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2024 Michigan Tech Winter Carnival Schedule, Map | Ice Sculptures, Activities in Houghton MI Upper Peninsula | Dates, Pictures, Theme
2024 Michigan Tech Winter Carnival in Houghton | Ice Sculptures, Activities in MI's Upper Peninsula
By: Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Updated: November 1, 2023
Are you ready for the 102nd Michigan Tech Winter Carnival? Chris and I are excited! Michigan's Upper Peninsula receives an average of...240 inches of snow each winter, so why not celebrate!?
Winter Carnival is an annual celebration characterized by snow statues, outdoor games, and many student activities.
What is 2024 Michigan Tech Winter Carnival Dates?
February 7–10, 2024
Map of Events at Michigan Tech Winter Carnival in Houghton - Upper Peninsula!
Where is Michigan Tech Winter Carnival? It's held all across Michigan Tech's campus located in Houghton Michigan. See our map above!
Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival History
Winter Carnival first began way back in 1922 and over the years, the festival has proved itself as one of the largest annual winter festivals in the nation.
This wildly popular Michigan winter festival is organized by Blue Key National Honor Society. Here are some early interesting dates:
1922 - This first, one-night ice carnival began it all! Such a beloved Michigan Tech tradition!
1924 - A Big Top is erected and the Ice Carnival show is performed in a sawdust Circus ring!
1928 - The first year for the Queen Competition! Candidate judging categories included beauty, ice skating, and skiing skills. This girl's got talent!
1936 - Michigan Tech students and local school children build the first Carnival snow statues! And so the tradition continues!
Visitors to Winter Carnival can enjoy dozens of larger than life snow statues built and displayed all across the Huskies campus and the Houghton MI community.
- Michigan Tech students love showing their winter spirit and love of the vast amount of snow while participating in broomball, comedy skits, sleigh rides, a queen coronation, and well, winter fun.
- The Student Organizers is the Blue Key National Honor Society.
I can't think of a better way to spend snowy afternoons than wandering across Michigan Tech's campus enjoying the intricate snow statues and watching student groups compete in fun wintry activities!
Super Cool Michigan Tech Winter Carnival Snow Statues and Ice Sculptures (Past Years)
These detailed snow and ice sculptures created by Michigan Technological students are just breathtaking! I mean, such skill, dedication, teamwork and well, love of the cold and Michigan's Upper Peninsula is shown here! All the past Michigan Tech Winter Carnival winners are impressive!
1st Place, Phi Kappa Tau 2022
 Past Michigan Tech Winter Carnival winners. Photo: Michigan Technological University |
2nd Place, Tau Kappa Epsilon 2022
Past Michigan Tech Winter Carnival winners. Photo: Michigan Technological University
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3rd Place, Lambda Chi Alpha 2022
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Michigan Tech Winter Carnival 2024 Theme! DRUM ROLL....
The Theme for Winter Carnival 2024 is..."From Forests to Shores We Love the Outdoors"
Michigan Tech Winter Carnival Events in Houghton-Hancock!
- Broomball - Teams will play for two 10 minute periods, held at the Broomball Rinks.
- Curling - Takes place at The Drill House in Calumet
- Cross Country Skiing - Takes place at the Recreatioal Sports Fields
- Downhill Skiing - Giant slalom style event. Takes place at Mont Ripley Ski Hill.
- Snowboarding - Competitors race to the finish line. Takes place at Mont Ripley Ski Hill.
- Human Dog Sled Races - 6 people pulling a sled holding 4 riders and a musher. Teams race in a homemade sled! Takes place at the Recreational Sports Fields.
- Ice Bowling - Just like bowling on ice only...a team member will ride on a sled to act as a ball and slide down a 9 foot wide ice lane to knock down as many pins as possible. Held at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
- Snow Soccer - Soccer, played in the snow! Held at Hubbell Field - the upper and lower soccer fields (the two grass playing fields located next to the SDC).
- Speed Skating - One lap, Two laps, 4 person relay. Held at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
- Snow Volleyball - Volleyball competition played in the snow! Takes place at the Recreational Sports Fields.
- Tug of War - Held at Michigan Tech’s outdoor softball fields, located adjacent to the SDC.
- Banner Paintings - Displayed in downtown Houghton businesses. Students can vote for their favorite banner.
Meanwhile come out to pick your favorite best statue!
2024 Daily Schedule - Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival
12:01 is the kickoff of the Month-Long Statue Build! See statues beginning to form all across the Michigan Tech Campus! This month-long contest is so exciting to watch as the snowy sculptures keep growing!
January 27, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
10:00 a.m. Snow Volleyball at the Recreational Sports Fields (Softball/Baseball) - Located on E. Sharon Avenue across from the ATDC building.
3:30 p.m. Curling at the Calumet Drill House. *See Fun Fact Below!
What is the Calumet Drill House? Built in 1885, the building is a former drill bit manufacturing plant for the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. Closed in 1968, it sat empty for 37 years until the curling club set up shop in 2005.
January 28, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
10:00 a.m. Curling at the Calumet Drill House
5:00 p.m. Snow Volleyball held at the Recreational Sports Fields (Softball/Baseball). Lots of winter fun!
January 30, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
9:00 p.m. Ice Bowling at Student Development Complex
February 1, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
9:00 p.m. Ice Bowling at Student Development Complex
February 3, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
11:00 a.m. Ice Soccer held at the Nordic Skiing Stadium Area
5:00 p.m. Speed Skating at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
6:07 p.m. - 9:07 p.m. (Men's Ice Hockey) Northern Michigan vs. Michigan Tech located at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
7:00 p.m. Winter Carnival Royal Coronation Held at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts Auditorium.
