Early in December, clean-shaven competitors sign up in three different categories (beards, goatees, and sideburns). Contestants then have two months to grow the fullest facial hair possible. Finally, in an attempt to wow the judges, they often show off their beards using costumes, songs, skits, and the like.

Always intense, always a favorite, broomball is much like hockey, and yet... Using duct-taped brooms, a mid-sized ball, and no skates, players slide madly around the ice trying to put the ball past the goalie. Sounds simple if you've never tried it.

Students compete in this ancient Scottish game at the Calumet Armory, where they throw granite stones across the ice and coax them along with brooms.

On your mark, get set, pull! Six runners haul four riders and a musher in this zany event.

One team member is hurled down the lane by other members trying to knock down as many pins as possible.

Competitors brave early hours and cold out on Chassell Bay in search of the biggest northern pike or walleye. The competition is divided into two categories, individual and team effort, and is judged based on the weight of the fish caught. Participants pay a registration fee that becomes prize money. The fish must be alive when weighed, or else they will not be considered for scoring.

Relay races are held at Dee Stadium, in downtown Houghton.

Student organizations compete in races at the Tech Trails (Cross-Country) and at the Mt. Ripley Ski Hill (Downhill).

Volleyball in the snow makes for interesting competition. Teams must battle the cold weather and loose footing while making a run for Winter Carnival glory. Teams of six bump, set, and spike their way to victory.

To run in 27-inch snowshoes requires much coordination and power. In the sprint relay, it's a mad dash for the finish, while the cross-country relay requires more stamina and endurance.

On dry land, this event can be an easy win with sufficiently hefty people on your side, but at Carnival it is also a team-wide test of grip on ice.