Montana’s Winter Wonderland: Spring Semester Launches with Chilly Adventures!

MISSOULA — Winter is not just approaching, it has arrived, bringing delightful events at the University of Montana for both students and local residents as the spring semester begins.

Classes will resume for students on Thursday, Jan. 16, as they stroll past fire pits and snow domes aimed at making the snowy Oval more inviting.

“We are thrilled to welcome our students back and to have the community join us in celebrating the launch of a new semester,” expressed Karen Schlatter, UM student experience manager. “We wholeheartedly embrace our winter spirit, with plenty of activities for everyone, both indoors and outdoors.”

Some key features of UM’s Winter Welcome Back include:

• Saturday, Jan. 18: Former Griz standout and NFL player Levi Horn will deliver a complimentary motivational talk titled “Medicine Game” at 12:30 p.m. in the Adams Center West Auxiliary Gym. He will return to the same venue at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1. Everyone is welcome. His appearance is presented by UM Admissions, the School of Public and Community Health Sciences, the Kyiyo Student Association, and the Native American Center of Excellence.
• Saturday, Jan. 18: The Lady Griz basketball game inspired by N7 is set to begin. UM will face off against Idaho State at 2 p.m. in the Adams Center. This game is part of Nike’s N7 initiative, which promotes sports and their advantages for Native American communities, and the UM event will honor Native people and their culture. Artist Kaylene Big Knife created this year’s Native Griz logo for shooting shirts. Native Griz merchandise can be found at Scheels, the M Store, and the Go Griz Store located on campus.

• Wednesday, Jan. 22: Boondockers’ Day will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on the UM Oval. This annual event features competitions among forestry students, law students, and faculty – think throwing axes and tossing buffalo chips. It acts as a precursor to the 106th Foresters’ Ball, providing opportunities to win free tickets and merchandise.

  Saturday, Jan. 25: In between the major Griz-Cat basketball matches scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. in the Adams Center, the University will hold a Winter Pep Rally from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the University Center and on the Oval. This exciting event will feature a large bonfire, fireworks, activities with Griz student-athletes, complimentary snacks, ice skating on the Oval (free rentals), snow dome attractions, face painting, sign creation, and a beer garden (for those of legal drinking age). The Gaming Den in the University Center will provide complimentary pool and ping pong, and Gary’s Local will offer $6 burgers for sale. Fireworks will illuminate Main Hall around 6 p.m.

• Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1: UM’s renowned Foresters’ Ball, filled with dancing, music, and fun, will commence at 7 p.m. on both evenings in Schreiber Gym. The Blue Collar Band will perform live while guests can experience “marriages” and “divorces” in the chapel, get sent to “jail,” or even get their hair cut (for real) in the barbershop. This year’s theme is “Tankers Dumpin,’ Crews a Jumpin,’” honoring aerial firefighting and the 13 smokejumpers, including multiple UM students, who lost their lives in the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire. Students construct a complete historic Montana town inside the gym for this occasion. Ball tickets are purchasable through GrizTix.
• Saturday, Feb. 1: Community Forestry Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Schreiber Gym. This is a family-oriented opportunity to experience the Foresters’ Ball venue without the rowdiness. Various land management organizations and businesses from throughout Western Montana will offer interactive booths and activities.
• Saturday, Feb 1: The N7-themed Griz basketball game will commence at 4 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena, featuring UM competing against the Sacramento State Hornets.

Schlatter mentioned that winter at UM is full of numerous other campus activities not listed here. For example, students and community residents can always enjoy cross-country skiing at the UM Golf Course, with rentals accessible through the Outdoor Program’s Rental Shop. The UM College of the Arts and Media also offers an extensive range of museum, theater, and musical performances.