How to Build a Quinzee (Snow Shelter) for Winter Camping

A quinzee is a snow shelter made by piling up snow, letting it set, and hollowing it out. It’s a classic winter camping project, and on a cold night it can feel surprisingly cozy. In the video below, Steve Wallis builds an extra-large quinzee and spends the night in it, kept warm mostly by his own body heat. Here’s how to build one yourself and what to watch out for.

Quinzee vs. igloo

People often call any snow shelter an igloo, but they’re built differently:

• Igloo: built from blocks of firm, wind-packed snow, stacked in a spiral dome. It takes skill and the right kind of snow.
• Quinzee: made from a big pile of loose snow that’s mixed, left to harden and then dug out. It works with most kinds of snow, which makes it a better first project.

What you need

• A sturdy snow shovel (one per person if possible)
• A dozen or more sticks about a foot long to use as thickness guides
• Waterproof shell layers and spare gloves, since you’ll get snowy
• A partner. Never dig a snow shelter alone.
• A full winter sleep system: a warm sleeping bag and at least one insulated pad

Step 1: Pick your spot

Choose open, level ground away from avalanche terrain, steep slopes, tree wells and dead overhead branches. Stay well away from roads, driveways and anywhere a plow or snowmobile might pass, since a snow pile can look like any other snowbank.

Step 2: Pile the snow

Mark a circle a bit larger than the shelter you want and shovel snow onto it, mixing it as you go. Mixing snow from different layers helps it bond. Keep piling until the mound is well over head height for most adults. A bigger pile gives you a roomier inside and thicker walls.

Step 3: Let it set

Pat the pile smooth and wait. As the disturbed snow crystals settle, they bond and harden. This often takes a couple of hours, and longer in very cold or very dry snow. Use the time to gather gear, cook or push your thickness sticks into the pile, pointing toward the center, all over the dome.

Step 4: Dig it out

Dig a low entrance on the downwind side, then hollow out the inside, working up and out. When you hit the end of a stick, stop digging in that spot. That keeps the walls and roof an even thickness. Tips:

• Keep the partner outside while one person digs, ready to help.
• Pace yourself. Shoveling is hard work, and sweat-soaked layers will chill you later.
• Shape a smooth, dome-shaped ceiling so drips run down the walls rather than onto you.
• Make the sleeping platform higher than the top of the entrance. Cold air sinks, so it will settle toward the door.

Step 5: Ventilate

Poke a vent hole through the roof at an angle with a ski pole or stick, and keep it clear through the night. Leave the entrance partly open or block it loosely, never airtight. Don’t run stoves or burn candles or anything else inside. Use a headlamp for light.

Sleeping in a quinzee

Inside, a quinzee is sheltered from wind and usually much warmer than the air outside on a cold night. It is still cold, though, so you need a winter-rated sleeping bag and good insulation under you. Tips:

• Lay a ground sheet and one or two insulated pads on the platform.
• Keep a shovel inside with you in case you need to dig out.
• Bring boots and water bottles into your sleeping bag or keep them insulated so they don’t freeze.
• Put on dry base layers before bed.

Safety notes

• Never build or sleep in a snow shelter alone, and tell someone your plans.
• If the roof sags, cracks or drips heavily in warm weather, get out.
• Knock the quinzee down before you leave so no one crawls into a weakened shelter later.
• Supervise children closely around snow piles and shelters.

Planning your first night in the snow? Start with our guide to winter camping for the first time, and use our winter camping gear checklist so you don’t forget anything.

FAQ

How long does it take to build a quinzee?

Plan on several hours, including the time the pile needs to set. Larger shelters and dry snow take longer.

How thick should the walls be?

Many builders aim for walls roughly a foot thick and use sticks as depth guides, but follow local guidance and your own experience.

Is a quinzee warmer than a tent?

It usually blocks wind better and holds heat well, but it’s still cold inside. You need a full winter sleep system either way.

Can kids build a quinzee?

They can help pile snow, but an adult should do or closely supervise the digging, and kids should never dig snow shelters on their own.