Each year Whitefish Winter Carnival celebrates a Royal Court. Candidates are nominated for their outstanding service to Whitefish, and are voted upon by multiple groups across the community. We are thrilled to recognize the many exceptional individuals who make up the Whitefish Winter Carnival Royal Court.
Thank you for all you do!
Who will be the
2026 Royalty?
​CORONATION LXVII, JANUARY 17
KING ULLR LXVII & QUEEN OF THE SNOWS
​
FREY & FREYA CORONATION, JANUARY 24
PRINCE FREY & PRINCESS FREYA
Zak Anderson
Prime Minister LXVII
Zak Anderson is a longtime Whitefish community member with a career rooted in volunteer leadership and civic service. With over two decades of experience in hospitality, marketing, youth sports, and event production, Zak consistently applies his skills to strengthen local organizations and community initiatives.
Zak currently serves as Board President of the Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center, supporting public safety, education, and forecasting for backcountry users across northwest Montana. He is also a board member of Housing Whitefish, a nonprofit focused on workforce housing solutions, and previously served on the Whitefish City–County Planning Board through a mayoral appointment. In his role as Executive Director of the Whitefish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Zak serves on the City of Whitefish’s Sustainable Tourism Management Plan Committee, contributing to efforts that balance tourism, livability, and environmental stewardship. Across civic planning, tourism, and public safety, Zak brings a collaborative, hands-on approach. He leverages his experience in operations, fundraising, and communications to strengthen organizations that serve the greater Flathead Valley.
2026 Royalty
KATIE AKEY
DUCHESS OF LARK
A lifelong local with deep roots in our realm, Katie Akey is a Whitefish native who embodies the town’s spirit of service and community. Though she left for a brief period, her return was marked by a seamless transition back into the local fabric, picking up exactly where she left off: championing the traditions and people that make Whitefish home and serving those who are lucky enough to visit. As a manager of the Great Northern Bar & Grill, Katie oversees one of the last remaining original local establishments. Under her and her family's dedication to our realm “The Northern” has remained a vital community hub, raising over $65,000 for the Whitefish Winter Carnival (WWC) through its legendary Disco Party.
She has never been one to be part of anything in name only. This is reflected in her extensive volunteer work as a WWC Inc. board member for over 10 years and treasure for the past 4. Setting up logistics for travel, participating in parades and stepping in as a character when needed. Katie's dedication lies not only in Carnival but also in the town's heritage, growth and future. Through the FIT program benefiting children for the past 10 years she's helped sort prizes weeks in advance all the way through coming home covered in pink and blue dye from the Color Run fundraisers. Also, a member of the BMCA board, Katie has a passion for keeping the snow buses running and free to all the public by donating space at The Northern and helping serve at the fundraising events.
Whether she is behind the scenes at the Great Northern, Winter Carnival, or advocating for students and local mountain transit, Katie remains a driving force in preserving the unique character and future of the community of Whitefish.
2025 Royalty
Photos: Jessie Mazur
2024 Royalty
2023 Royalty
2022 Royalty
2019 Royalty
2020, 2021 Royalty
2019 Royalty
2018 Royalty
2017 Royalty
2016 Royalty
2015 Royalty
Travel through Whitefish Winter Carnival history, visit the Stumptown Historical Society to view additional images of past Royal Courts. Located in the historic Train Depot in downtown Whitefish!
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