Churchill is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights
Churchill, Manitoba is a remarkable place that is known around the world for its congregation of polar bears in the fall and its thousands of beluga whales in the summer. Savvy travellers and nature lovers also know that it is one of the top places in the world to see the northern lights. There are certain criteria that must be met in order to see the lights, and from February to March, Churchill frequently checks all the boxes. There must be an increase in solar storms on the sun, there must be clear skies, you must be located in the Auroral Oval and there must be a high KP index. Phew. The good news is, Churchill is situated beneath the Auroral Oval and therefore has a significantly higher chance of meeting these requirements as it only needs a KP index of 1 or higher. The TLDR version of this is that Churchill wins when it comes to beating the serendipitous odds of the Aurora Borealis.
As it happens, multi-course dinners go well with the Aurora Borealis
If seeing the northern lights wasn't once-in-a-lifetime enough for you, tack on one of the world's most unique dinner reservations and experience dining beneath the Aurora Borealis with Dan's Diner. Offered exclusively by Frontiers North, this dining adventure begins aboard the massive Tundra Buggy® that will carry you across the frozen Churchill River to the warmth of Dan's Diner: an enclosed dining hall with panoramic windows and skylights that are optimal for viewing the lights as you dine. Surprise, surprise: gourmet food pairs excellent with Nature's most dazzling display.
You can also experience dogsledding, snowshoeing and more
While your nights on a trip like this are more than spoken for, the daytime is wide open to experience some of the cultural adventures that Churchill has to offer. Try dogsledding with renowned musher Dave Daley of Wapusk Adventures, or strap on a pair of snowshoes for a trek along the frozen shores of the Hudson Bay. The Itsanitaq Museum holds one of the finest and oldest collections of Inuit artifacts in the world, dating from Pre-Dorset (1700 B.C.) through Dorset, Thule and modern Inuit times. Plan to spend at least an hour marvelling at the tiny and intricate carvings displayed.
While driving through town, you may notice a number of colourful murals painted on the walls of businesses, apartment buildings and more. These are the Churchill Sea Walls, a collection of 18 murals painted by artists from around the world to raise awareness on how to protect the ocean.
And while the polar bears are long gone and hunting on the ice (though, if you're doing a DIY trip, you will still need a bear guide just in case), you may very well see other types of wildlife such as snowy owls, ptarmigan and Arctic fox.
There are a variety of packages and options available when planning your trip
There are a number of packages to choose from when planning your trip to see the northern lights in Churchill. The Churchill Northern Studies Centre provides an affordable option for those seeking a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
Being 30 minutes outside of the town of Churchill, it also provides ideal conditions for viewing the night sky.
Frontiers North Adventures' signature Northern Lights and Winter Nights Adventure departs from Winnipeg, offering northern lights viewing in the cozy Aurora Lounge, which is situated away from town on the other side of the frozen Churchill River.
Northern lights trips are also available with Nat Hab, giving you exclusive access to the warm Aurora Pod that has been specifically designed for watching the Aurora Borealis with 360-degree views of the sky. There are two Nat Hab packages to select from: the Northern Lights & Arctic Cultures tour and the Northern Lights Photography tour.
If you prefer to plan your own trip and do activities at your own leisure, consider Nights Under Lights, a guided evening photography outing based at a yurt in the middle of the boreal forest.
Seeing the Northern Lights will change your perspective forever
