Q&A for How to Build an Igloo

If you're dealing with powdery snow, you'll want to create firm snow by 'boot packing,' or smashing through layers of snow to compress it. This takes lots of running, jumping, or dancing in place until you are sure you have compacted several feet of snow. Then put on skis and ski back and forth over the area until it is flat and smooth. In an ideal world, you should wait up to 24 hours before starting to construct or cut bricks.

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

The moon shape carvings are big enough to allow CO2 to exit the igloo, and the carvings won't weaken the structure of the bricks as much as a circle or square would. Also, the moon carvings won't allow as much cold air to enter the igloo so the inside is kept warm.

Usually circular, but it can be any shape you want. Triangular uses the least surface area.

An igloo is held together by tightly packing the snow together to create a secure foundation.

Snow, because if it is built out of ice and you don't have ventilation holes, you will suffocate.

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.

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.

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

You can make a pseudo-igloo by digging into the snow mound and creating a room inside, but it will not be a true igloo.

You have to find the best viable solution. Look around for potential alternatives . You could try any available sheet/piece of ice, stack sticks and cover with snow, or cover with a piece of clothing and apply snow. Water could be added or sprayed on to harden the top.

You can, but you will have to have a chimney through which the smoke and excess heat can escape.

It is not recommended, as it will be incredibly cold and hard for survival.

Carve the corners (the ones that face the inside) of the layer of blocks below. Then stack your blocks on top. There might be a gap outside, but after you carve the entrance and get out, you can add more snow there to fill the gap.

A true igloo is made of snow and ice.

You could take minimal breaks during the process. In result, you will probably finish faster.

You at least need a snow knife or a saw. Without either or those, you cannot cut snow blocks and make an igloo.

It can take a long time if you are doing it by yourself and you want it to be large. If you have a smaller design and a good amount of help you can do it in an hour or two.

Probably not. You would need at least 5 or 6 inches to carve the ice blocks and form a sturdy base.

The top ice will most likely melt, and you don't want that. Also, you would need a lot of ventilation holes if you want to keep the carbon monoxide out.

You can eat ice and snow, but you should not eat yellow snow, as it could be pee.

A true igloo is made of snow and ice. If you are in the middle of a desert, you're out of luck.

No, snow works much better.

Not that important, but you should use something to prop it up so it doesn't fall over.

An igloo is not a tall structure. Digging blocks from the floor inside the wall gives you enough depth to stand up inside.

Depends on how big you want your igloo. An average igloo takes around 7-8 hours.

You can make snow blocks using a couple rectangular bins, packing them with snow, then just use the recently made snow blocks to construct the igloo.

Approximately the same depth/height of your blocks. But it is a personal choice, as you can make an igloo with a super deep floor and a roof overtop.

Make a very big snowball and start carving it like a pumpkin. Once you're done, pour cold water on it so it freezes and doesn’t cave in.