Even if it is just in your backyard, building a snow shelter is a great way for families to bond, have fun and get some exercise. You can spend the night in your shelter or use it for a picnic.

Plus, a snow hut, or “quinzee” is fun to make.

Follow up:

More than a pile of snow, a quinzee is a warm(ish) place to spend a winter night.

First, clear a circular area in the snow about 7 or 8 feet across. Then, use a shovel or other digging tool to mix up the snow in the clearing, making sure to bring snow from bottom layers up higher and vice versa. Mixing snow of different temperatures will facilitate the hardening process.

Next, make a large pile (about 6 feet high) of snow on top of the clearing and shape it into a dome. The snow should be heaped, not packed. Allow the mound to sit for 1 to 3 hours, or overnight.

When the snow is settled and hardened, hollow out the mound. 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.

Use the snow you dig out to make a windbreak in front of the entrance, or heap it onto the exterior of the shelter to thicken its walls and increase the available interior space.

Smooth out the interior walls and ceiling when the hollowed area is large enough and poke a ventilation hole through the top of the dome using a ski pole or long stick. Make sure this hole stays clear of ice and snow. (This is super important since you need to keep air circulating to avoid an overdose of carbon dioxide.)

Carve a bench along the wall to sleep on, the climb in and enjoy.

I've built a few quinzees, and spent the night in them, but never with kids. I think I would try this out close to home the first time, just in case the kids get too cold or really don't like it. For some children, the fort-like aspect will outweigh the slight discomfort. If you pile in lots of sleeping bags and quilts, they are pretty comfortable.

Have you ever spent a night in a snow shelter? How did it turn out?

More on quinzees at Winter Campers.