Building a Snowcave

**H-man** · 03-12-2007, 10:21 AM

Simple, effective and a fun book with great art. It also has pictures of how to perfect the snot rocket.

**fullers2oh** · 03-12-2007, 01:03 PM

the backcountry ski book is an excellent read i highly reccomend it! bring it with you out in the backcountry so when you are bored at night you can study it. lots of good basic info!

one thing to add about the location of the snowcave - be sure there is no AVY exposure from slopes above! you dont want that cave becoming too cozy and turning into a coffin!

practice this before you decide to use it as your only method of shelter - bring a tent just in case your cave doesnt work out like planned you have a backup.

**bcrider** · 03-12-2007, 01:08 PM

For a single night with only one or two diggers I'm much too lazy to spend hours building a snowcave. I'd rather take a 1lbs 8oz BD Betalight, have camp set up in less than 5minutes, and use my extra time/energy to ski.

Still a good experience though. Have fun!

**Wiilbert** · 03-12-2007, 01:29 PM

skibee, I am refering to the accident on the Wapta. I read up on it, sounded like they knew what they were doing and did indeed have some bad luck. I can't tell from your post though, they were in a trench with a snow-roof and the roof collapsed? I thought the article mentioned a cave, but I've learned how inaccurate the media is.

Anyways, thinking about something like that happening makes me nauseous. I'll gladly pack a tent in exchange for a peaceful night's rest.

**dbldmnd** · 03-12-2007, 05:29 PM

As other have mentioned:
- keep opening lower than floor to maintain heat, think beaver dam type entrance
- have a curved / dome shape on the inside ceiling
- make sure ceiling is higher than you need, it will drop as you are sleeping
- poke vent hole in roof
- use candles to warm it up and ice the ceiling over
- a tarp, thermarest and winter bag will keep you somewhat dry
- and block entrance with packs to keep the wind/cold out

Sleeping in a snow cave was an interesting experience, the temp inside was in the 30s, which was comfortable. I just remember waking up to a ceiling that was 12-18 in lower than when I went to sleep.

**SuperChief** · 03-12-2007, 05:48 PM

For quick and easy the tent is the best option.

Don't want to pack a heavy tent, the snow trench with a tarp works well. An appropriated coors light banner works pretty well. I prefer to carry an extra tarp to wrap up burrito style with sleeping pad and bag. The coors light banner is the roof.

As for snowcaves I like the Allen & Mikes BC book technique of piling up a bunch of snow and making a cave. Especially if the snowcover is only a couple feet thick. Pile all your packs etc and bury it. (try to bury it close to the doorway it makes the inside accessible quicker) then dig down and and then up into the snowpile to find your gear and start removing it. This speeds up the process alot. Once you're dug in start to customize as suggested in previous posts

good luck! snowcaves are fun. Earn extra bonus points if the kids need one in the backyard by burying alot of stuff and digging it out.