- Get your Winter Carnival Royalty Competition tickets early!
February 7, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
4 p.m. All-Nighter Construction Begins at the Michigan Tech Campus
6 p.m. Guardians of the North, Air Force ROTC All-Nighter Pancakes at the Michigan Tech Campus, Broomball Rinks
7 p.m. FREE Chili during the All-Nighter
8:30 p.m. Fire breathing Demonstration at the Memorial Union Building
9 p.m.- 11 p.m. Broomball All-Star Games at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena
February 8, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
9 a.m. All Statue Work Complete at the Michigan Tech Campus
9:30 a.m. Statue Judging Begins at the Michigan Tech Campus
1 p.m. Cross-Country Skiing at the Recreational Sports Fields
2 p.m.- 5 p.m. SnoBall Crash Course at the DHH Ballroom
3:30 p.m. Human Dog Sled Race at the Recreational Sports Fields
5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Women's Basketball, Purdue Northwest vs. Michigan Tech at the Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym (get tickets early!)
7 p.m. Blue Key Presents: Winter Carnival Stage Revue Show at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts (get tickets early!)
7:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. Men's Basketball, Purdue Northwest vs. Michigan Tech at the Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym (get tickets early!)
February 9, 2024 - MTU Winter Carnival
11 a.m. Tug-of-War at the Recreational Sports Fields
2 p.m.- 5 p.m. Dog Sled Rides at the Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH)
2 p.m. Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at the Mont Ripley Ski Area
2 p.m.- 5 p.m. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides, Memorial Union Building (MUB),
5:30 p.m. Ice Mass at the St. Albert the Great Ice Chapel on the Lawn
6:45 p.m. (Sold Out): Keweenaw Alumni Chapter Winter Carnival Hockey Skybox at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, Huskies Suite South
7:07 p.m.- 10:07 p.m. Men's Ice Hockey, Minnesota State vs. Michigan Tech at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena
7:30 p.m. Blizzard Presented by The Rozsa at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Black Performance Hall
10 p.m. Ice Mass at the St. Albert the Great Ice Chapel on the Lawn
11:59 p.m. Downtown Window Banner voting closes
February 10, 2024
10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Winter Carnival Snow Show at the Michigan Tech Campus, Lot 27
10 a.m. Ice Mass at the St. Albert the Great Ice Chapel on the Lawn
10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Alumni Social + Winter Carnival Contests Exhibit at the J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, Opie Reading Room
11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Winter Carnival Book Sale and Free Hot Chocolate at the J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, Lobby
1 p.m.- 4 p.m. (Women's Basketball) Parkside vs. Michigan Tech at the Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym
2 p.m.- 4 p.m. College of Engineering Alumni Social
2 p.m. [Sensory Friendly] Blizzard Presented by The Rozsa at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Black Performance Hall
2 p.m.- 5 p.m. Dog Sled Rides at the Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH)
2 p.m.- 5 p.m. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides at the Memorial Union Building (MUB)
2 p.m. Winter Carnival Awards Ceremony at the Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge
3 p.m.- 6 p.m. (Men's Basketball) Parkside vs. Michigan Tech at the Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym
4:45 p.m.- 7 p.m. Sold Out: ME-EM Winter Carnival Hockey Skybox Alumni Social at the Student Development Complex (SDC), Huskies South Skybox
5:07 p.m.- 8:07 p.m.(Men's Ice Hockey) Minnesota State vs. Michigan Tech at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena
8:30 p.m. Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at the Mont Ripley Ski Area
9:15 p.m.- 12 a.m. Blue Key and Swing Club Host: Winter Carnival SnoBall at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
Where To Park During Winter Carnival To Attend the Fun Activities and See the Incredible Snow Sculptures!
Daily Event Parking: During Winter Carnival, parking lots 5, 9, and 27 will be available beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2023.
Parking in these lots will be free of charge, no permits required.
There will also be free parking at all metered areas.
OVERNIGHT PARKING: Overnight parking is not allowed at the meters. Visitors requiring overnight parking may park in Lot 9 without a permit.
Michigan Tech Winter Carnival Royalty!
- Josie Edick - 2023 Winter Carnival Royal Majesty
- Lila Johnson -2023 1st Runner Up, Audience Choice Award
- Emily Calhoun
- Emma Quinn
- Hannah Quinn
- Lilly Bolliger
- Madi Owens
- Sara Gelon
Did You Know Houghton is the 3rd Snowiest City in America?
In the 1978-79 snow season, a whopping 390 inches of snow fell in the Keweenaw County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Um, that's over 32 feet!
- In 2021, Houghton received 27 feet of snow!
- The Keweenaw Peninsulas' 54 Year Average is 240.8 inches!! WOW!
Weather.com studied the 30-year average annual snowfall data from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center from 1981-2010.
And guess what?
- Upper Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula wins 3rd place as the Snowiest City in America! (Who are the other two? #1 Valdez, Alaska and #2 Crested Butte, Colorado).
What to do in all this snow? Celebrate! Let's go to Michigan Tech Winter Carnival! Oh, and of course, go skiing! Indianhead Mountain and Big Powderhorn Mountain are two Great Michigan Ski Resorts!
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