Special U of Montana Winter Events for the Whole Community

Spring semester classes begin Thursday, just ahead of a noticeable blast of winter.

Regardless of how much winter is not enough or how much is too much, it means fun University of Montana events. And they hope students and community members alike embrace the activities planned in the next few weeks for the annual UM Winter Welcome.

UM News Service tells us that fire pits and snow domes are designed to make the snowy Oval a bit comfier. Then the real excitement begins in coming weeks with UM basketball games honoring Native culture, a winter pep rally with a big bonfire and fireworks and, of course, the one-and-only Foresters’ Ball.

HIGHLIGHTS TO CELEBRATE THE START OF A NEW SEMESTER

>Saturday, January 18: Levi Horn, a former Griz great and NFL player, will present a free motivational talk titled “Medicine Game” at 12:30 p.m. in the Adams Center West Auxiliary Gym. Levi will give the same talk in the same location at 2:30 on Saturday, February 1. All are welcome.

>Saturday, January 18: The N7-inspired Lady Griz basketball game is ready to roll. UM will play Idaho State at 2 p.m. in the Adams Center. Once again this year, Nike’s N7 program, which promotes sports and its benefits to Native American communities, will celebrate Native people and culture. Artist and Griz alum Kaylene Big Knife designed this year's Native Griz logo, available at Scheels, the M Store and the on-campus Go Griz Store.

>Wednesday, January 22: Boondockers' Day will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on the UM Oval. This traditional event offers competition among foresty students, law students and administrators, feature exhilarating events like chucking axes and flinging buffalo chips. The event is a lead-up to the 106th Foresters’ Ball and offers chances to win free ball tickets and merchandise.

>Saturday, January 25: The Griz Winter Pep Rally will be held from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., between the two Montana-Montana State Brawl of the Wild basketball games. The pep rally will be both inside the University Center and on the Oval. This dynamic event will include a giant bonfire, fireworks, activities with Griz student-athletes, free snacks, ice-skating on the Oval (free rentals), snow dome visits, face painting, sign making and a beer garden (for those of age). The Gaming Den in the University Center will offer free pool and ping-pong. Fireworks will light up Main Hall around 6 p.m.

>Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1: UM’s famous Foresters’ Ball with all its dancing, music and revelry starts at 7 p.m. both nights in Schreiber Gym. Blue Collar Band will provide live music as attendees get “married” and “divorced” in the chapel, get sent to “jail” or get their locks shorn (for real) in the barbershop. The theme this year is “Tankers Dumpin,’ Crews a Jumpin,’” which honors firefighting aviation and the 13 smokejumpers, including several UM students, who perished in the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire. Students build an entire old Montana town inside the gym for this event. The Foresters' Ball is open to the public. Tickets and more info are available here.

>Saturday, February 1: Community Forestry Day will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Schreiber Gym. This is a family-friendly time to visit the Foresters’ Ball venue without all the rowdies. Land management agencies and companies from across western Montana will provide interactive booths and activities.

>Saturday, February 1: It's the guys' turn for the N7-inspired Griz basketball game against Sacramento State at 4 p.m. Both the Griz and Lady Griz will be wearing specially designed turquoise uniforms for their N7 games.