LIFE IN NORTHERN CANADA - A look at Churchill, MB 

The prices are cheap in Churchill because of the railway. But if you went to say Iqaluit or any where with no road or rail the prices just surge

No matter where you go, no matter how remote, you can always find a coffee shop!!

I lived in Ft. Churchill when I was a child. My dad was stationed there. What little memories I have are very special to me.

"Northern" Stores are actually the orginal Hudson's Bay stores. (and were until about 1990 when Hudson Bay corp ditched its origins (fur trading and northern stores) to focus on urban department stores). Prices in Churchill and other towns that have permanent ground transport is much less than where perishable goods have to be flown in, and non perisheable are shipped bulk in summer to last a year (Nunavut communities). The Hudsons Bay stores were where locals came in to trade furs for goods in the original days, hence they were in every northern community.

Glad you indicated in the end that your trip was in October. Even more impact knowing it was that cold back then

Aaah it makes sense that you find the prices at the Northern not that expensive if you're comparing to Vancouver.

I've been interested in Churchill, the town, the train journey, and the remoteness of it all. For these reasons, I appreciate this video. I also appreciate your excellent work, your relaxed and friendly style, and your humble way. Thanks for bringing joy and education to my life :)

Canada is seriously stunning. I’m desperate to travel there.

Mike, I just love your channel. First off it's your personality and enthusiasm, you seem like the perfect upbeat guy to hang with and travel with. Don't ever loose that zest for life. I also love the fact that when you visit places you provide not just great video but stats, facts, history, background on the area or topic. Shows you've done your homework. Never been to Churchill but you sure made the adventure tempting. Keep up the great vlogs, not sure where you're going next, but hey, I'll be watching. Mike.

I felt like I needed a coat when watching this video. That’s wild how the bay freezes up. Churchill does look like a neat town but couldn’t imagine being that isolated away. Thanks for sharing!

Great 3 part series Mike. Thanks for showing parts of remote Canada and and some amazing shots of the Polar bears . A trip everyone should make once in their life time!

Thank you for the three-part Story. My best friend got married in Churchill. It was a delightful reminder of the adventure lover she was. Her intended husband was working up there in the military. Your story brought back happy thoughts for them both.

Great content! As someone who has never seen snow, I can't even begin to imagine how cold it must be in Churchill.

Thank you for featuring remote places of Canada.You have a well modulated voice, a good quality of a narrator , which makes your videos even more interesting to listen & watch. 👍👏

That looks amazing. Defnitely going to have to make a plan to visit Churchill... And let's face it. If you hadn't found the Australians at the café, you would have run into them in the booze section of The Northern!

Omg I was working that day at the airport (ywg), could of fangirl out for you hehe. Glad u enjoyed Manitoba!

Kudos to you for maintaining an outstanding travel channel during this time! You've improvised and adapted and continued on. Bravo! I'm sure you will continue to think outside the box and bring us even more very thoughtful and creative videos to watch! And as always I wish I was there with you! Thank you!

I stayed at the Lazy Bear Lodge. It was a great experience!

Mike thanks for this fun journey with your dad so lucky for the time together. I was in awe of the coffee drinks with the moose and bear claw art on top of the drinks.

Thank you Mike. You bring refreshing perspectives and honest commentary. I hope you and you father enjoyed the experience. I know we all look forward to being to travel again soon.

Can't wait, Love when you went through the Canadian wilderness with Via Rail!

Another excellent video, Mike! Your mind seems to be a bottomless vessel of creativity and ideas - all the better for those of us who are your subscribers. There's nothing like my morning coffee and DownieLive to get my Saturdays off to a great start!

All roads lead to the airport in Churchill. Great grocery, etc. store. Amazing local artwork. Wonderful ending to your 3-part series.

What a great experience for you and your Dad to share. I really enjoyed coming along with you, thank you. xx

Wait, isn’t this the place where people have to leave their cars and houses unlocked because your neighbors might be outside and a polar bear might try to eat you so you have to run somewhere to avoid being eaten?????

I can't wait for damn COVID to finally end.. Doing all the way there from Toronto by train sounds like a great plan.

