Sarah McNair-Landry

Sarah McNair-Landry, a pioneering Arctic adventurer and filmmaker, has made a name for herself through extraordinary feats in some of the coldest and most challenging environments on Earth. Growing up in Nunavut with the Arctic Ocean and a team of sled dogs as her backyard, McNair-Landry’s early exposure to the polar regions shaped her remarkable career. She is the youngest person to have traveled to both the North and South Poles and has crossed the Greenland Ice Cap five times, showcasing her unparalleled endurance and skill.

Her adventurous spirit extends to kite skiing, having traversed 3,300 kilometers and retraced the Northwest Passage. She spent 120 days circumnavigating Baffin Island by dog team and embarked on a notable 2016 expedition across the Greenland Ice Cap with Erik Boomer and Ben Stookesberry, seeking first descents of Arctic rivers. This daring adventure is chronicled in the film *Into Twin Galaxies* (Mountainfilm 2017).

McNair-Landry is the founder and owner of NorthWinds Expeditions and holds the distinction of being the first woman recognized as a Master Polar Guide by the International Polar Guides Association. Her expertise in polar guiding is complemented by her work in film; she has directed several documentaries including *Way of the North*, *Gauge*, and *A Baffin Vacation* (Mountainfilm 2023), as well as productions for the National Film Board of Canada.

Sarah McNair-Landry continues to inspire through her exploration and storytelling, offering a unique perspective on Arctic adventure and conservation.