About Us
Find about who we are, our history of 25+ years in business, our social responsibility and what guests of Weber Arctic are saying
Who We Are
A family of polar explorers. Richard, Josée, Tessum and Nansen have spent the past 25 years exploring the polar regions. Having lead some of the first polar expeditions to successfuly reach the North Pole, set speed records at both poles, recipient of the Order of Canada, renowned Arctic Wildlife photographer and worldclass polar guides, the Weber family knows Arctic. They’ve skied, kayaked, hiked and explored across Canada’s far north.
Our History
The Arctic is one of the last unspoiled areas on earth, it’s somewhere everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Richard and Josée first began exploring the Arctic in 1985, and in 1993 they ran their first commercial trek to the North Pole - and Weber Arctic was born. From 1993 to 2000 the Webers organized skiing, hiking and kayak adventures throughout Nunavut.
In 2000, Arctic Watch on the shores of Somerset Island in the Northwest Passage was purchased because it offered so much of what the Arctic holds - all in one location. Guests can kayak with beluga whales; fish for arctic char; go ATVing or river rafting; see icebergs, polar bear, and muskox; visit archaeological sites and bird rookeries; hike the Badlands; and so much more. Since the existing structure had been empty for several years, it required a lot of hard work to prepare for guests. In 2007, a bulldozer was driven across the ice of the Northwest Passage from Resolute Bay to Arctic Watch. It took a week, but enabled them to build an airstrip so now guests can comfortably fly direct from Yellowknife, NWT in three hours. Arctic Watch has a short summer and is only open for the months of July and August enabling guests to take full advantage of the midnight sun.
By 2008, it was time to look for a location for a second Arctic lodge. The Webers found it on Ennadai Lake in the Barren Grounds. The original structure was built in 2002 as a fishing & aurora borealis lodge that ran from 2003-2005. In 2013 after partnering with Aleeasuk Idlout and Aziz Kheraj of Resolute Bay, Richard and Josée reopened the lodge and renamed it Arctic Haven. The location is a perfect complement to Arctic Watch - it’s an equally magnificent, yet completely different region of the Arctic. Home to hundreds of thousands of caribou, wolves, wolverines, foxes, birds and more. Experience world-class fishing, hike alongside caribou on their migratory path, kayak the 84 km long lake, and snowmobile. Arctic Haven offers adventure packages in the Spring (April-June) and Fall (End of August - September) - the perfect time to take in the majesty of the northern lights.
In 2022, with the extremely unfortunate decline of the caribou population, the Weber Family decided to close Arctic Haven. Read more on the press release here.
In 2015, the Weber Family took the next step towards building a new basecamp. Having led numerous expeditions across Baffin Island, the Weber family knew that the fiords of Baffin held good skiing with the potential for a heli-skiing site. An arctic adventure that would not only show guests a unique arctic mountain setting, but provide access to the world’s northernmost heli-skiing tenure in a place that few have ever set foot upon. Nestled amongst the granite walls of the Arctic cordillera, Basecamp Baffin was born. Basecamp Baffin is open in April and May annually.
Testimonials
John Pape and Lou WoodWe had the best time with you this week! This is, without a doubt, the best vacation we’ve ever had. We will never forget you or this beautiful land. Thanks for everything.
Sue, Craig, Erin & Kenny TaylorYou have provided as awesome experience for us. What an amazing staff to have in an amazing and beautiful place. Words cannot truly express what a most wonderful time we have had. In two weeks we saw the arctic seasons, the animals and birds and the whales. Thanks again for showing your arctic home and gracious hospitality with us. It is absolutely beautiful and incredible here.
Bill LendeThe Weber Family spares no effort to ensure their guests’ safety, comfort and learning experience at their handsome lodge. The meals are gourmet and the staff wel l-educated and attentive. The whale sightings are unbelievable. We saw 500 mothers and calves close in…
Paula ErdleMy thoughts are continually drawn back to Arctic Watch — to the fresh air, the whale songs, the delicious foods, and the delightful camaraderie of staff and guests! I especially enjoyed the silence — no traffic noises, no beeping or ringing or honking, no planes overhead, no TV or radio, no sounds of industry or construction — just the wind, waves, and whales. The silence was a complete surprise to me. I hadn’t really given it a thought beforehand, but it was incredible and welcome.
The race (not that I was actually racing in the sense of moving along quickly) was spectacular! I stopped worrying about polar bears fairly early on because there was so much beauty to contemplate. Who’d have thought that dirt and rocks and hills and floating ice chunks would be totally captivating?! And I had been very concerned about crossing ice-cold streams and having to run many more km’s with wet feet (having been mildly frostbitten many years ago). As many streams as we crossed (it was about 75, right?), I never noticed whether my feet were wet or cold or unhappy. I was too busy looking around me and marveling at how many colors there are in dirt and rocks. (Oh yeah, and I was also trying to find the next orange flag…)
I cannot thank you enough — all of you! — for providing me with a unique and wonderful experience. You are excellent hosts/guides/companions, and Arctic Watch itself is just perfect! (And did I mention that I’ve been unable to make anyone believe that the “kitchen gang” could turn out food that was delicious beyond description!)