I’ve been trying to get back to Churchill for about four years - I was around 2 1/2 - 3 when we left and my sister was born there. First thwarted when the railway was flooded. The following had to change my plans due to lack of time and no hostel, 2020.... well we all know why. I am pushing for 2022 when I will be 65. Love Via!

The original railroad port on Hudson’s Bay was actually meant to be in a place called Port Nelson. They actually built the railway there and the port but it was too shallow and stormy for ships so they had to relocate it to Churchill. Would be interesting to do an episode on that although I think it’s really hard to get to these days.

Thanks for filming this incredible series. Glad that you and your Dad were able to share this adventure together. As 2020 comes to a close I want you to know how much I have appreciated all that you do to produce such a fascinating channel. Your never ending friendliness and positivity are a welcome mood lifter in this dark and dreary year. Wishing you and your family a very happy Merry Christmas and a much better New Year in 2021! ❤🇨🇦❄☃️🎄🙏🌎

A lot of this trip brought back memories of my time, in my early 20s, working at Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland. It was a support base for four radar stations of the now defunct DEWLine. You transported me back in time, Michael, when I was a young stud like you, lol!

Thank you for your videos. I have been to Churchill twice. Once for birding in the 70s, I was 6. Then again in the 80s when I was a junior in high school to photograph polar bears. It was cool to see some of the changes. Thanks again for a trip down memory lane.

Greetings Mike! Wow!!! Wonderful overview of Churchill and your experience there. Very well organized video, with great scenery and great humor too. Kudos to your dad for his supporting role! Can't wait to see where you go next. Best wishes sir.

Incredible footage... Seriously obsessed with all of your videos!!! Creating my Canada bucket list just became wayyyy easier.

Back in 1965 my friends dad worked for the CNR at Glenella Manitoba ,which was on the mainline to Churchill.I remember the passenger train being full of people heading to all their remote northern destinations and this was way before polar bear tourism.

Churchill hasn’t changed much in the since 1977 when I visited with my family and father. It is an interesting, out of the way, place to visit.

Really enjoyed watching the trip. This is a bucket list item for me.

Mike, The shot out of the plane window in Churchill gave such a good perspective of where it's located on Hudson Bay - beautiful. Being a more mature fella like your dad, I want his hat with the flaps - perfect for cold and windy. We had our first snow in Cincinnati the end of Nov., but didn't last long. It all depends on which front is strongest - cold from the northwest or a little warmer coming up from the Gulf. It's always dueling fronts here. Loved the video and thanks for taking us along.

Thanks, Mike, this video was amazing. I liked learning more about the town beyond the bears :) And, referring to another comment, you do always seem to find the best coffee :) Your videos are so interesting and well done. I really appreciate them!

My buddy lived in Churchill MB for ten years when he was a kid. His dad was a Canadian Forces rocket scientist and Churchill is where the laboratory and testing grounds were located. This would have been the mid-1950's to mid-1960's. He said it was a great place ot be a kid and explore and learn about nature.

You deserve a television show. You're a natural at this. Love your videos.

I really enjoyed this video and I love small towns myself. They have their own local charm. This place is awesome!

Just wanted to quickly chime in. Came to your channel while looking for information on VIA Rail trips. I'm now on the third video of yours for the northern trip and I'm really enjoying your style of video. Thanks for keeping me entertained!

Definitely one of the most unique and bucket list trip! The scenery and polar bears were just awesome! And you got to make the trip with your dad🙂 - once in a lifetime memories(!), such a gift in of itself! Thanks for sharing!

The 3 Churchill videos were very interesting Mike. I especially like led seeing what the town of Churchill is like. Thanks.

For the past few years I’ve been travelling around Canada with my guide dog Colombo...yes I’m blind. I have recently settled down in Sparwood just outside of fernie waiting for this pandemic to be over...that and I settled down with a partner lol. I had just come across your channel and you have me longing for more adventures. I had thought about doing a RU-vid channel based on a blind person‘s perspective of travelling like this however I’m not sure where to start LOL. Thank you so much for these videos. I can’t wait to be doing stuff like this again with my guide dog. I can’t express how I feel finding this channel. I’m so grateful that you had decided to bring us along for the virtualride.

