The 80’s Rewind Totally Rad Weekend Winter Carnival in Whitefish Montana

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to ski (or snowboard) in the 80’s? The bright neon colors, the leg-warmers, the mullets, the Burt Reynolds style mustaches, Guess Jeans and Vaurnet sunglasses. The Eighties definitely left a mark on Ski Culture and that is never more evident than during the 80s Rewind Totally Rad Weekend Winter Carnival in Whitefish Montana.

This blast from the past is held annually in this rustic mountain town that is essentially the doorway to Glacier National Park. The 80s Rewind Throwback will have you digging in the attic for those Hot Pants, Members Only jackets and all the AquaNet you’ve hidden away.

When February (Feb 3-5, 2023) flakes fly the village of Whitefish, Montana gathers to celebrate a tradition of fun, frivolity and friendship known as Whitefish Winter Carnival. The event is filled with so many activities there is something for everyone!

Theres the Penguin Plunge where participants take a dip in Whitefish Lake’s icy waters for a good cause that benefits Special Olympics Montana.

There’s also a Pie Social where you can grab a slice of homemade pie and warm up with hot coffee at St. Charles Parish.

And don’t forget the Grand Parade! The Carnival weekend reaches its peak with the Grand Parade through downtown. Watch for penguins, Yetis and Viking divas wandering down the parade route, along with many colorful floats decorated in 80s style.

And to cap it all off, there’s a Post Parade Social — After the parade, stop by the Firebrand Hotel, for the post parade social for more frivolity.

There are multiple fantastic retaurants, a world-class sweet shop, an eclectic local watering hole and more shops to visit than you can shake a stick at it. All this and .. it sits at the entrance to Glacier National Park.

And ‘On the Mountain’ there’s costumed skiing/snowboarding at Whitefish Ski Resort where everyone gets in on the fun with their favorite 80s attire, there are 80s themed dance parties at various locations around town and last but not least the Ski Joring. If you’re unfamiliar with ‘Ski Joring’ this must-see to believe event is when a skier/snowboarder is pulled behind a horse and launched off a jump or across a body of water.