It was an exceptional season on the Churchill, Manitoba polar bear safaris, marked by rare wildlife encounters, unseasonably warm weather, and unforgettable behaviour displays. Guests witnessed everything from a calm, sunny-day sighting of a mother nursing her cub—an intimate highlight—to bears lounging, stretching, and playfully interacting along the Hudson Bay shore as they waited for sea ice to return. The blog explores the demanding lives of mother bears, the challenges cubs face, the bears’ energy-saving summer dens, and the appearance of other Arctic wildlife such as hares and ptarmigan made conspicuous by the lack of early snow. As temperatures cooled in November, bear activity increased, males gathered in playful bachelor groups, and even the northern lights made an appearance, capping off another memorable year in the polar bear capital of the world.

Polar bears are more than Arctic icons — they’re marine mammals with extraordinary adaptations. From thriving on a fat-rich diet without heart disease, to surviving months of fasting on the Hudson Bay, these apex predators reveal fascinating secrets. Learn why their livers are toxic to humans, how they set underwater hunting records, and how scented footprints help them find mates across vast icy ranges.

Discover how Canada’s two largest bears—grizzly and polar—share a common ancestor yet evolved to thrive in very different environments. This blog dives into the evolutionary split, rare hybridization, and key physical and behavioural adaptations that distinguish polar bears as marine mammals and grizzlies as land-based omnivores. A fascinating comparison timed perfectly between Classic Canadian Tours’ grizzly bear season and the upcoming Churchill polar bear tours.

The pristine Khutzehmayteen Valley offers endless wildlife viewing experiences.