‘Alone’ Season 11 Location: Everything You Need to Know

No season of Alone is going to be a walk in the park. But the show’s latest location poses challenges that could sink the toughest and most skilled survivalist. 

In season 11, 10 participants are dropped north of the Arctic Circle, in a region of Canada known for its frigid temperatures, dangerous predators, and winter days that pass in almost total darkness. Who will be the last one standing? And how long will they be able to endure the harsh conditions? 

‘Alone’ Season 11 heads 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle 

Past seasons of Alone have challenged participants to survive in locations such as British Columbia, Mongolia, Patagonia, Northern Saskatchewan, and Labrador. This time, contestants are heading to Inuvik in Canada’s Northwest Territories, 120 miles above the Arctic Circle and just south of the Arctic Ocean. It’s the coldest location in the show’s history.

Each cast member will set up camp somewhere in the Mackenzie River Delta on land that is the traditional home of the Gwich’in people. The 4,700-square-mile delta consists of mazes of channels, lakes, marshes, and ponds. In the Alone: Before the Drop special that aired on June 13, one participant describes it as an Arctic version of the Everglades. 

This part of the world may not be home to many people, but it is far from empty. Roughly 5,000 grizzly bears and 4,000 wolves live in the region. Moose and wolverines are also present, as are beaver, caribou, and other animals. The abundant wildlife could help the participants survive, if their hunting, trapping, and fishing efforts are successful. But it’s also a very real threat, and everyone involved will have to respect the surrounding environment if they hope to have a chance at winning the show’s $500,000 prize. 

Bitter cold may be the biggest challenge on this season of ‘Alone’

Given how far north this season’s location is, the biggest challenge facing the Alone Season 11 participants will likely be the cold and the challenges that come with it. Temperatures can drop to -40 F.

“What’s gonna drive people out from here is hunger and cold,” said cast member Isaiah Tuck, a game warden from West Virginia, in the Before the Drop special. “This is the coldest location possible. The progression of winter is very prominent. And it’s coming hard … This place is going to suck. There’s no illusion in my mind that this is going to be easy.” 

Fellow contestant Dub Paetz, a wilderness skills instructor from Michigan, agreed. He called season 11 “tougher than any other” and predicted that multiple contestants would tap out early on in the challenge. 

“I think this season might be one of the shorter ones just from our extreme location,” said Peter Albano, a librarian from British Columbia. 

Even those with a lot of experience in tough environments realize that this season of Alone will test them in ways they don’t expect. 

“I’ve hunted and fished and trapped all my life in Labrador,” said William Larkham Jr, who works as a commercial fisherman. “And Labrador’s a very tough environment. But up here, it’s like there’s a whole new ballgame.” 

Alone Season 11 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on History Channel.  

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