Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the typical temperatures in Churchill in June, July, August, September, October and November?

A. June 15 degrees, July 20 to 30 degrees, August 15 to 25 degrees, September 10 to 15 degrees, October 0 to 10 degrees, November 0 to - 15 degrees. All temperature is measured in Celsius in Canada.

Q. What should I bring to wear if I'm coming during the summer months?

A. Bring normal summer wear, but also bring long pants and a wind breaker, and fleece jacket for any possible cooler days. Make sure you bring long socks and stay away from sandals for the bug days.

Q. What should I bring to wear if I'm coming during October and November?

A. Dress in layers and be prepared for wind, snow and freezing temperatures. Even though our tour vehicles are heated, when the windows go down, you will need to stay warm. Short hikes outside also will require good, warm hats, gloves and walking boots. Make sure the boots have good grips on the soles.

Q. What other items do you suggest I bring if I'm coming during the summer months?

A. Bring light jackets, a good shade hat and sun glasses. A pair of binoculars is always handy. Your favourite brand of insect repellent is also good to bring along.

Q. What are the bugs like in Churchill during the summer months?

A. Each summer is different for bugs. In years of little rain, as was the case in 2008, we hardly notice them. Early summer seems, in general, to have more bugs. Later in midsummer and late summer there generally are fewer bugs. Good bug spray that contains Deet as a main ingredient works best. Some clients will bring a bug jacket or screen hat. But if you have loose fitting clothing, long socks and a long sleeved repertoire of clothing, along with your favourite bug lotion/spray, you will be well prepared.

Q. What other items do you suggest I bring if I'm coming during October and November?

A. Make sure that you bring at least two spare batteries for each camera type you bring. If you are shooting with film, bring much more film than you would intend to use.  If you bring your laptop, make sure you bring your charging cord. I am surprised how many clients forget this. Make sure that you dress in layers as during the warmer days you can dress down, and during the colder days you can dress up against the cold. We also recommend bringing along a small carryon bag or valet bag with your absolute necessities just in case your air carrier does something with your luggage and you do not see it until after your arrival in Churchill. This can include cameras, toiletries and medications. 

Q. Do you provide shuttle service from the train station or airport?

A. Yes. Clients who are flying on their own tickets need to call when they arrive at the Churchill airport. We often have clients who travel on their own airfare for who face itinerary changes that we do not know of.  We need to know of changes and please be patient if we are not there right away.

Q.Regarding the courtesy shuttle service, how will we find your staff at the airport or train station?

A. Staff generally wear Lazy Bear Lodge clothing. They also will raise their voice at the airport mentioning that they are with Lazy Bear Lodge. Churchill is a small place, if you ask the airline desk to phone us they generally will. You can also call us from the pay phone. Our local number from within Churchill, MB is 675-2969.

Q. What happens if the train arrives late? Do we miss any of our tours? Do we still get shuttle service?

A. We make every attempt to be at the train station with each train arrival.  On rare occasions the train will arrive unannounced.  The lodge number is answered any time between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM.  Churchill is a small town; the train station attendant can always find someone from the lodge even if it is the middle of the night. Our local number from within Churchill, MB is 675-2969.

Q. Do you have a coffee maker in each room?

A. We do not have a coffee maker in each room.  Our restaurant is open from 7:00 each morning to 9:00 each night.  Coffee is available during that time at the lodge.

Q. Are there hair dryers in each room?

A. Hair dryers are available at the front desk.

Q. Is the Lodge handicap accessible?

A. Rooms are handicap accessible.  If you are in a wheel chair or have a hard time climbing stairs please let us know in advance so that we can put you in a main floor room.

Q. Which tours are suitable for people with handicaps?

A. Most of our tours are suitable for people with handicaps.  There may be assistance required during some portion of the tour.  Our Cultural and Heritage Tours require some easy hiking at some locations.  Often our guides will do much of the interpretation inside our expedition bus. 

Q. When is the best time to come to see the northern lights?

A. The best time to see the northern lights during our operating season is in our fall polar bear season. While we see northern lights on occasion during the summer, the summer months generally are too light at night. Not only is it darker in the Fall, there is less fog and fewer clouds when the air temperatures are colder. Northern lights are active all year around. But you need to have a clear sky to see them, of course.

Q. Can you see the Northern Lights during the summer months?

A. Yes, but not as often.  August is better than July for seeing the Northern Lights.

Q. Will we actually see polar bears with the Ultimate Arctic Summer Adventure Tour Package?

A. We have been running this program for five years as of summer 2009. We have not had a person who signed up for this tour that has not seen a polar bear. During the summer of 2009 we had our first regular boat tour to Seal River replaced with a half day tour of the Hudson Bay coastline because of the latest remnant winter sea ice ever recorded. While on our coastal tour our guests counted 8 bears. We have been conservative in past years for what claims we have made for this tour. But we have found this program to have the greatest customer satisfaction as it takes clients out farther than any of our other tours to see Bears.

Q. What is the best time to come see the Polar Bears?

A. We have two polar bear seasons at the Lazy Bear Lodge: the popular Fall/Winter season in October and November, and our summer season during July and August. Each season has a variability that changes with seasonal weather each year. So it is hard to predict when the best polar bear viewing is during each season. 

Q. Are there age restrictions for any of the tours?

A. Our Beluga Whale boat tour is 2 years & up, able to walk without assistance. Our snorkelling, kayaking and Seal River tours are 12 years & up. We can, however, create custom family adventures during our summer season to accommodate younger children. Our fall/winter Polar Bear Tours are limited to children 8 and up. 

