Phi Kappa Tau has nearly finished its main structures for the 2025 Winter Carnival. The brothers are now focused on completing details on the massive structure. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech student groups are hard at work sculpting masterpieces out of snow for the 2025 Winter Carnival. And this year they have a bit more of the white stuff to work with.

According to the Keweenaw County Road Commission, the area has received more than 140 inches so far this winter, more than twice as much as this time a year ago.

The carnival is once again sponsored Blue Key National Honor Society who reports an increased interest in this year’s carnival. Six more contestants have signed up for the month-long snow sculpture competitions,than last year, with some new and some returning after canceling due to the lack of snow last year. Ten additional contestants have also signed up for the all nighter snow sculpture competition.

Blue Key Statue Chair Brynn Santi said the statues are already looking better compared to last year and with it, everyone’s mood.

“The atmosphere is more positive with students looking forward to a break from studies,” Santi said. “They’re also looking forward to cold temperatures that won’t bring rain like last year.”

Santi said this year’s carnival will not only be a return to normal regarding the weather, but also a return to carnival activities not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, including the C4 Fat Bike Track.

Blue Key is continuing its preparation for the carnival by ensuring the 13 vendors are ready and that the new site maps will be made available to the public.

The carnival will also include a new addition in the Memorial Union Building (MUB), a photo wall with the carnival logo, perfect for picture taking.

Blue Key also wants the public to know the dog sled and sleigh rides are back and they’re free.

This year’s theme is “Dragons, Knights and Legendary Sights,” which has encouraged medieval and fantasy aesthetics the sculptures popping up on campus as well as Houghton, Hancock and Chassell.

One of the many organizations hard at work is Phi Kappa Tau with their snow stature constructed outside their house in Hancock.

The fraternity has gotten to the point where most of the structure is nearly complete and they can now focus on the finer details.

Recruitment Chair Grant Peek said the work this year has helped the brotherhood grow closer together with higher numbers in membership.

This year, the fraternity has decided to go with a more generalized theme and has refrained from pop culture references.

“We wanted the public to enjoy it without needing to be knowledgeable in pop culture like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter,” Peek said. “We’re looking forward to the community coming by to see our work.”

Last year Phi Kappa Tau came in second place, which has heightened the motivation to reclaim the title this year.