Via Rail booking is now open.
Book your ticket for October 6, 2025: Thompson --> Churchill.
Book your ticket for October 9, 2025: Churchill --> Thompson.
Book your tour and hotel in Churchill. The host will be staying at the Polar Inn + Suites, and will be joining the North Star Tours. You are free to pick your own hotel and tours in Churchill.
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This is an Epic Adventure into the Land of the Polar Bears!
This is a camping, rail and road trip adventure which will take you from Calgary (or wherever you will be at the time), all the way to Churchill, Manitoba – The Polar Bear Capital of the World!
While you can take the train right from Union Station in downtown Winnipeg (or fly to Churchill), the most enjoyable way to experience this adventure is to drive from Calgary to Thompson, Manitoba (via Winnipeg’s Provincial Trunk Hwy 6). Since there are no roads from Thompson to Churchill, we will hop on the Via Rain and head to Churchill, which is located on the southern edge of Canada’s Arctic.
To begin our adventure, and start the convoy, we will meet at the Petro-Canada Gas Station in Aldersyde (50°41'45.0"N 113°53'10.2"W) at 8am. As we will have a great distance to cover – we do have to catch a train after all! -- punctuality is a must.
As for polar bear viewing, the best time to see them is during the months of October and November. Therefore, our adventure will start on October 3, 2025, and conclude on or about October 12, 2025. The entire event will take place over several days and will be filled with adventure at every corner (camping, hikes, exploring small northern towns, polar bear viewing, wildlife viewing; train ride, etc.). This is another bucket list item you can cross off your list!
While on our way to Thompson, we will camp/boondock. When camping or boondocking is not available (most camps close by September 30), we may be staying in hotels along the way and enjoy the scenery that this vast adventure has to offer.
Dates and Itinerary will be firmed up week of January 1, 2025. This is when you should also be booking Via Rail tickets, hotels, tours, etc.
While in Thompson:
Thompson has campgrounds and hotels that you can book (if that is your preference), but you must decide what to do with your vehicle (leaving it at the train station is not recommended). Depending on where you will decide to stay, you should make pre-arrangements with the accommodation facility to have your vehicle safely parked until we return to Thompson.
Hopping on the Via Rail:
Given there are no roads from Thompson to Churchill, we will hop on the Via Rail which will take us all the way to Churchill. The ride to Churchill runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The return from Churchill runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The ride from Thompson to Churchill departs at 5pm, and lasts for 16 hours, arriving in Churchill at around 9am the following day.
Via Rail has 3 different types of tickets, ranging from $76/per person (economy) to Sleeper Plus Class accommodations (Berth/starting at $256; Cabin for 1/starting at $445; Cabin for 2/starting at $527 and Cabin for 3/starting at 848). Kindly note that prices may change. Cabins for 2 and 3 people have private washrooms (toilet + sink). The Berth cabin has a toilet and a sink, but the cabin is an open concept design. Economy passengers use public washrooms. Each rail car has public shower facilities, except for the economy class.
While in Churchill
Churchill is located along the southern edge of Canada's arctic and is surrounded by the wildlife and habitat of three distinct eco-zones: arctic marine, arctic tundra and boreal forest.
Although there are many activities that you can enjoy in Churchill, our main objective is to watch polar bears, up and close.
The host will be using the North Star Tours and/or the Frontiers North Adventures to book their bear viewing experience (full day). There are many more tour guides that you can pick from, and many different tours to cater to your wishes, and/or bucket list ideas.
The host will also be staying at the Polar Bear Inn and Suites. This hotel has varied accommodations, from standard rooms to kitchen suites to one-bedroom apartments. Prices vary from $325/night (standard room) to $395/night for kitchen and apartment suites.
Full Itinerary, with suggestions, etc. will be shared in early January 2025.
