Santa lets reindeer rest, takes twin otter to Labrador Coast instead

Most people travelling to Labrador are heading north,but not Santa.

When asked why St. Nick came to Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville and her hometown of Hopedale, 9-year-oldLaura Winters figured it's "because it's close to the North Pole."

But the man in red gave a different reason during Saturday's travels.

"They don't have a shopping centre where Santa is in the centre in the mall," he said.

"So this is an opportunity for me to spend time with the boys and girls."

Families braved the cold to watch Santa touch down on their community's air strip. A photo opportunity was then held inside the airport, or at a school or recreaction centre.

"It's got to be at least minus 30 C with the windchill," said Karen Andersen of Makkovik.

Andersenbrought her two-year-old granddaughter, Rochelle, for her first-ever visit with the big guy.

"The cold don't matter," she laughed. "It's Christmas season."

High winds pushed this year's trip back a few hours.

Pilots also reversed the scheduled flight path in hopes Hopedale's 40-knot winds would die down later in the day.

The project, called Santa to the Coast, has been happening for more than 25 years.

It occurs during the toy workshop's busy season, so Santa enlists the help of Air Labrador and Happy Valley-Goose Bay's Rotary Club.

The airline lets the reindeers rest up for the big night while the Rotary givesthe elves a break by putting together loot bags with candy canes, chips and fruit.