Winter skies
Aurora & Astronomy in Churchill
Immerse yourself in our magnificent
Northern Lights
Upcoming Learning Vacations
Six days
Experience the magic of the North under some of the clearest, darkest skies. The Winter Skies Learning Vacation offers an immersive six-day adventure blending science, culture, and unforgettable outdoor experiences in Churchill, Manitoba!
From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed into the dynamic learning environment featuring engaging lectures led by Aurora experts, hands-on workshops, and talks on northern science, astronomy, and local ecology.
Participants will explore Churchill and the surrounding subarctic landscape with a guided town tour, a thrilling dogsledding experience at Wapusk Adventure, and an outdoor adventure showcasing the region’s winter environment. Cultural programming, including beading workshops and traditional teachings, provides meaningful opportunities to connect with northern heritage and knowledge.
Each evening offers the chance to step outside and witness the awe-inspiring night sky. With a bit of luck and clear conditions, participants will experience the northern lights dancing overhead.
Designed for curious minds and adventurous spirits, Winter Skies is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn, explore, and connect!
Sample Itinerary
Orientation & Building Tour
Get settled at the Centre and take a compelling journey through our environmentally friendly LEED-certified research station.
Current Research Presentation
Hear all about the critical research being done at the CNSC and the impacts it could have.
Dog sledding
Learn about the history and philosophy of dog sledding in Churchill from a local musher as you experience it first-hand
Ithaca Excursion
Travel by komatik — a traditional Inuit sled pulled by snowmobile— across the frozen Hudson Bay to the historic wreck of the Ithaca, a steamship that ran aground in the 1960s. Be greeted by a warm fire and hot chocolate as you take in this striking piece of northern maritime history.
Rocket Range Tour
Take a guided tour of the Churchill Rocket Research Range National Historic Site – built in 1954 – and learn about its ties to the Canadian Space Agency and NASA.
Beading Workshop
The beading workshop offers participants a hands-on introduction to traditional northern craftsmanship, guided by local knowledge and cultural teachings. Through this creative experience, participants gain insight into the artistic practices and cultural significance of beadwork in the North.
Subarctic Outdoor Adventure
Spend time outdoors experiencing some of the North’s most beloved winter activities. Strap on snowshoes and journey through forested trails and across a frozen kettle pond, learn about snow ecology while cutting blocks for an inukshuk or igloo, and ride in a komatik— a traditional Inuit sled pulled by snowmobile—while keeping watch for local wildlife.
Churchill and Area Tour
Visit the Itsanitaq Museum, where you will listen to an interpretive tour and spend time looking at various Inuit carvings and artifacts while learning more about Churchill and Indigenous history. At the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, you will take an interpretive tour and learn more about Churchill’s history.
Cultural talk
Presentation or demonstration from Cree, Metis, Dene and Inuit peoples, including traditional knowledge and cultural history sharing, smudging, and drumming circles. The CNSC is located on Treaty 5 land.
Farewell
We’ll transport you back to the train station or airport and make sure you’re set up with our photo sharing app so you can keep in touch with your new contacts.
Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of winter in the north!
See the Northern Lights from the comfort of your home with help from Explore.org! This live camera is located at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Late winter and early spring are the best times for the aurora, so be sure to stop in during nighttime hours in February and March.
Why choose a Learning Vacation?
Notable experts
Your expert instructor will be with you for the duration of your visit, providing insight and information every step of the way. Plus, your guide will provide engaging, in-depth lectures every evening, allowing you to develop a genuine connection to the subject.
Northern Appreciation
Each Learning Vacation features a mix of scientific, cultural, and true-to-Churchill activities, ensuring that your visit is fun, educational, and authentic. You will hear unique perspectives from members of the Churchill community as they share their skills and knowledge with you.
Convenience & Affordability
At the Centre, we provide all essential services, including high quality meals, housekeeping, gear rentals, and transportation within the town. Plus, our communal accommodations help keep costs competitive. Once you book your Learning Vacation, the only other thing to do is arrange your travel to Churchill — and we can help.
Exclusive location
The Centre is located inside the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, about 23 kilometres outside of town. From the safety of our outdoor viewing platform, you'll get some truly wild views of local species, like migratory birds and a variety of terrestrial mammals. And before bed, don't forget to keep your eyes on the sky from the warmth of our indoor Aurora dome.
contribution to research
Your participation will also have a major impact on subarctic research, since you'll be helping to provide scientists with an affordable, accessible location to continue their valuable work. As an independent, registered non-profit research station, the CNSC invests all revenue into its mission to understand and sustain the north.
“Overall – a wonderful experience – primary objectives were met in spades! Ronald Waldron, our “Starman” expert on the northern lights, provided wonderful educational lectures and did a marvellous job of ensuring that we saw the best of the northern lights displays at every opportunity. The daytime programs were also so well run, providing many educational opportunities. A special shout-out to the wonderful staff and our 3 volunteers. The accommodations were also very comfortable, and the meals were great!”
