Introduction
Step into Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the World. In this episode of the Discover Canada in Style Podcast, we travel to the edge of Hudson Bay, where polar bears gather, belugas sing, and the northern lights ripple across Arctic skies.
Churchill is more than a destination — it’s a model of coexistence, conservation, and resilience. In this podcast, we’ll explore what makes this frontier town unforgettable, and why its story matters far beyond the tundra.
Hit play above, or read the highlights below.
🐻 Why Churchill Is the Polar Bear Capital of the World
Each autumn, hundreds of polar bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay, waiting for the ice to form. This unique migration has given Churchill its global reputation as the Polar Bear Capital of the World.
Unlike remote Arctic destinations, Churchill is accessible by train or plane from Winnipeg. Visitors can board tundra buggies — giant vehicles built for the tundra — for safe, up-close encounters with polar bears in their natural habitat.
🤝 Living With Polar Bears: Coexistence in Action
Churchill isn’t just a tourism hotspot; it’s a community where people live side by side with polar bears. The Polar Bear Alert Program patrols town during bear season, using humane deterrents to keep wildlife and residents safe.
🏚️ What Is the Polar Bear Jail?
Problem bears are sometimes held temporarily in a special facility nicknamed the polar bear jail, where they’re released once the Hudson Bay ice returns. This unique system has inspired conservation programs around the world.
Indigenous elders add cultural wisdom, reminding us that polar bears are rightful beings on this land, deserving of respect and balance.
🌍 Challenges and Climate Change
As sea ice retreats earlier each year, polar bears spend longer fasting on land. Climate change threatens both their survival and Churchill’s identity.
Yet the town is adapting. From electric tundra buggies to advanced waste management systems, Churchill is becoming a leader in sustainable Arctic tourism.
🐋 Beyond the Bears: Belugas and Northern Lights
Churchill offers wildlife spectacles year-round. In summer, the Churchill River is home to over 60,000 beluga whales, while winter skies often blaze with the aurora borealis.
Together, these experiences make Churchill more than a single-season destination.
🏞️ Hidden Gems and Local Culture
Beyond the wildlife, Churchill has quirky and cultural treasures:
Wapusk National Park, one of the world’s top polar bear denning areas.
The extreme Polar Bear Marathon, where runners race across tundra under armed escort.
The Itsanitaq Museum and local Indigenous art, showcasing Arctic survival and creativity.
✨ Final Thoughts
Churchill is a place of awe and responsibility. It shows what’s possible when people and wildlife share the same space with respect, resilience, and innovation.
Visiting Churchill means more than ticking a bucket-list experience — it means supporting a community on the frontlines of conservation. And if you can’t travel there, organizations like Polar Bears International are working every day to protect both the species and the fragile ecosystems they depend on.
🎧 Listen to the full episode above, and subscribe to Discover Canada in Style for more stories celebrating Canada’s wild heart.
