Pack Ice

March 1 – March 31

Fogo Island is perched in the powerful Labrador Current, which brings multi-year pack ice to the Island’s shores beginning around “the long hungry month” of March. Moving and breathing with the current, the pack ice creaks, groans, sparkles, and shimmers in the sunlight as seals rest on the floes and seabirds circle overhead.

Holding the best of winter alongside the hope of spring, Pack Ice Season is starkly dramatic- the perfect time for landscape and wildlife photography. Local people and visitors alike take advantage of longer, sunnier days and still-perfect conditions for snowmobiling and snowshoeing through the Island’s interior. 

In outport Newfoundland, we talk about the “long hungry month of March.” At this time of year, everyone is eager for fishing, gardening and berry picking to begin again.

During Pack Ice season, we appreciate the rich-yolked eggs laid by free-range island hens, quails and ducks more than ever. Salt meat comes into its own, and a local diver brings us mussels and sea urchins—firm-fleshed and super fresh, thanks to the fast-moving and chilly waters of the Labrador Current. Fishers clean, mend and ready their boats and gear for spring.

Seaweed is ever abundant, and we use it in broths and powders, as well as blanched and chopped. With currant and toasted alder woods, we make infused oils. Our Executive Chef, Tim Charles, meets with local growers to discuss seed selections and plan for the coming year—it’s also a chance to banter, after hunkering down all winter.