Starters Story
Chase the Northern Lights
It is 2 a.m. and -20° C. The sky is clear and the darkness is thick. A fluorescent green swirl unfurls across the black. Suddenly the entire sky illuminates with ethereal sheets of emerald green. Churchill offers a variety of heated viewing vessels during the winter northern lights season: an Aurora Dome, an Aurora Pod, an Aurora Lounge, or from the open-air observation deck at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Dan’s Diner is a pop-up dining experience on the banks of the frozen Churchill River under the northern lights.
Reel in a Big One
With countless lakes and waterways Manitoba does wilderness fishing very well…and hospitality even better. Fishing adventures at fly-in lodges are more than reeling in the big catch: they are about communing with nature, connecting with Indigenous guides and devouring a fresh shore lunch. In winter, ice fish around the clock in a custom pod where anglers can chill, dine and sleep on the frozen lake, next to their fishing hole.
A Prairie Oasis
Lock Eyes with a Polar Bear in the Wild
Churchill is the most accessible place in the world to view polar bears in the wild. Bear sightings are common July through September, but October and November are prime viewing months as the bears congregate at the shoreline of Hudson Bay waiting for ice to form. Wildlife enthusiasts can view bears from the safety of massive tundra vehicles or on trekking by foot at fly-in tundra lodges. Frontiers North Adventures’ EV Tundra Buggy is the latest development to ensure ethical and sustainable wildlife tourism.
Go off the Beaten Track
Northern Manitoba is epic in natural beauty, full of Indigenous culture, and steeped in Canadiana history. Road trip from Flin Flon to Thompson, also known as Manitoba’s waterfall alley, culminating with a view of powerful Pisew Falls. In Gillam, take a boat journey on the heritage Hayes River to the remote fur trade relic York Factory. Hike ancient glacial eskers at a fly-in wilderness lodge in the ‘land of little sticks’ near Nunavut.
Riding Mountain National Park, or Clear Lake (as the locals call it), is an all-season hub. In summer, eat, shop and sunbathe in the charming Clear Lake town site, or hike Bald Hill for the most scenic views of the park’s backcountry. Wildlife lovers can go for a self-guided driving safari to view bison at Lake Audy. Winter welcomes with kilometres of cross-country, snowshoe, fat biking and ice skating trails. Ice fish and bake bannock in a cozy tent on the frozen lake, or relax at a nordic-style spa. Accommodations range from the family-focused Elkhorn Resort to camping among the trees in a yurt or micro-cabin.
Hike, Bike and the Great Outdoors
Manitoba has 93 protected provincial parks for exploring. Wake up at the lake at an off-the-grid eco-cabin in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Hike over photogenic sand dunes in the desert-like setting of Spruce Woods Provincial Park. Enjoy the isolated seaside vibe and Icelandic heritage of Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park on Lake Winnipeg. New bike trails include the HyLife Back 40 multi-use park in Neepawa and NorthGate Trails near Dauphin.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is extraordinary in its architecture and powerful in its message. Permanent galleries showcase personal stories through interactive, multimedia displays to educate visitors on worldwide human rights issues. The world’s first gallery dedicated to Inuit art is Qaumajuq at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This art museum features a three-storey visible vault of over 5,000 pieces of Inuit art. The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada highlights our remarkable aviation history, educates on the science of flight and inspires future aviators.
Cultural Landmarks
Commune with Belugas
On the Churchill River in July and August visitors get up close to thousands of beluga whales in the wild. In a kayak or on a SUP, get nudged off course by a pod of curious beluga whales. Lazy Bear Expedition’s Matonabee ship allows guests to venture further into the Hudson Bay to view enormous pods.
Park Yourself
Tour The Leaf, an award-winning outdoor garden and lush indoor biome at Assiniboine Park that features Canada’s tallest indoor waterfall. ‘Journey to Churchill’ at the zoo and stand in an underwater viewing tunnel as rescued polar bears from Churchill swim above you. Visit Pooh Gallery to meet Winnipeg’s famous namesake.
