Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/368665
Experience the thrill of a close encounter with a polar bear and the memory will last a lifetime. But bring a camera — you'll want to share the moment for years to come. Nestled on the shore of Hudson Bay, the town of Churchill is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World. It's also a year-round destination for eco-tourists who commune with beluga whales, go dog-sledding with local mushers and immerse themselves in learning vacations covering everything from northern wildlife to northern lights. The polar bear migration is the magnificent main attraction in October and November, when mothers lead cubs on their first seal hunt and playful males socialize and spar while they wait for the bay to freeze. Polar bears are the undisputed monarchs of the North, and almost everywhere else for that matter. North America's biggest land carnivore, adult males weigh 300-450 kilograms on average, and the largest recorded in Wapusk National Park tipped the scales at 700 kilograms (about 1,500 pounds). They're fast and powerful — able to sprint at speeds up to 50 kilometres per hour, they can swim for well over 100 kilometres, and those mighty paws are instantly lethal to prey. Polar bears are also curious, often sauntering right up to tundra vehicles that carry visitors to prime viewing areas. The vehicles typically have observation decks and onboard washroom facilities, and tour packages range from whirlwind, one-day trips to week-long stays. all the bear necessities and so much more 12 W i n t e r n o r T h e r n s a f a r i dog Sledding tundra Buggy lodge PHOTO: FRONTIERS NORTH W i n t e r n o r T h e r n s a f a r i Hudson Bay has given Churchill many gifts, none as awesome as the polar bears and ghostly beluga whales that visit its shores. Find your way here and you'll get closer to them than you ever thought possible. See a spectacular video preview at www.travelmanitoba.com.