Now I understand the comment of one of your guests who was flying out of Arctic Watch as we were flying in. He said it was a “magical place”. He was spot on! And although I had thought this would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me, I’m not so sure I won’t be back. I have no idea how or when, but I know that I want to return.
Crystal RochWe had such an amazing time up at your lodge. What a truly unique experience. We will not soon forget the absolutely amazing hospitality, great food, and of course the stunning beauty of the area in which you are located. You are all amazingly gracious hosts. The service level was truly exceptional. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us this great opportunity and keeping things open for us well into the cold season so that we could all get a taste of that part of the world.
Thanks again... You have a wonderful family and team.
Ilmar KentWe took our 12 and 9 year old grandchildren with us and the staff made every effort to educate and make their experience astounding. Josee was the best and made us feel a part of the lodge family. Every experience was memorable and the excursions showed us what the north of Canada was really like. The food was gourmet all the way from breakfast to dinner. Thank you for the great adventure!
Janice S.Josee, Richard, Tessum and Nansen
I have safely returned home to the US and have had a little time to digest my 9 days in the Canadian Arctic.
I've been blessed to have traversed the corners of the globe during my lifetime. However, this trip was a singular experience. It's rare that the beauty of a place is so diverse and all encompassing – almost otherworldly. Narwhals, belugas, polar bears, ice, ocean and endless sky - the trip nourished me in the way only the world’s natural beauty can.
If that weren't enough, the experience was pushed over the top by the incredible people I met. As a solo traveler, I admit that I felt a little apprehensive to go on this big trip by myself. This unease was instantly squashed at the start of the trip when I was enveloped in the inclusive community you've created at your camp. The Artic Watch staff were attentive, thoughtful, patient, knowledgeable, protective, and kind – all mixed with a great sense of adventure and fun. I could go on forever calling out the specific characteristics of the crew, but even more, the collective group was magic.
My fellow travelers were generous and joyous.
It's ironic I went to one of the coldest places on earth and found some of the warmest people. Something inside of me thawed – and I left feeling that I have reclaimed a vital part of my being.
I will treasure the memories and friends I made in the Arctic.
My life is fuller because of this experience. Keep doing what you are doing !
In deepest gratitude,
Jan
Pat & RichardRichard, Josee, Tessum, Nansen and the whole team at Weber Arctic,
Now that we are home, we find ourselves often thinking of our trip to the Arctic. It was truly the "trip of a lifetime" for us; one that we had looked forward to for many years. The adventure lived up to our very expectations and we will savour the memories for a very long time. The enthusiastic yet calm, warm and relaxed atmosphere that you all created was a large contributor to our enjoyment. We loved the activities and the food was incredible! Thank you so much for showing us the amazing experiences that you created in the Arctic!
Bev & Peter ShramNo adventure trip we have ever taken, before or since, has EVER compared with our days with you in the Cunningham inlet. Being a born and bred South African, everything about the flora, fauna, well…….. the entire locale, was beyond my ken, starting right from the first night we spent in Yellowknife. I can call up so many images of our daily explorations with you, that it is often as close, in my mind’s eye as if it was just yesterday.
Bev & Peter, South Africa
We're here to help.
We understand that booking a trip like this is a big endeavour. Please reach out to us with any questions that you might have regarding your upcoming adventure.
Social Responsibility
The Arctic is an environmentally fragile area. Due to the locations of Arctic Watch, we are keenly aware of the sensitive nature of the land and wildlife that surrounds us, and as such, we strive to make as little impact as possible. The maximum number of guests per week at Arctic Arctic Watch is 26. These are the numbers we feel the land can support and not disturb the animals. Our airstrip has been designed to decrease the impact on the environment. A system of trails are maintained to prevent scarring the land. At Arctic Watch water is sourced from the Cunningham River. The black sewage is mulched and deposited in a small lagoon (4x2 metres), where it naturally breaks down. We have two of these small lagoons, and it takes approximately six or seven years to fill, by which time the other one is ready to be used again. Grey water is filtered then pumped out of the camp to a specially prepared bed where it evaporates and is absorbed back into the gravel. We use environmentally-friendly products are used for cleaning. Additionally, we take care to ensure our garbage is handled in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Metal, glass, plastic and non-burnable garbage is packaged and returned to Yellowknife. All burnable refuse is disposed of in our incinerators. The federal government makes yearly inspections to ensure that all of our systems conform to the environmental standards.
The changes to the Arctic climate have been drastic over the last few years, therefore we keep the number of guests to a minimum so not to disturb the local ecosystem.
Notice, as per regulatory requirements: This website describes activities carried out under licenses pursuant to the Tourism Act. Weber presently is seeking license renewals to conduct licensed activities for the 2024 season. During the ongoing licensing process, Weber does not hold an active outfitter’s license or tourist establishment license pursuant to the Tourism Act. By using this website you agree and understand that Weber is not a current license-holder and is not offering services requiring such licenses, pending their issuance. We are proud to have operated for the past twenty plus years in Nunavut.