Q. What is a single supplement fee?

A. A single supplement fee covers the loss of income by the lodge when only one single person occupies a room.  That person pays a premium as room availability is limited during our operating seasons. 

Q. What size planes will we be flying in from Winnipeg to Churchill and return?

A. Plane capacities run from 28 passenger (SAAB 340 B) to as much as 44 (Hawker Sidley 748) and 42 (ATR 42-300). All flights booked through us are scheduled flights, which allow our clients more flexibility than charter flights. Our scheduled flights depart from Winnipeg International Airport as do all Calm Air flights. The level of service is generally viewed as superior to other national or international airlines. Calm Air is our regional carrier, and we are proud to use them as part of our service.

Q. Do you book packages with train transportation?

A. We are considering this as an option.

Q. Where in Churchill is Lazy Bear Lodge located?  What is within walking distance?

A. Lazy Bear Lodge is located at 313 Kelsey Blvd. which is Churchill's main street. Churchill's largest gift shop, Wapusk General Store, which also does much of our dog mushing, is located right next door. Blue Sky Expeditions also provides dog mushing and is a five minute walk. The department of Conservation and the Polar Bear Alert offices are two doors down. Hudson Bay Helicopters office is three doors down. Gypsy’s Bakery is about a 5 minute walk. A walk across the town of Churchill is approximately 15 minutes one way.

Q. What type of internet service do you have for guests? Is there a public computer for guests to use?

A. We provide WiFi throughout the lodge. At this time we do not have a computer for guest use.

Q. Is there a restaurant right in the Lodge itself? What hours is it opened? Do I have to make reservations?

A. There is a restaurant located in the lodge itself.  Fall/winter hours are 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. daily 7 days a week.   Summer hours are 7 A.M. to 9 P.M. daily, except for Sunday where we provide breakfast only.

Q. Do you rent vehicles?  Is there somewhere in Churchill to rent vehicles?

A. Tamarack rentals is almost right across the street from Lazy Bear Lodge. The phone number is 1-204-675-2192

Q. What other things are there to do in Churchill in the summer time?  In October or November?

A. Besides snorkelling with beluga whales and kayaking with beluga whales, summer months offer ample hiking opportunities the opportunity to visit the Parks Canada center at the Churchill train station where they provide films, slideshows and lectures to visitors.
During our Fall/Winter season we also provide the opportunity for dog mushing and/or helicopter tours. You will have time provided during your stay to sign up for these two options. These respective businesses are located next to the lodge. Both come highly recommended. Dog mushing provides a glimpse into Churchill's cultural past as this mode of transport was popular right up until the 1960's when snowmobiles were first introduced.

Q. Is the Lodge opened after November?  Is the Lodge open prior to June?

A. The lodge season is generally open from June 1st through till November 23rd which marks the end of our Polar Bear season.

Q. What tour equipment is used during Polar Bear tours in the winter?

A. We provide two days of touring on the coastal tundra for wildlife viewing. One day will be spent on the large and comfortable Lazy Bear Lodge Tundra Vehicle with the other on our more nimble Lazy Bear Lodge Wildlife Viewing Bus. Each vehicle tours a separate area but overlaps about one third of each area each day to provide a variety of scenery and experience. 

Both Lazy Bear Lodge vehicles are four-wheel drive, and equipped with a propane furnace, bathroom facility, and a rear viewing deck so you can safely stand outside while photographing. Although we can accommodate as many as 40 on our tundra vehicles, we limit our group sizes to a maximum of 25 for your comfort and convenience. Each day our clients are provided with a lunch of hot soup, sandwiches, snacks and a beverage selection of soda, juice, water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. 

Our summer program Seal River tour uses a specially designed high–power inboard jet boat with an easy access front ramp. The bottom and front of this boat is specially reinforced to push ice and to travel in very shallow water.  The design of the boat is similar to a barge in shape, but travels at around 25 knots. The jet drive has no outside moving parts. The hull of the boat is also installed with a half inch of Teflon plastic glued onto the hull to help navigate through shallow waters. There is a porta–potty available on board during this expedition. We also provide arctic survival suits to our clients traveling on this tour for their comfort and safety. A hearty field lunch of a sandwich, snack, fruit, and soda or bottled water is provided.

The Seal River tour is scheduled with the high tide during its departure days. We reserve the right to change tour days to accommodate the best weather. We maintain radio contact with the lodge at all times and carry all safety equipment, including a fully stocked first aid pack. All our boats are transport Canada Certified, our trail equipment and boats are fully licensed and fully insured.

Q. Do you provide a babysitting service at your Lodge?  Do you know of any in Churchill that does?

A. We do not provide babysitting services at the lodge. 

Q. Do you need training to participate in our Kayak with the Beluga Whales program?

A. We provide a short training session to make sure that you are familiar with our equipment and the area that we use for this tour. This tour is always performed with our certified river guide. Wet suits and all kayaking and safety equipment is provided.

Q. What equipment do you use for your snorkelling program?

A. We use only arctic dry suits for this adventure. These arctic dry suits are generally warmer than wet suits. They will also allow the user to wear their full clothing, including the recommended long underwear or sweats, and a light jacket while snorkelling. This equipment will keep the participant dry and comfortable while snorkelling just below the surface.  We are not responsible for jealous spouses in the event that a client kisses one of the curious Beluga Whales. We do sell waterproof cameras at the lodge, but recommend that you bring your own as quality varies from camera to camera.