Step 1: Make a circle where you are going to build...when exhausted, lay down in the middle of the circle.

Step 2: throw about 5-6 feet of snow into the circle, packing it down as you go.

Step 3: dig out your new home using shovels and other garden equipment

Step 4: lay down a tarp on top of some hay, and then enjoy your new home!

The quinzee is a shelter of Athapaskan origin used in colder boreal forest regions of North America where snow is generally loose lying and of very low density. A quinzee, or snow hut, is warmer than a tent and easy to construct. The temperature inside the quinzee goes no lower than 28°F no matter how cold it is outside. The domed outside of the structure becomes self-supporting after a very short time because of the rapid increase in bonding strength between ice crystals during destructive metamorphism from the weight of the snow itself. This session will provide building instructions and will also include information about the levels of hypothermia, their detection, and different methods of treatment. Never assume that you won't succumb to exposure as this will all but guarantee injury.

Videos:
Discussion About Sintering
Requires Apple's Quicktime software.