1. The Chuck Norris of snow shelters
Quinzee Building
The Chuck Norris
of snow shelters

2. Advantages of a Quinzee
Warm shelter for several nights
Faster to build than an igloo
Relatively easy to build
Few tools required
Almost all snow conditions will work

3. Disadvantages Warmest on night #1, very temporary
Huge amount of energy expended to build
Generally you will be soaked with either perspiration or melted snow once you have completed the quinzee which is dangerous in a survival situation.

4. Instructions
STEP 1: Make a circle in untracked snow about 9 to 11 feet in diameter. Have one person stand in the middle as you walk around them (insta-circle).
STEP 2: Use a shovel or other digging tool to pile up the snow. Mixing snow of different temperatures will facilitate the hardening process (sintering).
STEP 3: Make a large pile (about 6 feet high) of snow and shape it into a dome. The snow should be heaped, not packed.
STEP 4: Allow the mound to sinter for 1 to 3 hours depending on weather and snow composition.
STEP 5: Begin to hollow out the mound once it has hardened sufficiently. Dig straight in at first to create your initial opening, then dig at an upward angle in order to make an elevated sleeping area. This will allow cold air from inside to flow down and out of the shelter.

5. Instructions Cont’d
STEP 6: Use the snow you dig out to make a windbreak in front of the entrance, or heap it onto the lower exterior of the shelter to thicken its walls and increase the available interior space.
STEP 7: If it is a sunny day, have someone block the light entering the doorway and carve out the interior walls until you can see light equally through all the walls. If it is not bright enough out poke 30+ chopsticks equally spaced into the dome before allowing it to sinter. Then carve out until you reach the tips of the chopsticks. Carve out Smooth out the interior walls and ceiling when the hollowed area is large enough.
STEP 8: Poke a 4” ventilation hole high on a side of the dome using a ski pole or long stick. Make sure this hole stays clear of ice and snow.
STEP 9: Use ski poles, sticks or other clearly visible items to mark the outside of the entrance in case it gets covered up while you're away.

6. Tips & Warnings
The walls of your shelter should be at least 6-8” thick.
While waiting for the snow to sinter, prepare a meal, go for a hike or perform some other task to remain active and warm. Don't just sit around.
Keep your shovel inside while you sleep in case enough snow falls that night that it gets covered.
Use your pack to block the entrance of the shelter, but leave space for air to flow in and out.
Don't cook inside your shelter. This can lead to a lethal buildup of carbon monoxide, even with the ventilation hole.
Building a shelter is hard work, so you can expect to sweat a great deal. This can cause hypothermia. Make sure you have an extra set of dry clothes to change into after you've finished building the shelter

7. What you need in order to build
Boots (change of socks)
Warm clothes
Shovel
Lots of food for energy