Most people like warm, sunny weather. Some even hate the winter, especially when really low temperatures approach. However, certain countries in the world are doomed - or destined - to experience freezing cold weather every winter - and they couldn't be happier about it! In Canada, people are brave and know how to celebrate winter. They even look forward to it, so that they can hold their extraordinary contest: the hair freezing contest!
People in the Yukon Territory, in particular, celebrate the International Hair Freezing Contest annually at Takhini Hot Pools. There are no fixed dates for the contest; it happens on days when the temperature is so low that wet hair will freeze instantly. The temperature there's usually -20°C. But don’t worry, they do not just stand in the cold with wet hair. According to The Independent, the Takhini Hot Springs, which are between 36–42°C protect people from becoming dead, frozen icicles.
This crazy contest began back in 2011. People used to soak themselves in the hot springs to relieve themselves from the cold. A former manager saw an opportunity there and decided to challenge them to style their hair, let it freeze, and take selfies. Then employees would select the craziest one as the winner.
It takes place during the Sourdough Rendezvous every February. All photographs are received, and the top three are selected and announced in March. It happens every year as long as the temperature is cold enough, even though there have been years when it was too warm for the contest to take place, as Insider reports.
That's the ninth year of this frozen hair contest, and just like hair, it seems to be growing more and more. Andrew Umbrich, co-owner of Takhini Hot Pools said that the contest has become a bigger thing since 2015, since it started getting publicity. Naturally, social media has helped to spread the word. As Umbrich told Smithsonianmag.com, visitors come from all across the world.
Whitehorse, Canada holds a hair freezing contest every February when temperatures reach – 22 degrees. The well-below-freezing temps combined with a dip in the 104 degree hot springs makes for one awesome contest. #MeanwhileInCanada pic.twitter.com/pGfZkpb5QD
— Meanwhile in Canada (@MeanwhileinCana) December 22, 2019
To participate, people should do the following:
- Pay an admission fee in order to get into the hot springs.
- Sign a waiver on-site, so they know the pictures were taken there.
- Get their hair wet and mold it into the desired shape, then let it freeze.
- Take a high-resolution photo of the frozen hair.
- For their picture to be accepted, all hair has to be covered in frost and be white. Half frozen hair is not accepted.
And although Canadians are basically doing this for fun, you might wonder what the prize is, so here you are:
- Best Male and Female Photo goes home with $750 and one complimentary
- Most Creative Photo also gets $750 and one complimentary 30 Soak Membership
- 30 Soak Membership
- For the Best Group Photo (two or more people), they get $750 per group as well as one complimentary 30 Soak Membership per person in the group
Well, Canadians definitely know how to have fun, don't they? And if you still don't believe us, take a look at some breathtakingly beautiful pictures below:
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