11. Fur Rondy, Alaska
If there’s one place that needs a bright spot to get them through the grueling winter its Anchorage, Alaska. The Fur Rendezvous (aka the Fur Rondy) fits the bill. It offers wild and wacky winter fun with plenty of frontier spirit. The outhouse race and blanket toss are always crowd pleasers. The Miners and Trappers Ball features Mr. Fur Face awards for the best beard. The highlight is the Running of the Reindeer event, Alaska’s antlered version of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.
12. Idaho Fire and Ice Festival, Idaho
Idaho’s Lava Hot Springs is the setting for this annual winter carnival, designed to help you beat the winter blues. Tubers brave the elements to race down the Portneuf River in the annual Polar Bear Float. Foot racers don crazy costumes to run down main street, followed by a toasty soak in the town’s hot springs. A mountainside torch parade and chili cook-off bring fire to the festival.