I was recommended your videos and they've been great! Giving me some ideas for travel options now that we can't really do much. And, after watching a few of them you started to look a little familiar, then I realized I went to high school with you! Great to see what you've gotten up to. Wicked content!

What a wonderful adventure that was! I know you'll come up with something exciting for the next video! Thanks again for sharing!

I’m a fairly new subscriber to your channel and I’m going back to watch your old videos. I have to say I’ve absolutely loved this series. It has shown me something I never would have seen or even known about. It was absolutely wonderful. Thank you!

Thanks for taking me along. Nice production value and pacing. I love your enthusiasm! I look forward to your next adventure!

I love these church hill vids it’s nice to know there is something cool In my province Manitoba

Looking forward to this. I’ve been on the road for work and had my credit card compromised at a gas station in Surrey, so I’m just waiting for my new one to be couriered to me. Hopefully, there are still hats left. I plan to order a couple as soon as I get it. 👊🏻

Mike your trip looks amazing and sharing with your dad is something you'll both always remember. Trust me on that. ❤️. Thanks for letting us know it was October, I was curious as it looked so cold.....

Hey, just watched the 3 episodes of your northern odyssey. Great job, well filmed and well documented! Thank you so much for all the useful information. My wife and I are planning to do this trip one of these days. Greeting from a Canuck 🇨🇦 living in Luxembourg 🇱🇺 PS: your dad is 👍 great

Been thinking of doing Churchill...thanks for the preview

totally amazing this video and other one I watched whilst in Churchill - regards from Auckland, New Zealand where summer is just about here!

I live in Arlington, Wash, and love your channel! I have Canadian roots, so I am all about your great country. Keep up the awesome work!

I really enjoyed this video. I didn’t know the Hudson River freezes. Great content. 💥👍🔥👊🇬🇧”🎄🎄

Great video Mike! The whole holiday seemed like it was so much fun! I can't remember what you said about the average temperature. Seems like there is always snow! I'm glad you had a great time!

I visited Churchill a couple of times back in the 80s/90s. It was a little less slick back then but not really changed its character that much. Love your trilogy. Am currently using it as a prototype for a model railroad layout and found your vids while searching for landscape inspiration. Thanks for posting them.

Thank you so much. I've wanted to see Hudson Bay since I learned about it in school. It's so beautiful

Thanks for your channel. I’ve escaped mentally for a little while. It made my day. 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

Awesome series, I've spent two separate weeks in Churchill, one in July (polar bear dip in the bay) and one in January..both incredible experiences! One of Canada's hidden gems for sure! I will return one day...thanks for bringing back some amazing memories! safe traveling.

congratulations once again, I saw the three videos of your visit Churchill with your Dad, incredible adventure. Greetings from Santiago de Chile

I stopped in Churchill for overnight back in the early 80's, while flying a small bush plane to Bakers Lake and then Chantrey Inlet. Didn't see any polar bears, but remember the mosquitos. Heavier than I'd seen anywhere else. After watching this series I want to return. I like the fact that it doesn't seem to over commercialized and not crawling with tourists. Taking the train would be a great way to add to the adventure. Thanks for providing this content.

Yet another fantastic video, makes me want to plan a trip to Churchill. Maybe next fall. Can't wait for your next adventure.

Mike this town visit was engaging; the Churchill community certainly commits their efforts into inviting and friendly! Your three video view tour is excellent. Beth Michaud in North West Montana

Great video one of my best friends grew up in Churchill in the 60s was great to see his hometown today. 👍👍

Feeling the embrace gently glowing through the years where angel sings sweet refrain...💖

I've never had an espresso but I find the art of decorating the tops of the beverage interesting.

Great video series Downie. Excellent idea for an adventure and well put together episodes.

Love Churchill! Been there a few times! MB has the Artic Ocean at the top of their province and most people haven't even been there yet!

Enjoyed our trip to Churchill from Gillam about ten years ago, maybe more. With more time I may have tacked on a CalmAir flight to Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Frobisher Bay, and other places, and/or York Factory.

Incredible trip! Beautiful polar bears! It was very informative! I liked the shot of the Inukshuk!!! Very cool! Thank you for the virtual tour!

Top notch travel documentary, I can't wait to watch more of your videos!