Eat your Heart Out
Paddle a Wild River
Sign up for a canoe-camping outing into the backcountry on the Manigotagan River or paddle the Bloodvein River through the ‘land that gives life’ Pimachiowin Aki, a UNESCO world heritage site. The mighty Hayes River is a bucket list adventure that concludes at York Factory.
Innovative kitchens at Nola, Nonsuch Brewing Co., Clementine Café and Passero set the bar high for Winnipeg’s restaurant scene. Trendy food halls such as The Common at The Forks and Hargrave Street Market downtown offer quality bites in a casual atmosphere. Food and brew tours offered by the Exchange District, Downtown and West End Biz Associations are a tasty way to explore neighbourhoods.
Go Ahead, Call us Winterpeg!
Winnipeg embraces its wintery reputation with cool outdoor activities. At The Forks, ice skate or ice bike through the heart of downtown on the world-class Nestaweya River Trail and stop for a photo in stylish warming huts. Dine at RAW:almond, a pop-up winter restaurant on the river trail. Climb to the top of a freestanding ice-climbing tower and take in the site of Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg’s lauded winter carnival. Lose yourself in the world’s largest snow maze then dine at The Den, a restaurant made of snow.
Indigenous Storytellers
Take time to reflect while on authentic Indigenous tours. Dine on time-honoured First Nations recipes at Feast Café Bistro in Winnipeg. Experience healing and ancient teachings on a walking tour of the Bannock Point Petroforms in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Try beading and other crafts while learning about Manitoba's unique Métis culture at Borealis Beading. Glamp in a 'turtle shell,' an offgrid tiny home in Riding Mountain National Park.
INSIDE FOLD
What's New
Science meets Nature
The Ultimate Northern Lights Solar Science Adventure is a 7-day excursion in September. This Lazy Bear Expeditions’ trip features two solar scientists and nightly opportunities to view the northern lights. Dive deeper into the science behind the seemingly magical phenomenon of the aurora borealis.
Capture the White Whale
Frontiers North Adventures’ new Photo Adventure: Beluga Whales in Churchill offers expert guidance on how to best capture these curious creatures on camera. With extra time on zodiac boat tours and a specialist photo guide, the chances of getting a stunning shot of a beluga are high.
Wait – There’s More:
Human Rights Milestone
In 2014, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights transformed Winnipeg with its extraordinary architecture and powerful message of hope. In honour of its 10th anniversary, Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change celebrates how the power of music in pop culture affects change. Ten permanent galleries continue to showcase personal stories through interactive, multimedia displays to educate on global human rights issues.
Cruise to Churchill
Silversea Cruises has added Churchill as an itinerary stop for guests aboard their Endeavor ship travelling between northern Canada and Greenland. This exclusive, highend cruise company ports in Churchill, allowing guests to enjoy a full day of summer adventures while in town such as beluga boat tours, sled dog carting, area tours, e-bike rentals and more.
Cozy Comfort in Churchill
Churchill Wild has opened a new accommodation in the town of Churchill. The cozy and stylish Blueberry Inn has 16 rooms, a comfortable common space and a convenient location on Churchill’s main road.
Backcountry Paddle
Wild Loon Adventure Company is a Métis outfitter that expertly guides paddlers down the white waters of the Hayes River. On this 14-day, 200+ km journey, trace your way along this fur trade-era highway to York Factory National Historic Site.
PHOTO: THE BRIDGADE
PHOTO: BUILD FILMS
Manitoba Facts
• A visit to Manitoba means travelling through Treaty 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Territories and through communities who are signatories to Treaties 6 and 10. Manitoba is located on the ancestral land of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations and is the Homeland of the Red River Métis. Northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
• Located at the longitudinal centre of Canada
• Etymology
The name Manitoba is derived from the language of Indigenous peoples. It means “strait of the spirit” from the Anishinaabe or “Lake of the Prairies” from the Assiniboine.
• Population
1.4 million in Manitoba 871,800 in Winnipeg metro region
• Natural Regions
Tall grass prairie and aspen/oak parkland in the south and west; Precambrian boreal forest in the east and north; Hudson Bay lowlands and arctic tundra in the far north.
• Major Industry Agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, mining, forestry and hydroelectric energy.
• Climate Average Winnipeg temperature Winter -12 °C | Summer +26 °C
