1.

1
Build on a slope to save effort. Of course, an igloo can be built on flat land without
any problems, but by building your igloo into a hillside, the slope will cut down on the
surface area of your igloo dome. Less surface area means fewer bricks, and fewer
bricks mean less work for you.
o

In survival situations, a hillside building site should be prioritized.

Avoid free-standing mounds, as these are likely logs or boulders buried in

snow.

Use a snow prod or a long stick to verify usable space for your igloo. [3]

2
Use a snow prod to test the snow for consistency. Ideally, you'll want to cut the
bricks of your igloo from snow that is hard packed with no soft layers of soft snow in it.
Use your snow prod or a long stick to check the snow, which should offer firm, uniform
resistance if hard packed throughout.[4]
o

Measure the depth of your snow while checking consistency. You'll want
the snow to be at least 2 feet (0.61 m) deep to make your igloo.

3
Outline the outer wall of your igloo. Use the heel of your boot to scuff out a line
marking the circular outside of your igloo. The snow on the inside of your circle should
all be consistently hard packed, and your circle should be regular in shape.
A poorly outlined outer wall will result in your igloo's design being less

stable and sturdy.

Never build a dome with a diameter larger than 10 feet (3.0 m), as it will

require you to build a perfect dome. This is a nearly impossible task, even with special
tools.[5]

4
Know your general plan for igloo construction. You'll soon be using snow blocks cut
from the snow inside the outer perimeter of your igloo to build the walls of your igloo
dome. You'll be building from the inside out, cutting the door of your structure after
finishing your dome from the inside.[6]

5
Cut a narrow rectangular trench to prepare to harvest blocks. Depending on the
size of your igloo, the size of your blocks can change, but traditionally igloo blocks are 3
feet (0.91 m) long, 15 inches (38 cm) high, and about 8 inches (20 cm) thick. Cut a
narrow rectangular trench with your snow knife to accommodate several blocks this size.
o

Cut your trench in a way that places one of its short ends flat against the
outer perimeter line of your igloo.

The place your trench and outer wall boundaries meet will eventually
become your outside door.

If working on a slope or building your igloo into a hillside, dig your trench
directly toward the slope.

A handsaw or machete can be used in place of a snow knife. [7][8]

Part

Making Your Igloo Dome

1.

1
Harvest your blocks and begin assembling your first row. Section the hard packed
snow inside the perimeter of your rectangular trench into equal rectangular blocks.
Stubborn blocks can be broken free by sticking your snow tool into the cut around the
block and gently wiggling it back and forth until the block is broken free. Then arrange
your blocks around the perimeter of your igloo to create the first layer of your dome. [9]
o

Your blocks should be 3 feet (0.91 m) long, 15 inches (38 cm) high, and
about 8 inches (20 cm) thick, and should taper slightly as you build upward.

Run your snow knife, machete, or handsaw along the edges of your first
row of blocks where one block joins the next. This will smooth contours and help fit each
block together tightly.

When your rectangular trench no longer has snow for blocks, cut another
trench the same dimensions as the first. All the snow used in building your dome should
come from within the perimeter of the igloo.[10]

2
Cut a slope into your first row of snow blocks. Due to the rectangular shape of your
blocks, you will need to cut a gentle slope inclining from the ground all the way to the top
height of your first row of snow blocks. This incline should extend part way around your
igloo (perhaps even as much as halfway), and should be cut with your snow knife,
machete, or handsaw.
This incline will allow your blocks to be stacked in a vertical spiral, creating

o
a snug fit.

[11]

3
Level and shape igloo walls when necessary. This will make stacking and layering
the ice blocks much easier. Additionally, as you build your dome upward, you will need
to shape your snow blocks to fit the reduced space at the top of your dome. Use your
snow knife, machete, or handsaw to do this as necessary.
Each row of your igloo dome should slope gradually inward. Use your

snow knife, machete, or saw to create a very gentle inward slope for each row of snow
blocks.
o

Using your hand, plug any gaps you find in your dome from the inside with
snow. Simply pat snow into the gap until it is filled. [12][13]

4
Add blocks cut from the snow inside the igloo perimeter. Continue to liberate blocks
from the snow within your igloo perimeter with your snow knife/machete, and then stack
your next layer starting from the sloping end of your first row. As your dome wall rises,
blocks will begin to decrease in size and slope inward.
o

To increase stability and prevent ceiling blocks from falling, bevel the
edges where ceiling blocks meet the row beneath.

