Happy feast week, everyone! Jaimie and I are traveling to the Bay Area to see her family, and it'll be nice to warm up some as Denver's temps are DROPPING! I'm not sure how November flew by so fast, but here we are. I hope you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Thank you for being here and supporting this newsletter. I truly appreciate it. And if there is anything you want me to cover, just ask!

First things first. I think you all enjoy traveling and probably saving money. Thrifty Traveler is offering their subscription service for 50% off for the first year. They will send you flight deals and point redemptions so you can travel cheaper and smarter.

>> Click here to save 50% until Dec 2. <<

Want to know more? I made a quick video about it that you can check out here.

Polar Bears in Churchill

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So! I went to Churchill, Canada, a couple of weeks ago, and holy smokes, it was incredibly exhausting. I left Denver Sunday evening and was walking through my door Tuesday before noon.

Churchill is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the world because it's relatively easy to reach (even though there are no roads entering the town), and it's where a massive number of bears congregate in anticipation of the Hudson Bay freezing over.

Best time to visit: Mid Oct - Mid November

How to plan your trip: Fly into Winnipeg, then take a chartered flight arranged with your tour operator to Churchill, which is another two hours.

Who to go with: There are a handful of operators, but I went with Frontiers North Adventures for my day trip (typically costs $1,500 pp). If you want a more extended trip, there are 5-7-day options.

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How much does a long trip cost? The longer trips cost between $6,000 and $13,000 per person.

How cold was it? Temperatures in the morning were in the 20s°F, with it warming up to around freezing, 32°F. But we had winds of 15-25mph, so the wind chill was likely in the low 20s°F. This was 10 degrees warmer than average. Even two weeks after visiting, the ice has barely frozen, putting these bears at an even higher risk of malnutrition.

What you need to bring: If you're a photographer, you need a long lens. At least 400mm, but 600mm+ is even better. Bring a tripod; otherwise, your arms will get tired. If you're not a photographer, get a pair of binoculars. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between binoculars, but find one that is high-quality and offers nice long-distance viewing.

Can you walk around? If you board a tundra buggy, you are not allowed out while on the tundra. It's a major safety risk. Now, some companies let you out (better for photography), but they have an armed guard with you, and you are not on the tundra. You're on the roads around town.

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>>> Watch my Polar Bear Video here. (Has travel details and bear clips) <<<

My Main Takeaways from visiting Churchill

From a photography perspective, this was the most incredible experience! I'm still in awe that I got to see them - even though it was only for a day. I could easily spend days photographing them and be satisfied. However, after two days, it could get pretty boring for those watching through binoculars.

Which is why most tours limit you to two days of bear viewing and then offer other activities like dog mushing or exploring museums in town.

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But what I will say was a little disappointing (maybe that's not the right word) was that the buggy sat in the same place the entire day once we drove out onto the tundra. Now, it was cool because we had active bears playing around us all day (see video), but I sort of hoped we'd get to explore a little more of the area.

Side note: I was on a press trip, so our day was much different than what others would experience.

If a day trip is all you can afford (totally understandable), jump at it. I would expect/hope you have a wonderful time. But damn, it was exhausting to fly in, then do another flight 12 hours later, and then another 12 hours later, and then another 12 hours later.

However, to maximize your trip and make it more enjoyable than a whirlwind experience, you want the extra time there. A) You could see the northern lights, and B) more opportunities to see bears increase your chances of a close encounter.

If this does inspire you, make sure to tell Frontier's North Adventures I sent you!

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Order Your 2026 Calendar

My Calendar was a little delayed this year, but it's nearly complete and will arrive in time for holiday gifts!

If you want to preorder this week, you can save 10%.

Please put your shipping information here.

The sale ends Nov 30th at 11:55pm Eastern.

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Recent Articles and Videos You May Have Missed

​Is Churchill Worth Visiting? My One Day Visit to see Polar Bears​

​The 10 Best Places to Visit in December (USA Edition)​

​One-Day Itinerary to Explore Crater Lake National Park in Oregon​

​The 13 Best National Parks to Visit in the United States (From my experience)​

​The Ultimate Guide to the 26 Best Hikes in Arizona​

​What to Explore Each Month in Washington State Throughout 2026​

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​Make sure to check out Thrifty Traveler's Black Friday deal of 50% off their helpful service. ​