Ski Freeze 2027
Ski Freeze 50TH
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A skier in a wetsuit and Santa hat carves a wall of spray on the river

50th Annual

Ski Freeze2027

New Year's Day on the Mississippi. Fifty years of skiing cold water for kids who deserve a dream. Friday, January 1, 2027 · Mud Island lower boat ramp by the Amphitheater, Memphis, TN · Benefiting the Dream Factory of Memphis

$50,000for the 50th
Our goal for the 50th Ski Freeze

Fifty years, fifty thousand dollars for Dream Factory kids like Addy. We can't get there without you. Ski, ride, sponsor, or give today.

First pull in
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50th Annual Ski Freeze logo: a motorcyclist and a water skier racing across the river beneath the Memphis skyline, with the date 01.01.27
1977The first New Year's Day run, on a dare
50thYear in a row on the water
$500K+Raised for the Dream Factory of Memphis
~45°FTypical river temperature on January 1
Collierville Ski Club, Inc. logo

Hosted by

Collierville Ski Club

The club runs the boats, the dock, and the day, carrying on a tradition started by the River City Ski Club in 1977.

Dream Factory of Memphis logo

Benefiting

Dream Factory of Memphis

Every dollar raised helps grant a dream to a critically or chronically ill child in the Mid-South.

dreamfactorymemphis.org

Why we freeze

Every pull grants a dream

The Dream Factory of Memphis is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) that grants dreams to critically and chronically ill children ages 3 to 18 across the Mid-South. Every skier's donation, every biker's ride, and every sponsor's gift goes toward making one child's dream come true.

The Collierville Ski Club hosts the day. Skiers, boarders, bikers, and hundreds of spectators line the harbor to kick off the new year together.

“Granting dreams is food for your soul. I can promise you that I get way more out of it than I give.” Brian Juengling, Dream Factory of Memphis
Two young skiers ride side by side under the bridge

The Dream Child

Meet our 2027 Dreamer

Addy, smiling with long red hair and a purple T-shirt, leaning on a table in a library

Adalynn “Addy,” age 11

Hometown: Bartlett, TN Diagnosis: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Dream: Epic Universe & Disney World

Addy is an eleven-year-old from Bartlett, Tennessee, who is fighting ALL leukemia and is currently in treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. When she isn't in treatment, she loves drawing and swimming. Her favorite foods are soft tacos, nachos and steak, and her favorite movies are Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon. So it's no surprise that her dream is a 2027 trip to Orlando to visit Epic Universe and Disney World.

Proceeds from the 50th Annual Ski Freeze will make this dream a reality.

Give toward this dream
2026Kaydon, 10From Cordova. Living with spastic cerebral palsy. His dream: Disney World.
2025Branson, 9Living with Fabry disease. His dream: a cabin of his own in the backyard.
Clay Millican in his race suit and blue cap, grinning and holding an NHRA Wally trophy over his head

2027 Spokesman

Meet Clay Millican

Stomp on that loud pedal!

Clay's rallying cry

NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican is the official spokesman for the 50th Annual Ski Freeze. He'll be on the riverbank New Year's Day to meet and greet fans, so bring your camera and your cheers.

NHRA Top Fuel Meet & greet on event day
Visit ClayMillican.com (opens in a new tab)

Two ways to take part

Ski it or ride it

A skier in a purple life jacket slaloms past the Mud Island marina at Ski Freeze 2026. Photo by Valor & Vision Photography

On the water

Skiers & boarders

Water ski, wakeboard, kneeboard, or barefoot. All skill levels are welcome, and first-timers get plenty of cheering.

  • $30 donation covers one boat pull and a commemorative long-sleeve shirt
  • Ages 12 and up. Under 18 needs a parent or guardian waiver
  • Bring a wetsuit. Life jackets are required for everyone on the water
  • Raise pledges from friends and family to multiply your pull
Register to Ski
Riders on motorcycles arrive past a long line of parked bikes at Ski Freeze 2026. Photo by Valor & Vision Photography

On two wheels

Bikers' polar ride

Motorcycle clubs from across the Mid-South make the New Year's Day ride to Mud Island, fill the lot with chrome, and raise money right alongside the skiers.