To bevel, cut the inside corner of your ceiling block so that it forms a flat
base with its neighboring block beneath. [14]

5
Fit your cap-hole blocks carefully. The topmost blocks in your igloo dome are
notoriously tricky to fit into place, so take your time and work carefully during this leg of
your igloo building. Use your snow knife/machete to sculpt these pieces to fit tightly
together.
o

Since your final hole will be exceptionally small, you will have to turn your
final block on its end and feed it through the hole on its side.

When your final cap-hole piece is balanced on the outer top part of the
dome, cut it down to fit in place snugly with your snow knife/machete. [15]
Part

Finishing Your Igloo

1.

1
Carve vents in your igloo to prevent CO2 poisoning. Your body heat will cause the
snow of your dome to melt and then freeze again, creating a barrier between the inside
and outside of your igloo. Without ventilation this seal will prevent the CO 2 that you
exhale from escaping, and could seriously harm you.[16]
o

Cut small, crescent shaped vents into the top or sides of your igloo to
prevent the buildup of CO2.[17]

2
Cut your entrance. Now that you have the dome of your igloo created and some vents
carved into place, you're ready to make an entrance. Use your snow knife/machete to
cut a rectangle from the bottom of your block deep igloo base to about eye-level high,
while crouching, in your dome wall. Your cut should be as deep as your dome wall is
thick.[18]
o

Try to preserve this block by pulling it inside the igloo. You can save this
block to create an overhang for your entrance.

3
Clear your entrance way. Remove the remaining snow from your entrance in an gentle
upward slope. You can pull this snow inside your igloo and use it for further patching
gaps from the inside, or you can simply push it outside. Once your sloped entrance is
finished, take the rectangular block you cut free of your dome wall and turn it on its side
to remove it from your igloo. Then:
o

Cut the rectangular dome-wall block in half.

Lean each half of your block inward over your entrance trench so that
each one holds the other up in an upside down V shape.

This upside V overhang for your entrance should be as close to the mouth
of the entrance as possible, to provide the most protection. [19]

4
Strengthen your exterior with snow and enjoy your igloo. Your igloo can be made
even more durable to patching thin spots and gaps with more snow. Some gaps may be
most easily patched from the inside, while you might have better access to others from
outside. In either case, use your hand to press the snow into the gap and then smooth
the area to pack it together.[20]
o

You should be able to assess the stability of your igloo by touch. If the
blocks feel solid and sturdy, your igloo should withstand the elements.

Even if your igloo is a little on the rickety side, in the event of a cave-in,
you'll be able to dig yourself free from the snow easily.

Community Q&A
New! Answer questions, help people.

What do I do if the snow is powdery?

wikiHow Contributor

It will take much longer, but you can mix the snow with water and press it into buckets or
other large containers.
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How long will the igloo last?

wikiHow Contributor

It depends on the climate where you live. In certain areas where winters are longer and
colder, it may last weeks. In warmer places, a couple of days.
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What should be the shape of an igloo's foundation?

wikiHow Contributor

Usually circular, but it can be any shape you want. Triangular uses the least surface
area.
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How do I build an igloo at school?

wikiHow Contributor

Wait for it to snow and ask your teacher if you can do it as an art project. Ask for tools
and invite some friends along -- the more the merrier, as you will get it done faster.
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How can I build an igloo in summer?

wikiHow Contributor

You could use sand bags, bricks, or cement blocks, but this would not be a true igloo.

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Can I make an igloo without snow?

wikiHow Contributor

A true igloo is made of snow and ice.

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Unanswered Questions
What if the snow is not packy how do I make the top/ceiling?

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Tips

Spraying your igloo with a moderate amount of water will cause a shell to form
around its outside. If you use water to do this, be sure to check your air vents to make
sure CO2 can escape.

You might reinforce the final cap-hole piece with a long stick or twig.

Get a partner if possible. Two experienced igloo builders can make an igloo in
under two hours.

Be picky about your snow. It must be very solid.

A waterproof picnic rug can make sitting in your igloo more comfortable.

If your area does not have suitable snow, you can make use of store-bought
snow block molds. These can be purchased from some winter sports stores or general
online retailers.[21]

Make your own block molds by making a rectangular frame from four boards.
Rectangular containers, like wastebaskets, will also work. [22]