Martha, Winter Skies Participant (March 2026 )
at the Centre
Your Learning Vacation includes accommodations, on-site meals, tours, activities, lectures, and travel within Churchill.
Guest rooms accommodate four people in bunk beds, with individual closet space, a small writing desk, bedside shelves, and individual reading lamps. We provide all linens, including bed sheets, comforters, and towels. Separate female and male washrooms have toilets, sinks, and private showers.
The building is equipped with top-of-the-line wireless internet. Local calls can be made from the Weston Family Welcome Lounge. Please note that cellular coverage is unreliable at the CNSC.
Your financial contribution has a major impact. Not only does it cover the costs of running the Learning Vacation, but it also allows us to provide researchers an affordable, accessible location to continue their valuable work.
Meet out Aurora Experts
Your expert instructor will be with you for the duration of your visit, providing insight and information every step of the way.
Mike Gere
Mike Gere, based in Jasper, Alberta, is a seasoned photographer with a passion for night, wildlife, and landscape photography. Since 2015, he has been leading photography expeditions in Churchill, Manitoba, helping enthusiasts enhance their skills in capturing the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis. Beyond photography, Mike delves into the science and cultural myths surrounding this natural phenomenon, offering a comprehensive learning experience.
Ron Waldron
Ron Waldron is a Saskatchewan educator with 36 years of classroom experience in the Saskatoon Public School Division, where he introduced portable planetariums and trained over 200 teachers in their use while serving as planetarium director, and also worked as a tour guide at the University of Saskatchewan observatory. An avid amateur astronomer, he remains active with the Saskatoon Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and is widely known as Saskatchewan’s own “Starman.”
Now the proprietor of Living Skies Stargazing, Ron delivers engaging astronomy outreach across the province through digitally illustrated talks and telescope viewing experiences, and frequently travels to Churchill, Manitoba and Bergen, Norway to help visitors witness and understand the northern lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
About winter skies
Fees for Winter Skies are $3200 CDN in 2027. This covers accommodations, on-site meals, tours, activities, and lectures, and travel within Churchill.
A non-refundable deposit is due upon booking.
For monthly payment options, please contact our finance department.
Your financial contribution has a major impact. Not only does it cover the costs of running the Learning Vacation, but it also allows us to provide researchers an affordable, accessible location ( board, lab space, equipment, access to the north) to continue their valuable work.
Plus, each guest will receive CNSC membership for one year, ensuring you can stay up-to-date on all our activities.
At time of booking, a 20% of the total trip fee is due immediately. This deposit is non-refundable, except in cases of trip cancellation due to low registration numbers (see Refund Policy).
Payments for Learning Vacation bookings are due 60 days before the start of the trip, and are non-refundable. Bookings made within 60 days of the Learning Vacation will need to be paid in full.
Click here to see the full Learning Vacation Payment and Cancellation policy.
In the event that you need to cancel or reschedule your trip for personal reasons, your deposit will not be refunded.
If you decide to cancel before 60 days prior to the arrival date of your Learning Vacation, you will receive your full payment, less the deposit and transaction fees.
If you decide to cancel within 60 days of your arrival of your Learning Vacation, no refund will be granted.
Click here to see the full Learning Vacation Payment and Cancellation policy.
About a week after you leave, we will send you a survey so you can provide feedback on your experience.
Since your Learning Vacation fees also includes a one-year membership to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, you will receive a copy of The Birdfish magazine to help keep you updated on all our activities.
Of course, you are always welcome to book another Learning Vacation, or experience the CNSC a different way by applying for a Volunteer Expedition.
Churchill is accessible only by train and airplane. ViaRail and Calm Air offer regular return service from Winnipeg to Churchill. We are happy to help you figure out schedules if you need it.
Once you arrive in town, we will pick you up and get you settled in at the Centre.
You will be assigned a room within the CNSC for the duration of your stay.
Guest rooms accommodate up to four people in bunk beds, with individual closet space, a small writing desk, bedside shelves, and individual reading lamps. We provide all linens, including bed sheets, comforters, and towels.
Separate female and male washrooms have low flow toilets, sinks, and private showers. Washing machines are available every evening.
The building is equipped with top-of-the-line wireless internet. Local calls can be made from the Weston Family Welcome Lounge. Please note that cellular coverage is unreliable at the CNSC.
The Centre has a small gift shop which carries postcards, stamps, books, CNSC brand clothing, locally made jams and jellies, and other souvenirs.
Yes! Once you book, we will send you a Welcome Package that includes a packing list for each season. And if you need anything while you’re here, we have a selection of gear available to rent.
We can provide meat and vegetarian options. We will do our best to accommodate other needs, provided you give us ample notice of your needs, but we cannot make any guarantees.