Imagine yourself in the middle of nowhere. No buildings, no crowds, no sounds of city life – nothing but the whistling of the wind, a great expanse as far as the eye can see and polar bears roaming by.
Standing on the observation deck at Frontiers North Adventures’ Tundra Buggy Lodge, looking out at the stark landscape makes one feel as though they have landed on the moon. The Lodge sits at the edge of Hudson Bay on the tip of Polar Bear Point, so named for the seasonal residents that congregate in the area. The vast expanse of the arctic waters and the tundra stretch as far as the eye can see, seemingly never ending.
Guests from all over the world travel to Churchill – the Polar Bear Capital of the World – to catch a glimpse of the world’s largest land carnivore. Travellers come from many different walks of life but all share an itch for adventure and a common desire to experience something truly amazing.
Frontiers North’s Tundra Buggy Lodge is a pop-up hotel located in the middle of polar bear country - the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. With two accommodation units, a lounge car and dining car, its set up is similar to that of a train. Guests have their own private single-bed bunk with shared washroom facilities. Dining and lounge cars are communal areas where travellers can mix and mingle, compare travel stories and enjoy world-class cuisine. Experience a day in the life at the Tundra Buggy Lodge.
Polar bear sightings at the Lodge are common. As the only “building” for miles, curious bears are known to approach the Lodge, to check things out and to see if there might be anything edible to enjoy. Much to the bears’ dismay, not one drop of food, water or waste touches the ground. The Lodge is completely self-contained and there are strict rules about not feeding the wildlife.
An added benefit to staying at the Tundra Buggy Lodge comes in the form of access to some of the top polar bear scientists in the world. Polar Bears International, the world's leading polar bear conservation organization, uses the Tundra Buggy Lodge as their on-the-ground headquarters during Churchill's peak polar bear season. Guests have the opportunity to learn about conservation efforts and polar bear research directly from the experts during evening presentations.
Aside from the opportunity to fall asleep and wake up with polar bears outside your window, one of the best features of the Tundra Buggy Lodge are the outdoor observation decks that connect the units and the 360˚ rooftop observation deck on the lounge car. These platforms are open to the elements, allowing for encounters with bears, photography opportunities and, if the sky is clear, incredible northern lights viewing. Take a virtual tour of the Tundra Buggy Lodge
All it takes is one moment standing in the cold clear air on the observation deck, surrounded by the vast tundra landscape, to realize what a special experience it is to stay at this unique lodge on Canada's arctic coast. The Tundra Buggy Lodge, far from the beaten path, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Learn more about Frontiers North's Tundra Buggy Lodge.
Writer: Brandi Hayberg
Header image: Simon Gee