Wildlife guide, wildlife filmmaker & Arctic artist
About Us
Founder
Kelsey Eliasson
As owner and founder of Polar Bear Alley, Kelsey promotes nature conservation through his wildlife expeditions, filmmaking, tours and writing about wildlife, northern history and people. He has worked as a dog musher, polar bear guide, natural history consultant and heritage interpreter, run a newspaper in the north, and travelled the world on expeditions while filming documentaries and guiding tours.
He is also known as one of the three main characters – the veteran polar bear guide – in the documentary reality series Polar Bear Town, filmed in 2015 and aired in 2017, which tells the story of Churchill, its locals and their relationship with wildlife.
On film
Guiding on Hudson Bay
Video: Earth Touch
Why Polar Bear Alley
Why book your polar bear experience with us?
Authentic experience
Churchill’s quirky charm makes it one of the most authentic wildlife destinations in the world. The town is full of vibrant characters – and founder Kelsey Eliasson is one of them, with 25+ years walking with polar bears and a deep knowledge of the town’s history and wildlife behaviour.
Sustainable travel
We drive low-emission Ford F150 hybrids, and part of every tour goes to carbon offsets through Plan International’s “I Am A Girl” programme – supporting the people most affected by climate change.
Protection & wellbeing
Besides our guests’ safety, the wildlife’s wellbeing is our priority. Every encounter is about reading the animal’s comfort level and how it communicates – respectful, never intrusive.
Small group tours
A maximum of nine guests with a 3:1 guide ratio. In our 4×4 trucks and Broncos every guest has personal space and their own window – a big difference from a van with windows that don’t open.
Expert guides
Our guides know the wildlife inside out and are committed to your safety and enjoyment, making every moment one of learning and wonder.
Testimonials
What our guests say
“Photographing the Churchill Polar Bears has been on our wish list for a number of years. We came away from the trip with a deep appreciation of these magnificent animals. From sunrise to sunset, we took thousands of images. Our guides shared their vast knowledge of the bears and Churchill. Hands down, they placed us in the right location at the right time to see these beautiful animals in action. Wonderfilled trip of a lifetime!”
— D. Rohn “I’ve been to Svalbard but the Churchill experience was far above & beyond! Being on the ground with experienced guides and able to get ‘eye to eye’ with them (safely) was truly beautiful. Thank you for making this happen!”
— Deborah Kozura “This was my first expedition looking for polar bears and it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Guides were amazing and so knowledgeable about the history of the area, habitat behaviour, and environmental impact. Searching for bears and seeing them was exceptional – it was a lifetime of memories.”
— L.G. “Seeing the polar bears was an unforgettable experience. These majestic Kings and Queens of the Arctic was a dream come true to see. As a bear lover, this was a thrill of a lifetime. We had the best guides and gave us a trip with full days and entertaining nights. Seeing the Aurora Borealis two nights was a plus! We loved our time in Churchill and seeing polar bears. The trip was perfect!”
— Deborah Carr
Churchill, Manitoba
The polar bear capital of the world
Churchill is a frontier town on the icy shores of Hudson Bay, where some 1,000 polar bears and 800 humans must get along year-round. It welcomes around 10,000 visitors in the fall polar bear season and thousands more in beluga season.
Its chaotic, quirky northern charm makes it one of the most authentic tour experiences in the world – the ultimate destination for nature lovers and wildlife photographers. The town is compact and walkable, but remember: you're in polar bear territory. Always follow local safety signs and never venture outside town on foot without a guide.
Your Arctic adventure awaits
Get up close with polar bears, marvel at the Northern Lights and experience the breathtaking beauty of the tundra. Your adventure of a lifetime starts here.