For a lot of us who live in a climate where we have to deal with a winter season, we do the best we can to stay warm when it’s cold outside.
We don’t do things like attending an annual event where people compete to win the title for the world’s coolest—literally—hairdo.
And yet every year people from around the world gather at the Takhihi Hot Pools in Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Takhihi Hot Pools
Takhihi Hot Pools is fed by a natural hot spring, rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. For decades, locals have been soaking in it and taking advantage of its therapeutic properties. And to just get warm.
But since 2011, the resort has been running a contest. The International Hair Freezing Contest.
According to the resort’s website,
“The purpose of the contest is to create the most creative frozen hairdos possible. Soak in the hot springs and allow the steam to accumulate on your head while the cold air freezes your hair.”
Let me point out contestants are doing this when the outdoor temperatures in the Yukon are below -20C (-4F). Fortunately, as any of you who have been in a hot tub in winter know, you do remain toasty warm—at least until you get out of the water.
The International Hair Freezing Contest
According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the contest finds its roots at the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous. This is an event that happens every February where people come out to celebrate winter sports like dog sledding and snowshoeing. Sports that typically put a strain on the muscles, so participants often head to the Hot Pools afterward to soak their aching bodies.
In 2011, a former manager came up with an idea and decided to challenge visitors to come up with the craziest frozen hairdo possible.
And the contest was born.
Co-owner of Takhihi Hot Springs says,
“It was a pretty small affair up until 2015 [when we started getting some publicity]. Frozen hair was something that was occurring naturally when people would bathe in the hot springs during cold weather, so the manager at the time [2011] decided to make a competition out of it.”
The Process
As per the Takhini Hot Pools website, the steps are fairly simple.
Contestants need to first completely submerge their heads in the hot springs, then allow the cold air to freeze the hair. They do recommend keeping the ears warm by dipping them in the water every once in a while. Soon, all wet hair will freeze, including facial hair. Eyebrows, eyelashes, mustaches, and beards.
Once the hair is completely white, a picture is taken of the results by a staff member.
To keep the contest honest, participants need to sign a waiver while at the Hot Pools. This is to prove they are actually at the location and not submitting an image that was taken elsewhere.
The contest has become so popular there are now four categories. Best male, best female, best group and most creative. Winners receive $2,000 plus unlimited free soaks in the current facility. A new facility is opening this year.
The Results
For those hardy enough to try it, this is likely a whole lot of fun. And some of the results can only be described as works of art. And obviously, the more hair you have the better—funnier—the result.
Umbrich says to Smithsonian,
“We had a lady who managed to stick her hair out horizontally on either side, with each side measuring over two feet.” He continues, “That was pretty impressive. Usually, people will stick their hair straight up or spike it out, or men will style their beards and chest hair. We’ve never seen so much hair stand so horizontally straight before. She won the ‘most creative’ category.”
In a separate interview with CBC Canada, he says that while -20C (-4F) works well for hair sculpting, -30C (-22F) is even better.
“It just takes 10 minutes to a half hour to make a pretty incredible picture,” he says.
So, who is heading to the Yukon next winter to try this out?
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