Building a Snow House

Our fine summer weather is not likely to last. We can anticipate winter snows--and the continued pressure of a tight housing situation. Next winter, why not build yourself a snow house? According to the late polar explorer, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, who learned the art from Canadian Eskimos, the structure can be erected easily.

First, find a snow bank of deep, well-packed snow. With a long butcher knife or machete, cut the snow into domino-shaped blocks four inches thick, 15 to 20 inches wide and 20 to 35 inches long.

Choose a level place on a drift three to four feet deep. Plant a peg where the center of the dwelling will be located and another to define the circumference. Set the first row of blocks on edge after undercutting the inner edge so that the blocks lean inward at an angle (slight angle for a large house; considerable angle for a smaller one). Trim the blocks to fit closely.

Make a diagonal cut downward to the bottom edge of the far corner of a first tier block and place the first block of the second tier in the niche thus formed. Lean the second block of the second tier, and so on, building up spirally. Four tiers should do it for a small house. And, of course, the blocks of each tier must be inclined inward at a greater angle than those of the tier below and at a lesser angle than those of the tier above. The result, after careful cutting and fitting, will be a perfect dome.

Chink in all the gaps between the blocks with soft snow.

Dig a tunnel through the drift to provide a kind of trap door entry to it.

Retain the ventilating hole in the roof.

Heat with kerosene stove or something similar.

Spread your furs and snooze contentedly.

You have solved one of our most pressing economic problems.