Written by Kelly Littlechilds; Owner and Operator of Arctic Lodges
In the early months of 2022, my wife Andrea and I, the owners of Arctic Lodges, were diligently preparing for the upcoming summer season. While buried in our lodge duties, we discovered a binge worthy TV show by the History Channel called “ALONE.” This genuine survivalist series drops contestants in remote locations, challenging them to survive with minimal supplies. Intrigued, we watched all six available seasons, eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Amidst our anticipation for the release of the next season of ALONE, I headed to the lodge with my maintenance crew to begin annual building projects and prepare the camp for the upcoming season. It was during this time that Andrea informed me of a lady that had contacted us expressing interest in filming a TV show at our lodge. Although we often received requests from a variety of fishing shows, Andrea mentioned that this one felt different. Despite Andrea’s initial hesitation, the contact person turned out to be from ITV, one of the world’s largest production companies, responsible for producing the very show we had recently become infatuated with—ALONE.
Astounded by the coincidence, I immediately contacted them, confirming that indeed, ALONE Season 10 was seeking to film on Reindeer Lake, and wanted Arctic Lodges to host their crew.
Just like that, a helicopter carrying the main producer and head field guide arrived the next morning. Meeting them, I was pleasantly surprised by their down-to-earth demeanor. As we toured the camp, the producer expressed how our location’s size, with infinite lake access and surrounding islands, combined with the lodge’s remoteness and operational setup, made it an ideal fit for hosting their production and safety crews.
After a brief discussion, excitement filled the air as we agreed that Arctic Lodges would be the home base for ALONE Season 10, and as time flew by we realized the need to promptly transform our exclusively summer fishing lodge into a winter haven to accommodate the ALONE crew.
Preparation
Realizing the constraints of our limited time yet the extensive tasks at hand, I gathered my crew to discuss the plan: we needed to overhaul and winterize the camp. Trenches had to be dug throughout the site to install new waterlines. Considering our location in the far north, where the frost line reaches around 10 feet deep, digging such deep trenches wasn’t feasible. Instead, we opted for trenches at 3 feet deep, which were then insulated and equipped with heat trace to prevent freezing. Additionally, a submersible water pump was strategically placed in the lake, ensuring it wouldn’t get clogged with ice.
Our next focus was insulating specific buildings, particularly the lodge, where multiple water lines converge. Anticipating that the heat provided by our world famous “heart of the lodge” wood fireplace would only suffice for a limited period, we took the initiative to install diesel heaters in most of the buildings and cabins.
As the Safety Crew arrived, so did their gear, necessitating the daily operation of the barge, for transporting materials to the lodge, and the bobcat, which facilitated loading and unloading.
With a small, trustworthy crew at hand, I seized the opportunity to briefly fly out and spend time with my family, confident that the lodge was in capable hands. It was reassuring to know that even in my absence, the team treated the responsibilities as if they were their own, and for that, I remain grateful.
As time passed, the days grew colder, and the realization set in that a substantial amount of firewood would be necessary. Initially providing nearly 20 full bags of firewood, equivalent to more than 10 cords, I quickly realized that it wouldn’t last long. Fast thinking became crucial as boating or barging firewood became impractical due to the lake freezing over. Thanks to the assistance of the safety crew, our team was flown out by helicopter to a designated burn site. There, they efficiently cut wood and filled firewood bags, which were then airlifted back to the camp.
Transportation
Situated on a secluded island in the middle of Reindeer Lake, Arctic Lodges faces unique challenges in transporting guests and cargo to and from camp. The presence of a privately owned airstrip has proven to be a significant asset, facilitating regular flights—a crucial element for the production of the Alone Show. Additionally, the channel on which our lodge sits witnessed the arrival of numerous floatplanes carrying production crew members and essential supplies like food and propane. Looking back, life seemed simpler then, but with the onset of freeze-up, new responsibilities were emerging.
As ice covered the channel, the float planes could no longer land and we had to remove our boats and docks for storage until the next spring. As expensive helicopter charters became our only lifeline, plans were set in motion to prepare our private airstrip for winter operations, allowing charter planes to land with much-needed supplies. The primary challenge lay in snow removal, an unfamiliar task as we are generally only operational during the summer. However, our adept lodge staff ingeniously rigged an old tractor bucket for this purpose.
Facing bitter winds, the crew dedicated full days to clearing snow from the strip. Afterward, they would gather near the hangar, warming themselves by a fire, awaiting helicopter pickups. One persistent challenge was waking up on flight arrival day to find there had been overnight snowfall, prompting a hurried effort to clear the runway yet again. Despite occasional scrambles, the immense sense of accomplishment was palpable as charter flights safely touched down repeatedly.
Behind the Scenes of ALONE: Season 10
Owning a fishing lodge, it’s only natural that I – and the staff – are outdoor enthusiasts and, unsurprisingly, a few staff members were already fans of ALONE. The excitement was noticeable when the opportunity arose for us to work behind the scenes, representing Arctic Lodges!
Our firsthand experience included witnessing the strict safety protocols in place for contestant protection, delving into the intricate logistics of production, and collaborating with remarkably skilled filming and post-production crews who had traversed the globe.
We often had the privilege of viewing snippets of footage from contestants as it poured in and we played a role in the rehabilitation protocol for the contestants that had “tapped out” and were leaving the lodge. One major highlight was observing the film crew capturing B-roll footage—nature shots taken from spots where, during the summer, we spent countless hours fishing. Some nights, we joined the crew outdoors, marveling at the spectacular display of northern lights, only to wake up the next morning and find out the footage had already been shot and was being edited.
We’re incredibly thrilled to see both Arctic Lodges and Reindeer Lake showcased in this manner, providing people with a glimpse into our daily lives and the breathtaking scenes we encounter every day while living and working in the region.
We feel truly humbled to have been given the opportunity to contribute to the making of ALONE Season 10. Our sincere thanks go to ITV, Wavelength, and Whitecap for trusting us with housing their crews and for granting Arctic Lodges this extraordinary experience. The anticipation is high as Reindeer Lake takes center stage, allowing the filming to pay homage to the wilderness that has become an integral part of our lives over the years.