Undergraduate Student Affairs

Editor's Note: The Frost Lights display has been canceled for Saturday and Sunday evenings because of the forecast for extreme cold. This story has been updated accordingly.

Lights, music, and don't forget the popcorn! With The Wizard of Oz and beloved spinoffs at its heart, it's only fitting that the Winter Carnival lineup for Feb. 5 to 8 includes film screenings, an appearance by the great and powerful Oz, and student performances as dazzling as the ruby slippers. 

Themed The Blizzard of Oz: Wicked Cold, the celebration will also feature perennial favorites such as the ice sculpture contest; cookies, hot cider, and cocoa; and the Polar Bear Swim, weather permitting.

Winter Carnival officially kicks off at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5, at Collis Common Ground, where students can make friendship bracelets and stuffed animals—lions, tigers, and bears, of course—and enjoy sweet and savory snacks "to play off the whole Elphaba/Glinda vibe," says Eloise Taylor, '28, one of three Winter Carnival chairs. 

But the run-up starts the weekend before, with the NCAA skiing competition hosted by the Big Green Jan. 30 to 31; a Wicked double feature from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at House Center B, AKA the Cube; and open skating from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 4, in Thompson Arena.

Jim Heller '28, one of three Winter Carnival co-chairs, is most excited about Frost Lights: Over the Rainbow, an immersive, interactive light and sound installation that will sparkle along a half-mile loop on top of Observatory Hill. 

"One of my favorite elements is a smoke machine and projector showing the wizard's head," says Heller, a Pennsylvania native who lists Winter Carnival among the reasons he came to Dartmouth. "He'll respond to things you say in 'Magic 8 Ball' fashion." 

Having walked the route, which will be lit up in the evenings from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Feb. 5 and 6, Heller suggests wearing warm clothes and shoes with good traction. 

The entire Dartmouth community and the general public are encouraged to come enjoy Frost Lights and other events.

"Winter Carnival has historically had a strong connection to the larger community, so we are really excited to be able to welcome the whole Upper Valley into this piece of our celebration," says David Pack, director of student involvement.

A cappella groups the Brovertones, Cords, Dartmouth Sings, Decibelles, Dodecaphonics, Rockapellas, and Subtleties will converge at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 in Spaulding Auditorium for the "Aca-lympics." 

The performances will be followed by the "Winter Ozlympics" Opening Ceremony Watch Party, from 8 to 11 p.m. at Top of the Hop, where students can cheer on Big Green Olympians who will compete at Milano Cortina. 

On Feb. 7, fans of The Wiz can ease on down the road to Loew Theater for a free 7 p.m. screening of the 1978 Motown musical whose all-star cast includes Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Lena Horne. The Hop Film Now event is sponsored in collaboration with Black Legacy Month. 

Other highlights that night include a skating exhibition by the Dartmouth Figure Skating Club from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Thompson Arena, and the OzDust Ball at 9 p.m. at Top of the Hop. 

Despite the name, dressy attire is optional for the dance. 

"You can wear whatever you want," says co-chair Ivy Wydler '28, noting that the event will also see performances by dance troupes Sugar Plum, Fusion, and Street Soul.

"I'm really excited to be incorporating the arts more into Winter Carnival, especially because we have such a film-focused theme," Wydler says. "I feel like it will get people interested who maybe wouldn't be otherwise."

Lift tickets at Dartmouth Skiway are free for students Feb. 5 to 8; a free shuttle service runs daily from campus to the ski area during winter term. 

Additional events are still being added, and some plans may change, depending on weather conditions. Updates will be posted on Instagram throughout the weekend.