Located in Yukon, Canada’s westernmost territory, winters are characterized by their length, extreme cold, and darkness. This subarctic climate creates an ideal environment for a diverse range of winter sports and stunning landscapes, including rugged mountains, picturesque trails, and glacial alpine lakes. Additionally, it gives rise to a unique annual event: the Hair Freezing Contest.
Each winter at the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Whitehorse, the Hair Freezing Contest takes place, having started in 2011. Initially, the event drew only a few dozen participants with a small prize pool. Fast forward over a decade, and the contest now offers $2,000 in prizes across six categories, and in 2020, it even set a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Frozen Hair Competition” with 288 participants.
As the name implies, the Hair Freezing Contest centers on creating elaborate, whimsical, and frosty hairstyles through the freezing process. Steam rises from the hot springs, which maintain a warm temperature of 42°C (around 107°F). When this steam encounters the frigid air, a thin layer of frost forms around the hair, allowing for artistic frozen creations.