This brings back memories from 1971 when I was 17.

Sat in the red chairs in Banff (when we could still travel). Need to get back out west again, soon. ViaRail is a great way to see this awesome country

Mike, thanks for the tour around town, which is something I didn't get to do when I was there, as I was only there 1 day, getting back on the train for the return trip that evening. As I mentioned on the previous video, I drove to The Pas. What I didn't mention was that I started in northern IL, and drove solo. This was a 1169 mi./1181km. drive.

I loved this series, Michael. Thank you so much for this. My company gives all its employees christmas boxes and this year it includes a round tray with cartoon-like graphics and it shows narwhals in Hudson’s Bay. At first I thought it was an error but it’s not! Did you know that we have narwhals?

Tremendous vaca with your dad. Way cool. Thanks for traveling and sharing.

Thanks for the video! I'll be happy with Vancouver videos as well. Keep safe!

I spent November and December of 2011 in St. Adolphe and Winnipeg, and really thought it would be fun do go to Churchill. Unfortunately I didn’t have time, what with trying to finish a construction project before it got cold, but It’s still on the bucket list.

I found these while bored at work (security guard for a condo's gym and pool) and loved it. Can't wait to see more of your via rail trips. Hope you do a trans canadian via rail trip to see canada from west to east.

Saw the interview you did with local CBC. When you randomly show up on RU-vid for people, you know that you've kinda made it. WTG!

My hubby and I did a cross country roadtrip across Canada (we did an up and down zigzag to try and reach as much Canadian places as we can😅) few years ago but we never got a chance to make it up to Churchill since its not highway-accessible. This is definitely part of our bucket list😍 thanks for sharing the tour and experience!!

Thank you for sharing! I've always wondered what these towns look like in winter

Such a beautiful town..! So nice to see life in Canada

wow loved watching that i could almost feel that cold from here in sydney but what a veiw thanks for showing us around

A great 3 part journey, I loved it all!

Great video! This set of three has me itching to get back out and explore =)

I have been to Churchill, and I have friends that live there. Spent a few weeks there with Karen McCall and Kevin Brown. Great people, good time.

Your trip looked like such a cool adventure and I really felt like I was there with you. Love the new hat and I hope to be sporting it soon in soon myself in Milwaukee. Maybe I will take a pic by the Fonzie statue for ya. If you are stuck in Vancouver, may I suggest a day in your life and local neighborhood? That would be cool to see...where does Mike go for groceries? or the outside of bars or restaurants (I know you cant go in) you sport? just a thought...

Thank you for a wonderful trip that we will never be able to do you are opening our eyes to such a wonderful world in a year that as been so dreadful 🎄❄️🐕🥂

It's been nearly 13 years since I stayed a week at the CNSC for a research project. He didn't show it in this video but the CNSC also has a collection of old out buildings that used to be used for rocket launches. I made the mistake of watching one of the old VHS tapes of 'The Thing' which I hadn't seen before on a Friday afternoon that a storm was rolling in. No one told me that everyone else was going home for the weekend and I would be solo, they just left so yeah that was a stressful weekend.

Living in WG, I watched this video with great interest. I really was surprised to see the frozen water, and the idea of walking on it.

I learn so much from your videos Mike 🤓 thanks for the amazing video 🤙🏽 )loving the Downielive Wirth hat 😉 🙏🏽)

I was in Vancouver in july of 2021, I brought home my motor bike I bought, only to find out I need to repair some things on it to drive it. Hopefully in the summer I will be on the road with it, let's hope.. Thanks for you sharing your video.

Fascinating to visit Churchill. I visited for University and work and have been to all the places he talks about as well Fort Prince of Wales and the Rocket Range (Churchill Northern Studies Centre). Small correction. Longest road is 24 km out to the Rocket Range; it's only 7 km to the airport

Gosh this looks absolutely beautiful!!!! I want to go to Churchill!! My gosh that cafe is a dream

Kudooos to you mate by brining your dad along. Parents are our precious gems that cannot be replaced.

Love that you could take your Dad along, cherish those moments. Stay safe, I know Vancouver is a hot spot right now for Covid 19. Here in Kelowna we are only going out if necessary. Way too many cases here and growing. Yikes.