Hair-Freezing Contest Canceled Due To Climate Change And Warmer Winters

Creativity, climate, and the wild lengths we go to for fun. Would you brave -20°C for an icy hairdo?

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• November 18, 2024

The weather has been playing tricks on us lately, and a uniquely Canadian tradition has fallen victim to the warm streak—well, quite literally. The annual Hair Freezing Contest, hosted at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Yukon, has been canceled for the second year in a row due to temperatures that just aren’t cold enough.

Known for its whimsical and frosty fun, the contest invites participants to shape their wet hair into fantastical frozen styles by taking advantage of subzero conditions. But without the frigid air needed for this quirky event, organizers were left with no choice but to hit pause.

Usually, the contest comes to life when temperatures plummet below -20°C (-4°F), the perfect environment for instant hair freezing and gravity-defying creations. However, this winter, Yukon has been hovering around 0°C (32°F), a far cry from the icy extremes required.

Climate change is being pointed to as a likely culprit, with studies from Yukon University warning that regional temperatures could rise by as much as 3.7 degrees Celsius in the coming decades. As a tradition that relies on bone-chilling weather, the Hair Freezing Contest’s future now seems uncertain, leaving fans wondering if warmer winters will ice out this beloved event for good.

The Hair Freezing Contest isn’t just a quirky tradition; it’s a global spectacle that has drawn participants eager to transform subzero conditions into creative masterpieces.

Held annually at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs in Yukon, the contest requires frigid temperatures of at least -20°C (-4°F) to allow participants to craft wild frozen hairdos.

The colder the air, the faster wet hair freezes into gravity-defying shapes, making for iconic and frosty photos.

Back in 2020, the contest reached its peak with 288 participants, earning a Guinness World Record for the largest frozen hair competition.

The event features categories like "Best Male," "Best Female," "Most Creative," and "People’s Choice," with winners taking home $2,000 and enjoying free hot spring soaks.

Past entries have ranged from towering icy spikes to intricately curled frosted locks, showcasing human ingenuity in the harshest conditions.

However, warmer winters have jeopardized this beloved tradition, with organizers forced to cancel the event this year due to uncooperative weather.

Climate change is a looming factor, with Yukon University studies predicting regional temperatures could rise by as much as 3.7°C in the next 50 years.

Beyond the frosty fun, the contest highlights humanity’s penchant for turning anything into a competition—from beard-growing to extreme ironing. It’s a celebration of creativity and resilience in the face of nature’s extremes, but also a reminder of how changing climates are disrupting even the most unconventional traditions.

From icy hairstyles to warming winters, the Hair Freezing Contest’s fate is a chilling reminder of nature’s power and humanity’s creativity in adapting to it. Whether it’s a frozen mohawk or spiraled frost curls, this quirky tradition showcases our knack for turning even the coldest challenges into something fun.

Share this story with friends and family—it’s proof that no matter the weather, humans will always find a way to innovate, compete, and bring a smile to the iciest of days!

Sophia