The Pas

Pronounced "the paw," The Pas is one of the oldest and most striking settlements in northern Manitoba. Set in prime Canadian Shield country, surrounded by transparent blue lakes, granite cliffs and boreal forests, The Pas has a raw natural beauty that makes it a prime destination for outdoorspeople. Located a 400-mile drive or short flight northwest of Winnipeg, visitors to The Pas come for the outdoors and the aboriginal culture. Lake Athapapuskow, which surrounds the community, is known for its lake trout. Northern pike give anglers a great fight on long spring and fall days on Neso Lake. Visitors come up for a stay at Bakers Narrows Lodge ...

Pronounced "the paw," The Pas is one of the oldest and most striking settlements in northern Manitoba. Set in prime Canadian Shield country, surrounded by transparent blue lakes, granite cliffs and boreal forests, The Pas has a raw natural beauty that makes it a prime destination for outdoorspeople. Located a 400-mile drive or short flight northwest of Winnipeg, visitors to The Pas come for the outdoors and the aboriginal culture. Lake Athapapuskow, which surrounds the community, is known for its lake trout. Northern pike give anglers a great fight on long spring and fall days on Neso Lake. Visitors come up for a stay at Bakers Narrows Lodge to see the northern lights year round, learn about aboriginal history and art, and try their hand at ice-fishing. Train travelers come up in winter for what has to be one of the most unique festivals in Canada. The Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival has been going on since 1916. Real men carry 400-lb sacks of flour, start a fire and then boil tea, all part of the dozens of zany and serious competitions and celebrations honoring the history and ongoing lives of trappers in northern Manitoba.

About the Expert

Catherine Senecal is the author of Pelicans to Polar Bears, a wildlife viewing guide to Manitoba, and has written about Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and other places for Michelin Guides, Rand McNally, and Reader’s Digest Atlas.