Celebrating 90 years of Winter Fun in Anaconda

As we've learned again this week, Montana winters can be a bit miserable, but also a great time to have fun.

And for 9-decades now, the businesses and residents of Anaconda have been celebrating the season, venturing outside for one of the longest-running winter carnivals in the state.

That's a LOT of ice skating, skiing, ice cube "curling" and cocoa. But there's more for you if you are going there for the first time this weekend.

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Anaconda's first Winter Carnival was held in the 1930s

Anaconda's Winter Carnival started in 1935, with business leaders figuring it was a good way to not only shake off the winter doldrums but also stimulate the local economy in the depth of the Depression.

That first carnival was focused heavily on both outdoor and indoor winter sports, with everything from sled dog races and hockey to a pie contest and a masquerade skating party.

People came from all over Montana, including sports stars from the 1932 Winter Olympics, with a big emphasis on a ski jumping competition up Sheep Gulch.

Keeping the legacy alive

While some of the classic events have stayed over the years, such as ice sculptures, winter games, and activities, Anaconda Visitor Center Manager Ruth Moen, says events have been added to make it fun for all ages.

"At the Commons, we're going to have for the littles, Skating with a Princess from 11 to 1," Moen explains. "Our Ancient Order of Hibernians are going to give out hot cocoa and hot dogs."

Map of events

"At the other end of the rink, we've got some people that are going to do some like hockey demonstrations and some drills for the kids, like little races."

"Behind Old Works, we're going to have cross-country demos." -Ruth Moen, Anaconda Visitors Center

Some events that have changed with the times

"They used to have a pageant here during the Winter Festival," Moen explains, noting this year will be different. "So they're doing a male pageant at Anaconda Outdoors on Sunday with different categories for the men. You know, the roughest, the most polished, just best beards, things like that."

In addition, businesses throughout town are participating, with plenty of food trucks to choose from.

There's also skiing and snowboarding up the hill at Discovery, and a Valentine's Gala kicks things off on Friday night. And while there's no Sheep Creek ski jumping on the schedule, there is turkey bowling, which would have seemed really weird during that first festival.

RELATED: Too Much Snow Stops Montana's Biggest Sled Dog Race