena, swimming pool, cafeteria, bowling alley, indoor playground and theatre.

CAPE MERRY BATTERY [National Historic Site]

A stone battery built on this site in 1746 provided additional protection for Prince of Wales Fort across the Churchill River. It is an excellent location for watching whales, viewing waterfowl or migrating birds or simply enjoying the panoramic view of Hudson Bay. Transportation required. Please note that bear sightings in this area are common. Never walk alone in this area and always be bear aware!

POLAR BEAR HOLDING FACILITY

The Polar Bear Holding Facility in Churchill is referred to by the locals as Polar Bear Jail. If a bear is repeatedly chased from the town it may eventually be captured and put in ‘jail’ for up to 30 days before being released north of the town or out onto the frozen Hudson Bay. Transportation required.

As phone technology continues to evolve our guests have had great success using mobile phones for both photography and videography while on their trips with Frontiers North. It is worth remembering that printing imagery from a mobile phone is still not as good as printing imagery from a camera.

PHONES TO CONSIDER

It is a good bet that if you purchased a smartphone in 2020 onwards your phone will have a decent chance of being capable of capturing the aurora, but as all phones are not created equally, the following is a list of phones where we have seen great aurorae photos captured.

Google Pixel 6 and newer: excellent captures
Samsung GalaxyS21 and newer: excellent captures
iPhone 12 and newer: excellent captures
Google Pixel 5: great captures
iPhone 11: great captures

EQUIPMENT

Cameras

Use a camera that has a shutter speed of minimum 15 seconds and ability to adjust the ISO aperture.

Lenses

A “fast” lens of F2.8 or less is recommended to allow for more light to come in. It’s possible to shoot with a “slower” lens (F4 - 5.6), but this will increase shooting time, ISO and camera noise. Wide angle lenses help to capture sky-wide auroras, but this distorts the images at the edges. Most photographers who pursue astrophotography (or night photography) find an 11mm zoom to be the best option, however if you're looking for a more all around zoom value that isn't specific to astrophotography, consider anything between 11 and 35mm lenses. For non-full frame sensor cameras, this will change the depending crop factor of the camera.

Memory Cards

Make sure you have enough memory card storage with you. Bring extra memory cards and/or have a way to download the images on another storage device, such as a laptop and spare hard drive. It’s common to use 32GB of storage—or more—in a single day. TIP: Take a few smaller cards (four 8GB cards) rather than one big card (32GB or 64GB) unless shooting HD or 4K video continuously. If a card breaks, it’s hard to retrieve images.

Tripod

A tripod is essential to capturing the northern lights. For crisp, clear pictures of the northern lights, you need to have your camera on a stable platform. It is recommended to hang a heavy bag on the tripod to reduce any movement caused by the wind. Use a remote timer or cable* to further reduce vibrations. Last, be sure you’re not moving the tripod around when shooting, especially in snow, as it will result in unclear images.

*in extremely cold temperatures a cable may cause more vibrations, always remember to take test shots.

Extra Batteries

The cold will drain batteries quicker than normal, so keep spares in a warm pocket near your body to help maintain their charge.

Flashlight/Torch/Headlamp

These are important for seeing camera functions and focusing on near subjects. They can also be used to light up subjects. Just be aware of others around you, as they won’t be happy if you shine it at their camera!

External Camera Flash

For the more experienced photographer, lighting a subject area or person may enhance your image.

Camera Set-up

Every brand and style of camera is slightly different. Please read through your camera manual before departing on your trip

In-Camera Menu

It’s recommended you shoot in RAW to obtain the most information possible for editing photos later. Ideally, it’s always best to get your exposures roughly correct at the time of shooting. Chat with your fellow travellers to discuss settings and exposures.

Focus

Focus on the subject lit by your headlamp, or manually focus on the stars using the ‘live view’ screen on the back of the camera.

P (Program) setting

This setting allows the camera to decide optimum settings. It’s the easiest to use, but may not produce the best photos.

Av/A (Aperture Priority) setting

This setting lets the camera decide how long the shutter will be open after you set the aperture. It can be balanced by adjusting ISO until you get the correct exposure.

M (Manual) setting

On this setting, it’s all up to you to adjust the aperture, ISO and shutter speed. It’s recommended to shoot at 11mm zoom, F 2.8, with a 20 second exposure and ISO 2000.

ISO

Start your ISO at around 1600 to 3200 to create a decent photo with fantastic colours.

White Balance

Leave it on auto. You can edit the photo later!

POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL

Frontiers North Adventures has been working with Polar Bears International since 2001. Polar Bears International is the only conservation organization dedicated solely to wild polar bears. Frontiers North supports Polar Bears International through Churchill-based conservation initiatives, including developing and building Tundra Buggy® One, which Polar Bears International uses throughout the autumn polar bear season as a roaming studio enabling them to air their Tundra Connections webcasts worldwide. Tundra Connections allows Polar Bears International to share their polar bear conservation messaging with teachers, students, and lifelong learners around the globe. Partial proceeds from our trips go directly to Polar Bears International.

RAINCOAST CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Frontiers North Adventures has been working with Raincoast's Cetacean Conservation Research Program since 2022. Raincoast Conservation Foundation works in collaboration with Indigenous communities and other organizations to study how cetaceans use sound, to interpret trends and impacts of underwater noise, to evaluate killer whale health and nutrition in the face of ecosystem change, and to understand beluga whale communication and behaviour. Partnering with with Raincoast Conservation Foundation allows Frontiers North to provide their guests with the opportunity to learn about and deepen their understanding of beluga whales and their Arctic ecosystem, their complex vocalizations, and the conservation threats they face.

ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVANCY

Frontiers North Adventures is proud to partner with the Winnipeg-based, Assiniboine Park Conservancy (APC), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing wildlife research and conservation in Manitoba and beyond. Their work supports critical studies on polar bears, beluga whales, and seals—species that define the ecological richness of the Churchill region.

POLAR BEAR ALERT PROGRAM

Although polar bears are typically away on the sea ice during the winter months, wildlife is unpredictable, and it’s good to be prepared no matter which season you travel to Churchill in.

Polar bears spend much of their year roaming the ice of Hudson Bay hunting seals. When the ice begins to melt in July, the bears come ashore and remain on land until the bay freezes over in late November. While on land in the summer, the bears eat little and are quite inactive. But as autumn approaches, they begin to move northward along the coast and congregate where the first winter ice forms. This annual movement brings many bears into the town of Churchill each year.

Manitoba Conservation and Climate operates the Polar Bear Alert Program, which has the following objectives:

To protect people and property from the dangers posed by the presence of polar bears.
To ensure the conservation of polar bears and avoid undue harassment and killing of bears.
To prevent polar bears in the Churchill area from becoming conditioned to scavenging for food or developing other problem behaviours.
To protect Manitoba Conservation staff who work in the Polar Bear Alert Program.