Inside Canada's Annual International Hair Freezing Contest

In Whitehorse, the capital city of Canada’s Yukon Territory, icy locks are the ultimate bizarre fashion statement. As Marie Claire reports, the chilly municipality is home to the International Hair Freezing Contest—a competition held each February during the territory’s annual Sourdough Rendezvous festival.

The festival—taking place from February 17 to February 26—pays homage to the region’s rich history. Events like log tosses, an axe tossing contest, and a “flour packing competition” (participants haul giant loads of flour on their backs while completing an obstacle course) celebrate the 1890s “sourdoughs,” a nickname given to Yukon Goldrush prospectors who made it through at least one Alaska winter, and subsisted on little more than sourdough flapjacks.

The Hair Freezing Contest was added to the mix in 2011 as more of a nod to the icy local climate than to rugged prospectors of yore. Participants hop into the hot springs at a local resort, the Takhini Hot Pools, and get their heads and faces wet. Then, they mold and freeze their hair into a frosted coiffure, and take a photo. The resort evaluates pictures of the ‘dos, and the top three winners are announced in March. Prizes include cash and free soaks in the hot springs.

The next Hair Freezing Contest will be held on February 24. If you’re interested in entering, the Takhini Hot Pools website has a list of tips to help you score the ultimate hypothermic hairstyle. Until then, you can simply enjoy the video below, featuring the contest’s 2015 winners.