Montana Launches Snow Plow Naming Contest Ahead For Winter

As the leaves begin to turn, Montana's transportation department is already anticipating the arrival of winter.

This week, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) kicked off its annual Snow Plow Naming Contest, inviting residents to submit creative name ideas for the plows that will soon be clearing highways statewide.

Montanans have until Tuesday, Oct. 7th, to submit entries online HERE. Ten winners will be selected—one for each of MDT’s maintenance areas—with the chosen names proudly displayed on plows throughout the 2025-2026 winter. The winners receive no cash prize, but they’ll gain the unique honor of seeing their name ideas roll out on the roads during the coldest months of the year.

The tradition is becoming increasingly common in states and cities across the nation.

Departments of transportation in states like Minnesota, Colorado, and Vermont have also run similar naming campaigns recently, with names like “Plowy McPlowface,” “Ctrl Salt Delete,” and “Scoop Dogg” capturing public attention and going viral on social media.

Contests like this also help bring visibility and awareness for drivers to be prepared and vigilant for snowplows on the roadways, as well as the workers who operate them during treacherous conditions to keep roads passable.

Previous plows in the state embraced the playful nature  with names like Sir PLOWs-a-lot, Betty Whiteout, Austin PLOWers, Meltn John, Clark W. Blizzwald, Snowbi-Wan-Kenobi, and Clear-o-pathra.

Montana residents interested in submitting a name can find the entry form by visiting the MDT website. Entries are open to all ages, though officials ask that names remain appropriate for public display.

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Whether humorous, clever, or heartfelt, the best entries will make their way onto the roads—just in time for the first snowflakes to fall. One idea, included in the feature image, is the Dune-inspired Snow Hulud.