Hot springs enthusiasts are hoping for Arctic temperatures in Canada so an annual hair-freezing contest can go forth later this winter. The yearly competition began in 2012, launched by a spa in the Yukon territory that has since produced some hilarious pictures.
In the town of Whitehorse, a 10-hour drive from Juneau, Alaska, bathers dip into the naturally warmed waters at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. If the outdoor temps are cold enough, people can make their hair freeze into wacky shapes.
Contest categories include best female and male, best group, best facial hair, and a people’s choice award, and every category winner receives a $2000 cash prize.
“We kick off the Hair Freezing contest as soon as the temperature drops to -20°C or lower,” said Satyam Jain, a spokesperson for The Hot Springs.
“We usually keep an eye on the forecast to see how long the cold temp will last and start the contest anytime between December and March.”
Their website includes instructions on how to freeze hair:
- Dip your head in the hot springs and wet your hair completely. Don’t worry- freezing your hair won’t damage it.
- Allow the cold air to slowly freeze your hair. Keep your ears warm by periodically dipping them into the hot water. Be patient–all wet hair will eventually freeze, this includes eyebrows and even eyelashes.
- Once your hair has become pure white with lots of frost and ice buildup, ring the bell near the pool entrance and have our staff come out to take your photo!

Everyone is hoping for a cold winter so the spa can continue their long run of contests and for more fun to be enjoyed by the visiting bathers.
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“a lot of people like snow. i find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.’
-carl reiner, american comedian/writer
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source credit: nice news
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I love that kind of crazy stuff! Shame I have so little hair left to freeze. 👴
Best wishes, Pete.
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facial hair option to compete!
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Oh No! I’m bald, so I’m out of the competition …
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facial hair option!
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No no no …
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Crazy but fun!!
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Cheers to all the fearless competitors, Beth. Hard to turn a cold shoulder to their courage!
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great punning and I’d love the springs but not the cold. what a fun, hearty lot they are
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Carl Reiner is a genius! I thought of him while reading the Today in History email. It is Dick Van Dyke’a 99th birthday today. I recently saw him perform with Coldplay’s Chris Marting in a Coldplay music video of “All My Love,” it is awesome. I’m not sure about freezing my hair, but the hot springs sound awesome.
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I love carl, he’s one of the great classic comics of all time. yes, it saw the video and he is still an amazing human.
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There was an outside hot tub on my Arctic voyage – I didn’t use, it though many did!
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yeh, I’m not sure I’d ever want to get out )
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Oh my. Makes my hair stand on edge. And goosebumps too 🤯
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yes, and I really don’t like being cold )
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I would have serious doubts at the mental state of these contestants
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You win! Best LOL moment of the week! Thanks, Beth! 🥰😜🥰
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it just cracked me up and I hoped others would get a laugh out of it as well, thanks for proving me right
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Oh yesss! Hilarious! 😜
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Wow, these images look amazing! I never even knew this was a ‘thing’!!!
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it was new to me as well )
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I have a strong aversion to cold. Could never understand people doing cold plunges at the gym or jumping into icy ponds. This at least gives spectators something fun to see.
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I could not agree more
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Haha, the pictures instantly reminded me of Iceland. I did not know that Canada has hot springs, either. I learned something new.
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I’m always learning too
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Yeah, it can get pretty whacky.
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Right!
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Much as I enjoy cold weather, I draw the line at freezing any body parts.
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I am a person who would rather be hot than cold so…)
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That is so much fun!!
I think I would love to play there at least once!
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Hey, you’re Canadian….)
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Haha! There is that ;-)
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Glad other people want to do it. I’ll look at the pictures…thank you very much. But still…looks like fun. I’m more of a beach person stranded in a hair freezing environment at the moment. LOL This is a fun post. Thank you very much.
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Yes, I so get that. I’m a person who does not like to be cold )
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Nope. I will avoid that at all costs. LOL
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Wow – that is spectacular! I washed my hair in a bowl of warm(ish) water when I was trekking in to Everest Base Camp. It froze immediately without me ever thinking I could make art of it. :)
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Amazing ! And amazing that you were there!
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Oh my goodness– I had no idea people had so much fun with frozen hair!
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now we know!)
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What fun! I would consider entering. It’s something to see ice forming on people’s eyelashes.
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there you go, Pete. a new challenge –
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No, thanks. I picked up a package off my front steps this morning to find once liquid soap and wipes frozen into a block. It’s cold here in MN. They are on my counter thawing. I ordered these through a benefit of my health insurance plan. At least the toothpaste didn’t freeze.
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I’m with you, I would so rather be hot than cold!
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Beth – I think this is our next trip!
P
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well, I’ll be inside cheering you on!
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I’ll alert the media.
Ray Laskowitz
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there you go!
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I love it! 😀
How fun, I look forward to seeing the photos of the winners. 🎉
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right!
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I wonder if all of these people are young. As an plaster, I want to be warm!
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me too! and the full article sounded like it was all ages
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That should have been “oldster” not plaster! LOL!!
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)))
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Wow. That’s amazing. What fun, creative things we humans come up with.
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Shoot. Didn’t quite log in quickly enough before hitting send on that comment. :)
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))
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so true!
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I remember Carl Reiner, who died in 2020 at age 98, from the Sid Caesar show in the early 1950s.
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he was such a classic guy
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he was such a classic comedian
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That is really crazy but somehow interesting. As long as someone else does it. :-)
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Exactly
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Ok, this is so fun. The man at the bottom has a truly winning shot!
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Absolutely!
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This is interesting. I love it
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yes, very different
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This would be so much fun to see and to participate in too!
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I’ll be in the audience cheering !
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I love this! What a great winter ‘sport’.
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it’s a fun one., I’m sure –
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😍
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Beth, I’ve never seen this contest and I absolutely love it. Wonderful photos. With my short, disappearing hair and my intolerance for serious cold, it’s not for me. But what a fantastic winter activity. Take care and have a fun and relaxing holiday. And thanks for the post. ~James
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my pleasure )
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