Takhini Hot Springs emerges from the earth at roughly 47°C, heated by geothermal activity deep underground. The mineral-rich water contains calcium, magnesium, and silica, purportedly beneficial for skin and relaxation. The springs have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries and were developed commercially in the 1970s. Two outdoor pools maintain different temperatures: one hotter for soaking, one cooler for swimming. The springs operate year-round, but winter is the prime season - there's something primal about immersing in hot water while snow falls and northern lights dance overhead. The contrast between body temperature and air temperature creates the famous steam clouds that envelop the pools.

The International Hair Freezing Contest began in 2011 and has become Takhini's signature event. Participants submerge their hair in the hot pool water, then stand with wet hair exposed to the arctic air. Within minutes, the hair freezes solid into whatever shape it was molded into - spikes, waves, sculptures. Competitors get creative: some bring props, others coordinate team efforts, many adopt personas. Categories include Most Creative, Best Frozen Beard, and People's Choice. Winners receive modest cash prizes, but the real reward is the photos - bizarre frozen hairdos against steaming pools and northern wilderness. The contest runs throughout February, whenever temperatures drop below -20°C.

Soaking at Takhini in winter is surreal. You walk from the warm changing room into air cold enough to freeze exposed skin in minutes, then immerse in water hot enough to require adjustment. Steam rises constantly, obscuring and revealing other bathers. Your face stays cold while your body is warm. If you keep your hair dry, you're comfortable; wet it, and ice crystals form within minutes. Many visitors time their soak for aurora viewing - the springs offer dark skies and unobstructed northern views. The surrounding forest is silent except for the occasional cracking of ice. It's a sensory experience unlike almost anywhere else.

Takhini sits in the Yukon wilderness 28 kilometers from Whitehorse, the territorial capital. The name comes from the Takhini River, which flows from the Yukon's interior to join the Yukon River. The area is traditional territory of the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Wildlife is abundant: moose, caribou, wolves, and bears inhabit the surrounding forests. The Alaska Highway passes nearby, connecting Whitehorse to Dawson City north and Alaska west. The hot springs are one of several geothermal features in the region, evidence of the volcanic geology underlying the Yukon.

Takhini Hot Springs is located at Kilometer 10 on the Takhini Hot Springs Road, 28 kilometers north of downtown Whitehorse. The facility is open year-round; winter hours are typically shorter. No reservations required for general admission. Swimsuits are required; towel and locker rentals available. The Hair Freezing Contest runs throughout February - check the website for current conditions and contest dates. Whitehorse has hotels, restaurants, and Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport with service from Vancouver and other Canadian cities. The Alaska Highway provides road access. Dress extremely warmly for the walk between changing room and pool - the air temperature can be -40°C or colder.