  • Ride in with your club or on your own
  • Park, watch the skiers, and cheer from the bank
  • Donate on the day or collect pledges before you ride
Ride details on Facebook

January 1, 2027

The day

  1. Skier check-in opensSign waivers, pick up your shirt, suit up.
  2. First skiers hit the waterBoats run until every registered skier gets a pull.
  3. Bikers roll inThe polar ride arrives and the lot fills up.
  4. Meet Clay MillicanSay hello to the NHRA Top Fuel driver and our 2027 spokesman.
  5. Fundraising total announcedWe celebrate the Dreamer and the 50th year.
Where
Lower boat ramp on Mud Island, next to the Mud Island Amphitheater
Island Drive, Memphis, TN 38103
Spectators
Free. Come early for the best parking and a spot on the bank.
Hosted by
Collierville Ski Club
Benefiting
Dream Factory of Memphis, a 501(c)(3)
Questions
901-483-7522
Open in Maps

Fifty New Year's Days

How a dare became a tradition

1977

It started with a dare. Bored in the middle of winter, members of the River City Ski Club challenged each other to ski on New Year's Day. The first run was on Kilowatt Lake in North Memphis.

Early '80s

Moving to the river. The event relocated to the Wolf River channel between Mud Island and the Cobblestones, and a club outing grew into a community fundraiser.

1988

A permanent partner. The club chose the Dream Factory of Memphis as Ski Freeze's charity, a partnership that has lasted nearly 40 years.

2007

A new crew takes the rope. When the River City Ski Club closed, its members formed the Collierville Ski Club and kept Ski Freeze going as host and organizer.

The freeze

The one year the river won. Ski Freeze has missed New Year's Day only once, when the harbor froze solid. Skiers still went, moving the day to February on a private lake.

$500K+

Dreams granted. Across the decades, Ski Freeze has raised more than half a million dollars for Mid-South children and their families.

2027

The 50th. Half a century of cold water and warm hearts. Help us make it the biggest year yet.

Kneeboarder giving a thumbs-up mid-run Crowd of bikers gathered on the riverbank Wakeboarder cutting across the wake Skier laughing after a fall in the river Skier in a green wetsuit leaning into a turn Volunteers in Ski Freeze shirts posing together Close-up of a wakeboarder gripping the handle Classic blue Camaro on display A yellow boat idling at the marina Rider on a kneeboard throwing spray

PHOTOS FROM SKI FREEZE 2026 · VALOR & VISION PHOTOGRAPHY

Sponsors

Put your name on the 50th

Sponsors carry Ski Freeze. Pick a level below, or call us to talk through what fits your business.

Gold AnchorTitle & partner level

Top billing across the event, signage, and promotion. Includes title sponsors and key event partners.

Silver Wake$250

Your business or family name listed with our sponsors and recognized on event day.

Bronze WaveIn-kind gifts

Food, services, and prizes that keep skiers, volunteers, and riders going.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors

Title sponsors

APA TruStar, a division of Automotive Parts Associates
Title Sponsor
Homer Skelton Ford of Millington
Title Sponsor
Pickler Wealth Advisors
Title Sponsor
Parts Plus
Title Sponsor

Event partners

Collierville Ski Club
Event Host
Action News 5, WMC-TV5
Media Partner
Hamilton Self Storage
Advertising Partner
Boat Center Memphis
Event Boat
Valor and Vision Photography
Photos & Video
  • 2 Rivers Realty
  • American Granite & Marble
  • Associates PD
  • Automotive Merchandising Corp
  • Bowders Law Firm
  • Carey's Body Shop
  • Creative Planning
  • Fayette Realty
  • Germantown Cleaners
  • Gill Family Law
  • Harley-Davidson of Memphis
  • HDS Land Services
  • Insurance Associates of TN
  • In Memory of William "Buddy" Reeves
  • In Memory of Wayne Williams
  • Knuckle Heads Sidecar Cafe
  • Lyons Cotton Co
  • Memphis Ice
  • MidSouth Instruments
  • Mike Rose Soccer Complex
  • MotoNation MotorSports
  • M&W Termite Control
  • Sullivan Farms GP
  • Tennessee Tractor
  • The Graves Family
  • Union Auto Parts
  • Chick-fil-A Germantown
  • Supercuts
  • Tops Bar-B-Q

Good to know

Questions

Do I have to be an experienced skier?

No. Skiers of every level take a pull, from first-timers to barefooters. Most people ski a short run, fall in, and climb out to a big cheer.

How cold is the water?

Usually in the mid-40s °F. Air temperatures on New Year's Day have ranged from the 20s to the 70s. A wetsuit is strongly recommended.

Is there equipment I can borrow?

A limited amount of equipment is available first come, first served. Bring your own skis, board, and wetsuit if you have them. Life jackets are required.

How old do I have to be?

Skiers must be at least 12. Anyone under 18 needs a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Can I come just to watch?

Yes, and it's free. Come early to find parking and a good spot on the bank.

What if I can't make it but want to help?

Donate online, sponsor a skier, or share the event on Facebook. Every dollar goes toward granting a child's dream.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

The Dream Factory of Memphis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Check with your tax advisor about your situation.

January 1, 2027 · Mud Island

Start the year cold.
Make a dream come true.

Register to Ski Donate Facebook