Quinzhee Build
Part of Emergency Shelter
A quinzhee is a hollowed-out mound of piled snow — simpler than an igloo, works with any snow type, and provides excellent insulation for winter survival.
What Makes a Quinzhee Different
An igloo requires dense, wind-packed snow that can be cut into structural blocks. A quinzhee requires nothing special — any snow that can be shoveled works. You pile loose snow into a mound, let it settle and sinter (the crystals bond together), then hollow it out. The result is a dome-shaped shelter that holds warmth nearly as well as an igloo with a fraction of the skill required.
| Quinzhee | Igloo |
|---|---|
| Any snow type works | Needs dense, cuttable snow |
| Pile then hollow | Cut blocks and stack |
| Beginner skill level | Advanced skill level |
| 3-4 hours (with settling) | 2-3 hours (experienced builder) |
| Good for 1-4 people | Good for 2-6 people |
| Moderate structural strength | Very strong structure |
Tools You Need
Minimum:
- Something to dig with — a shovel, cooking pot, flat piece of bark, snowshoe, or even your hands (though hands alone risk frostbite and take much longer)
Ideal:
- A proper shovel or entrenching tool
- 12-15 sticks, each exactly 30 cm (12 inches) long — wall thickness guides
- A saw or knife for trimming the entrance
- A tarp or ground sheet for the sleeping platform
Complete Build Process
Phase 1: Mounding (45-60 minutes)
See Snow Mounding for detailed technique.
Step 1 — Select a flat or gently sloped site protected from wind. Avoid areas under heavy tree canopy (snow load from branches falling can collapse the mound) or on slopes steeper than about 10 degrees.
Step 2 — Stamp out a circular base area roughly 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter for a 2-person quinzhee. For each additional person, add 60 cm to the diameter.
Step 3 — Pile snow into the center of this circle. Throw it, shovel it, kick it — the method does not matter. Mix snow from different layers if possible (this promotes sintering because different crystal types bond more aggressively). Build the mound to a height of at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) for a 2-person shelter, 2 meters (6.5 feet) for 3-4 people.
Step 4 — Shape the mound into a rough dome. Avoid steep sides — a hemisphere shape distributes structural loads evenly. Pat down the surface with the flat of your shovel to encourage initial bonding.
Phase 2: Settling (1-2 hours)
Do not skip the settling period
Freshly piled snow has no structural integrity. If you hollow it immediately, the roof will collapse on you. The snow must sinter — ice crystals bond at their contact points — which requires time and slightly warmer conditions inside the pile.
Wait at least 1 hour. In very cold conditions (below -20 C), wait 2 hours. Use this time productively:
- Gather insulation for the floor (pine boughs, dry grass, bark)
- Collect firewood (for a fire OUTSIDE the quinzhee)
- Prepare food and water
- Insert guide sticks: push your 30 cm sticks into the mound from outside, perpendicular to the surface, spaced evenly over the entire dome. These tell you when to stop hollowing.
Phase 3: Hollowing (45-90 minutes)
See Hollowing Out for detailed technique.
Step 5 — Choose the entrance location on the downwind side. Begin digging a tunnel entrance at ground level, angling slightly downward then back up into the mound. The entrance floor should be the lowest point of the entire shelter — cold air sinks here and drains out.
Step 6 — Once inside the mound, begin hollowing upward and outward. Work from the top down — remove ceiling snow first, then widen the walls. Stop digging when you expose the tips of your guide sticks (30 cm wall thickness).
Step 7 — Shape the interior ceiling into a smooth dome. Run your gloved hand over it to eliminate flat spots and bumps where meltwater would pool and drip.
Step 8 — Carve a raised sleeping platform. The platform should be 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) higher than the entrance tunnel floor. This keeps sleepers in the warm air layer near the ceiling.
Step 9 — Poke a ventilation hole through the ceiling at the highest point using a stick. The hole should be fist-sized (8-10 cm diameter). Angle it at roughly 45 degrees to prevent snow from falling in.
Phase 4: Finishing
Step 10 — Insulate the sleeping platform with pine boughs (tips up, stems down, layered like shingles), a tarp, dry grass, or any material that separates your body from the snow. A 10 cm layer of boughs makes a significant difference.
Step 11 — Create an entrance block. A backpack, a snow block cut to size, or a stuff sack filled with snow works. You want to reduce airflow through the entrance without sealing it completely — some air exchange must continue.
Step 12 — Mark the outside of the quinzhee with a tall stick or dark objects so no one walks on it.
Sizing Guide
| Occupants | Base Diameter | Mound Height | Interior Height | Build Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 m (8 ft) | 1.2 m (4 ft) | 0.6 m (2 ft) | 2.5 hours |
| 2 | 3.0 m (10 ft) | 1.5 m (5 ft) | 0.9 m (3 ft) | 3.5 hours |
| 3-4 | 3.5 m (12 ft) | 2.0 m (6.5 ft) | 1.2 m (4 ft) | 4.5 hours |
Interior heights are after hollowing. Remember: smaller is warmer. Do not build larger than you need.
Common Failures and Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Roof collapse during hollowing | Insufficient settling time | Wait longer; in extreme cold, 2+ hours |
| Dripping ceiling | Flat spots on interior dome | Smooth ceiling into continuous curve |
| Cold interior | Entrance too large or at same level as sleeping area | Reduce entrance size; raise sleeping platform |
| Blocked ventilation | Snow drift or frost plugging hole | Check every few hours; keep a stick nearby to clear it |
| Wet sleeping gear | Direct contact with snow walls | Keep gear 5 cm from walls; use insulation layer on platform |
Emergency Variant: The Quick Quinzhee
If you have less than 2 hours of daylight and must shelter immediately:
- Pile snow for 20 minutes — even a 1-meter-high mound helps
- Pack it firmly with your shovel or feet
- Wait only 30 minutes (risky — be very gentle when hollowing)
- Hollow just enough space to curl up inside
- Dig the entrance tunnel at least 30 cm below your body level
- Poke a ventilation hole immediately
This produces a cramped, less stable shelter, but it beats sleeping exposed in a blizzard.
Key Takeaways
- A quinzhee works with any type of snow — wet, dry, powdery, or dense — making it the most versatile winter shelter.
- The settling period (1-2 hours) is not optional — freshly piled snow has no structural integrity and will collapse.
- Guide sticks pushed in from outside (30 cm length) prevent you from hollowing the walls too thin.
- The entrance must be lower than the sleeping platform so cold air drains out and body-warmed air stays inside.
- Always maintain a ventilation hole in the ceiling — CO2 buildup in a sealed snow shelter is lethal.