Since 1922, Winter Carnival has been a beloved tradition at Michigan Technological University, celebrating the unique culture of the Copper Country, and the element that unites the community: snow. Put on annually by Blue Key National Honor Society, a variety of activities take place, including, skiing competitions, hockey, broomball, human dog sled racing, and the crowning of Winter Carnival Royalty – just a few of the many traditions that can be traced back to years past.
The Winter Carnival, which originated in 1922 with an “Ice Carnival Show,” quickly evolved into a full-fledged celebration. One of its timeless traditions, the human-dog sled race, has been held since 1963 and continues to this day. Another popular attraction, The Torchlight Parade starting in 1962, remains an iconic symbol marking the end of the Winter Carnival.
Over the years, several unique activities have come and gone. For example, a beard-growing competition, introduced in 1970 lasted until the early 2000s, while the SnoBall dance, which began in 1959, enjoyed several years of popularity before fading. Despite the rise and fall of various traditions, one event has remained the same: statue building.
Every February, Michigan Tech fraternities, sororities, and student organizations participate in two statue competitions: the month-long and the all-nighter. Teams spend countless hours sculpting intricate designs that reflect the Winter Carnival theme, sculpting snow into breathtaking works of art. The carnival officially kicks off with the all-nighter, a lively campus-wide celebration complete with dancing, music, and lots of food. While students enjoy the festivities, statue builders work tirelessly all night to complete their elaborate creations to be judged the following morning. “Winter Carnival is embedded in the culture of the Copper Country,” said Susan Hampton, a regular Winter Carnival visitor since the early 1960s. “There is truly nothing like it.”
Jeff Nuttal, Michigan Tech alumnus and member of Theta Tau Fraternity, recollected his experience building statues with his fraternity in his time at Michigan Tech. In the month-long competition, his fraternity won best statue for the 1967 carnival. The Statue, titled, “Is This My World” depicted a towering Jesus figure outstretching his arms to a globe. His favorite memories of carnival included late-night statue building and trips to downtown Houghton “to buy Thunderbird wine for a dollar,” he laughed.
With over one hundred years of traditions, Winter Carnival remains a cornerstone of Michigan Tech culture. As the celebration evolves, it continues to incorporate new events while honoring its century-old traditions. The 2025 theme, “Dragons, Knights, and Legendary Sights,” sparks excitement and creativity, putting a fantasy-inspired twist on Copper Country culture. Winter Carnival exemplifies the resilience, creativity, and a sense of community that define Huskies past and present.
To learn more about the history of Winter Carnival, visit
mtu.edu/winter–carnival/about/history
and explore the snow sculptures through the years at
mtulode.com/5460/news/winter-carnival-snow-sculptures-throughout-the-years
