Outdoors
How to build a quinzee snow shelter
A quinzee is a simple shelter made by hollowing out a big pile of snow. They can take several hours to build, but are an effective way to stay warm when camping in the winter. Here’s how to build one.
BUILDING A QUINZEE
Step 1: Shovel a pile of snow into a mound seven to eight feet high and big enough around to hold two people once it is hollowed out. Mix snow of different temperatures to cause it to harden, or “sinter.” Flip the snow over so it mixes when you pile it into a mound.
Step 2: Shape the mound into a dome and allow it to sinter for about 90 minutes. Then begin to hollow out the mound.
Dig a small entrance on the downhill side. Smooth out the walls and ceiling. The walls should be one to two feet thick. Poke measuring sticks through from the outside of the mound, so you will know to stop hollowing out the inside when you see the ends of the sticks. Hollow the shelter out from the top down.
Step 3: Use the last foot of snow to make elevated snowbeds. Dig a narrow trench between the beds all the way to the ground. This allows cold air to flow down and out of the quinzee. Poke a small ventilation hole near the top of the dome.
Step 4: Building a quinzee will make you sweat. Prevent hypothermia by changing into warm dry clothes after you finish building your shelter.
Make sure you mark your entrance in case it gets covered with snow while you are away having fun. Keep a small shovel inside in case you need to dig your way out.
WINTER CAMPING TIPS
- If you have to visit the latrine in the middle of the night, eat a snack afterward to help warm up your body and get back to sleep. Don’t worry about keeping the snacks in your quinzee — when you camp in winter, you don’t have to worry about bears.
- Jell-O gelatin mix makes a great hot drink. Store Jello-O powder in refillable backpacking tubes and add it to hot water. Try cherry Jell-O in instant hot chocolate!
- Eat your meals from their packages. Vacuum-sealed meals and packages of oatmeal can be opened and used as “bowls.” If you don’t rip the top off completely, you’ll have only one piece of trash to dispose of.
- Bury your water jugs in a snowdrift. The snow insulates the water and keeps it from freezing.
Read 46 comments about “How to build a quinzee snow shelter”
October 10th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Man, I am bad at making one without this
October 7th, 2008 at 6:30 am
how do you keep the quinzee from falling?
May 30th, 2008 at 7:09 am
sweet
April 14th, 2008 at 7:24 am
sick! so awesome
April 14th, 2008 at 7:23 am
so cool we go camping in the poconos i should try it
March 24th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
wow thats weird..how did you come up with something like that. we dnt have any snow here anymore..so i cnt try it. darn.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:11 am
cool
March 8th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I built a quinzee with my cousins. They loved it! I even admit that I had an awesome time, too!
March 6th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Great info. Question; if the ventilation seems OK with the cold air flowing down and out of the quinzee, is it safe to use candels or even small fuel stove or heater?
March 4th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
good info ^^thanks