How To:

A Quinzee, or Quizhee, is a snow shelter made from a giant pile of snow. It differs from an igloo because it doesn’t involve compact blocks of hard snow, or a snow cave as it doesn’t involve digging directly into the snow. It entered the English language from the Athabascan People of Canada in 1984. Quinzees are sturdy structures when assembled correctly, making them great when stranded in very snowy areas. They can provide you with up to three days’ worth of shelter in an emergency. It works best in situations below 25 degrees F.. Here is how you can build one.

Picking A Spot

Where you build your Quinzee is important. You’ll need to find a nice sheltered spot on level ground. Don’t pick a spot with too much overhanging snow, but you’ll need something to protect you from the wind. Don’t pick an area over ice as this will suck your body heat while you sleep, resulting in hypothermia. When found, stomp out the diameter and pack the snow down in your circle. To determine how big it’s going to be lay down in the snow and make a snow angel. Now go out a foot or two from the edge of your angel.

Pile Up Snow

This will be the most time-consuming part of your project. You’ll want to pace yourself by taking frequent breaks when you can. If you have a heart condition, try getting someone in your group to assist you. You’ll want to start by collecting the snow from around your diameter first. Mix snow at different temperatures to harden or sinter, it by flipping the snow over the pile as you add it. This is key to building a sturdy structure. Pile the snow up in the middle of your diameter in a conical shape about 7-8 feet tall. When finished, smooth it out, making it round. Let it sit for 2-3 hours to harden the outside layer.

Digging It Out

Once the mound is firm, you can begin hollowing it out. Find a spot downwind and start digging into your snow pile towards the ground, then up. Make the entrance just big enough for yourself, or the largest member of your party. When inside, dig the interior out carefully. You’ll want to keep digging until you can see light coming through the walls or is a foot thick. Arch the inside roof no bigger than the tallest person in your group can sit up comfortably in. If you want to add additional stability to your structure, insert foot-long poles through the walls and roof.

Finishing It Up

You’ll want to poke two holes on either side of the roof an inch round for ventilation. Make a small trench around the sleeping area to manage condensation and air quality. Build a small shelf to hold your lantern and radio on. Use your pack as a door to keep snow from blowing into your structure should the wind change directions. Place a tarp on the floor to keep from getting wet as the snow melts around you. Because of the tightness of space, you shouldn’t have more than two people in each one or a fire inside. If you do wish to build a fire, do it 10 feet from your structure.

Maintaining It

The next day, you’ll want to air it out before re-entering it in the morning. Patch up any thin spots on the roof and ceiling. Get up early in the morning to chip away at any ice that has built up on the inner walls that night. Construction collapses are rare but can happen. When turning in for the night, leave your shovel sticking up just outside the door to let others know you are there. If in a group, take turns keeping watch outside once the storm has passed. If possible, build a three-foot wall around your structure to provide more protection from the elements.