Utah Mammoth to Host 2027 NHL Winter Classic in Salt Lake City—Dates, Tickets & Can't-Miss Fan Experiences

Salt Lake City—Utah’s newest NHL franchise, the Utah Mammoth, is taking its Ice Age branding beyond the rink with the statewide “Utah Mammoth Museum Quest,” an interactive trail that links hockey fandom to real Columbian mammoth fossils found across the Beehive State. Running from November 24 through January 4, 2026, the SEG Foundation-funded quest partners with 10 museums—from the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City to the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site—to showcase skulls, tusks, and even a baby mammoth skeleton while offering discounted admission, collectible Utah Mammoth pins, and a raffle for luxury tickets to the January 17 home game against the Seattle Kraken. Team owners Ryan and Ashley Smith say the goal is to “spark curiosity, pride and an even deeper connection” between fans and Utah’s prehistoric heritage. That connection began last spring when a public vote cemented “Utah Mammoth” as the franchise’s permanent name, honoring the Ice Age giants whose remains dot the region. The quest kicked off with players Nate Schmidt and Karel Vejmelka guiding local students beneath the museum’s life-size Columbian mammoth replica while the furry mascot “Tusky” showered the crowd with blue streamers—underscoring the team’s commitment to STEM education and community outreach. How to join the Utah Mammoth Museum Quest • Pick up a “Quest” passport at any participating museum. • Collect a stamp and a free team pin—supplies are limited—at each stop. • Submit a completed passport online or in-arena for gear giveaways and a chance at VIP seats. Why it matters for fans and families 1. Unique content: See Utah’s most complete Columbian mammoth skeleton at Huntington Mammoth Site, examine mammoth hair in Lehi, and follow a mammoth scavenger hunt in St. George—all tied to the NHL season schedule. 2. Budget-friendly outings: Grant-backed discounts mean an affordable holiday activity statewide. 3. Boosted team spirit: The Mammoth brand becomes a year-round educational platform, not just a game-night logo. With the puck about to drop on the franchise’s second season, the Museum Quest gives locals and visiting hockey fans a fresh reason to explore Utah’s Ice Age past—and to rally behind a team determined to make history on and off the ice.