Hudson Bay Residents Await Your Clients!!

VIA Rail Canada's Hudson Bay service - this seasonally popular line ushers passengers from the southern prairies of Manitoba to its remote northern tundra. The two-night, well off-the-beaten-path journey brings outdoor enthusiasts to Churchill, a town of 800 inhabitants that, despite offering premier snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dog-sledding excursions, is known primarily for one thing: the majestic polar bear.

Churchill

Churchill hosts one of the world's largest known polar bear maternity denning areas. High-season for viewing these immense, impressive creatures is October through mid-November, and VIA's Hudson Bay service brings passengers to the bears in very comfortable fashion.

The Hudson Bay

VIA's Hudson Bay service departs three times per week, year-round, in each direction. This two-night trip offers both Sleeper Class and Comfort Class (economy) accommodations. Sleeping car passengers can choose from a variety of accommodations, from the economical lower and/or upper berth to the enclosed single, double and triple bedrooms. All sleeping car accommodations include convenient amenities, such as shower access and shower kits.

For the second season in a row, Sleeper Class passengers also can enjoy delectable regional cuisine in the train's dining car (including the popular Arctic Char), and VIA's friendly staff will help with any need, whether finding something on the train or properly storing your cross-country skis or snow shoes. And on the Hudson Bay, anywhere can be a destination, with "special stop" service allowing passengers to disembark anywhere along the route given 48 hours advance notice.

As there are no highways leading into Churchill, VIA's Hudson Bay service provides optimum opportunity to experience the tundra and arctic terrain. Along with the fall Polar Bear season from September to April (peaking from January to March), travelers will be mesmerized by the enchanting, colorful and rhythmical "Northern Lights" (Aurora Borealis).

Anchoring The Hudson Bay Route Are Winnipeg & Churchill

Winnipeg, Manitoba is the province's largest city and cultural center. Once a center for fur trading, visitors to Winnipeg now can enjoy world-renowned ballet, a stroll around the city's French Quarter, or a trip to the historical crossroads "The Forks," the site of many of the city's largest festivals where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. Assiniboine Park is a favorite amongst Winnipeg's residents, featuring the city's zoo, English and French gardens and various outdoor activities.

Churchill is located on the banks of Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba and is known as the polar bear capital of the world. Churchill also offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as ecological hikes, fishing, dog-sledding and snowmobiling. Visitors to Churchill should bring their cameras and make sure to capture the endless luminosity of the tundra during the day and magnificent northern lights at night.

Getting There

Travelers can connect with the Hudson Bay in Winnipeg by using VIA's Canadian "thrice" weekly service from Toronto or Vancouver. Winnipeg also has an international airport with direct or one-switch access to cities across Canada.

Booking

VIA Rail's travel packages website offers a complete showcase of VIA's Hudson Bay vacations.  Simply select "Hudson Bay" from the drop-down menu in the "VIA Rail Trains Featured" section.