How to Build a Quinzhee Survival Shelter

Over the last few winters, I have developed my skills at making what is called a quinzhee. A quinzhee is a survival shelter made from a pile of snow. It is similar to an Igloo but an igloo is made from snow blocks, not a snow pile. The following steps will guide you through what is required to make this shelter.

Quinzhees are a great survival shelter and are considerably warmer than a tent for winter camping. They are also a great way to have fun with the family.

It should take you about 4-5 hours to make your shelter from scratch if you work hard at it and don't skip steps.

You can find my How to build a Quinzhee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv5mw9pIcx8

Two shovels

One scoop-style shovel:

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/yardworks-heavy-duty-snow-scoop-shovel-with-steel-wear-strip-14-in-0597974p.html?loc=plp

One small detailing shovel or folding emergency shovel works great:

https://www.lowes.ca/product/snow-shovels/goodyear-goodyear-shovel-and-brush-combo-pack-1059535

My suggestion is if you can only acquire one shovel, get a scoop shovel because making the snow pile requires the most work.

First thing. It must be cold and dry. To make a good quinzhee you need soft snow, not sticky snow.

I have learned to make my snow pile at least 5+ feet tall. Once you dig out your pile it is nice to be able to sit up inside. You can do this by digging all the way to the ground but as you will see it is much better to keep your sleeping level higher than the lowest part (I will explain later). You will want to make the pile wide enough to be able to lie down in all directions once dug out.

Once you have a suitable pile you must let it set (called sintering) for at least two hours. This allows the outside to harden just enough to hold the shelter together.

If you want to make sure your quinzhee walls are the right thickness simply cut some sticks about 4 inches long and stick them in your snow pile all around the sides, tops, and roof section. This will give you aid to the right thickness. As you dig once you hit the end of the stick you will be at the correct thickness.

Alternatively, you can dig until you start to see daylight. This is also an indication that you have dug out enough snow.

Digging out your pile is the most detailed work but can also be the most fun and rewarding too. Start with a hole you can just fit in, then dig until you get the inside the way you want it.

TIP: You want to keep the sleeping area above the ground by at least one foot. I have tried sleeping on the ground and it is cold... You need to have a sleeping area higher than the lowest part of the quinzhee. This will allow the heat to stay in the upper part while the cold air is pushed down into the "cold well". I typically leave the opening to the quinzhee as the lower part with a small tunnel. While digging leave the snow on the sleeping area. No need to refill it after.

Now use the snow that you dug out of the center of the snow pile to build a new pile that will become a tunnel.

Try and build it high up the sides and out in front where you would like a tunnel.

TIP: Use snow blocks to temporarily fill the hole you just dug so that the new pile doesn't fill in your quinzhee too much. Let the tunnel pile sinter for at least an hour.

Once sintering on the tunnel is complete you can now start digging out your tunnel. Use this now to build a wind wall around the front of the hole. This will give you one more level of protection from the outside. Start your hole at ground level and slowly build it up to your sleeping level. Alternatively, you can dig it on the ground all the way to your sleeping area. Then you can sit up inside the quinzhee if this is a feature you wish to implement.

You are now complete. If you have followed all the above steps your quinzhee is ready to use. Now hang out with your kids or your dog, survive an emergency in the wilderness, or just have fun with it.

Here is a quick list of what I bring to sleep in:

• An emergency blanket base layer
• foam bed roll or mat
• Warm sleeping bag
• Felt liner
• Silk liner

Also, ware your clothes for bed. If you are camping for 3 days just stay in the same cloth and sleep in them too.

For more details on winter camping see my other instructable here: https://www.instructables.com/Winter-Camping-101/

You can also check out my last two winter camping trips (including sleeping in quinzhees here:

2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9mXLlR-IL0

2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVineT70enQ

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make a quinzhee.

Please feel free to reach out and ask questions.

Be safe and have fun.

#getoutside, #getofthecouch and #keepmoving