Winter weather at the lodge can vary a great deal from one day to the next; from a “warm” +5 degrees Celsius to a cold – 40 degrees Celsius.  That does not include wind chill factor, which can subtract another 20-30 degrees. 

 

In our experience, layering is the best way to stay warm.  A base layer of long underwear, (with a variety of different warmth ratings) a mid-layer of Polar Fleece, and a minimum of a premium goose down parka and down snow pants.

 

Layering is also important when getting in and out of a heated vehicle.  A deep tunnel hood will help to keep the wind from your face, as will a fur ruff.  A neoprene face mask that covers the nose and lower face should also prevent frostbite and windburn.  A Polar Fleece cap, warn under the hood will get you through the really cold, windy days, as will something to keep the wind off your face.  Water repellency is not paramount in below freezing temperatures, since snow simply brushes off, leaving little moisture to soak into the outer fabric.  Mountain climbing clothing is light to carry in a pack, but lacks the tough outer fabric.

We recommend Canada Goose- Snow Mantra the warmest and most popular on our workshops,  North Face, Northern Expedition . Be sure to check the temperature rating especially for the Polar Bear Workshop in Churchill to be suitable for -30+ C. 

 

Standing for long periods of time in snow, in low temperatures, can cool the warmest of boots, even with toe warmers inside.  We recommend the warmest boots that you can find.  Manufacturers such as Baffin, Sorrel, or Cabala's all provide good boots.  However, they should be rated for at least -100 degrees Celsius to keep your toes toasty.  The inner liners should be removed daily, and allowed to dry overnight to provide the best performance.  Merino wool sox are a good bet, as they are very warm, and will wick moisture away from your feet, keeping them warmer.  Cotton clothing retains moisture, and can quickly draw heat from your body parts by conduction. 

Sorrel  or Absolute Zero Boots. 

 

Merino wool undergarments and socks and glove liners. Be sure they are 100% merino wool or min 90% blend.  Icebreaker is a great manufacturer of these products www.icebreaker.com .Socks you will need to layer up. Look for outdoor socks-30 or -40C 

 

Hand protection is best accomplished with a three layer approach.  Extra large down mittens, warn over convertible fingerless gloves/mittens, warn over a base layer of glove liners,  seems to be the best option for keeping shutter fingers warm. Icebreaker makes 100% merino wool liners. The addition of disposable chemical hand warmers (6-8 per day) in the convertible mittens and the parka hand warmer pockets will help to keep frostbite at bay.  Frostbite is a very real issue when handling tripods and cameras, and when changing batteries. Alpaca wool is also as warm as Merino wool. 

 

 

Note: Camera batteries lose considerable power in cold weather, and require changing to warm ones stored inside a parka (in a plastic baggie, to prevent condensation).  Lenses and other camera equipment also gather condensation, when brought from a cold environment into a warm one.  Extra large Zip-Loc Baggies can prevent moisture, when the equipment is stabilizing its temperature.  Internal lens groups have been known to fog up, if not given enough time to stabilize their temperature.  Carbon fiber tripods do not seem to be as much a problem with touching them with moist hands and freezing one’s skin to them as do aluminum ones, thus reducing the need for foam covers for the legs.  The foam will pad them for carrying over the shoulder.

 

Sun glasses and sun screen are necessary, and will also provide protection from the wind, which is often brisk, as will lots of hand cream, as the humidity is quite low in winter. 

 

Small, portable tissue packs can be helpful when out on the land. An electric adapter to allow several battery chargers to plug into the same wall plug is also a good idea.  They each draw very little amperage, but most of our guests seem to have several different types of chargers.  Be sure to check the voltage of where you are staying to ensure you have the correct voltage conversion plugs.

 

Winter workshops include:

-Polar Bears and Cubs Photography Workshop Churchill Manitoba

-Wild Owls Photogrpahy Workshop