Snow Shelter: Protection from the Winter Elements

Snow Shelter: Protection from the Winter Elements

by: Bridget Bernardo

After 2 snowy days, I ventured out into my backyard, braving the freezing cold to make a snow fort. One that would provide protection from the winter weather using nothing but natural elements and a 10 x 10 plastic tarp. The task seemed daunting, but I was up for the challenge. I initially planned on trying to use various aspects of nature, i.e. sticks, branches or leaves. However, due to the vast amount of snow and the landscapers that clean my lawn, the branches and sticks were nowhere to be found. So, I decided to make by winter shelter entirely out of snow. 

My idea was simple. I planned to find the biggest snow bank in my yard, resulting from the excess snow that was plowed up into my yard and use the snow bank to construct my snow fort. This photo to the left shows the snow bank I chose to build my snow fort in and what my yard looked like before I constructed by snow shelter.


















I began my using a snow shovel to dig down far enough to reach the grass underneath all the snow. This took about 15 minutes and I discarded the snow I dug out to either side of me continually rotating the sides to create two wall-like features on the left and right side of the fort. 

I began to start seeing a roof form as i dug further into the snow bank. I continued doing this until it began harder to get the snow out with the shovel I was using. I was also worried that the roof would soon cave in if I continued digging on that side. I contemplated a solution and I ran to my garage to find a metal shovel. The metal shovel made it much easier to break the snow up and I was able to get rid of much more snow faster. 










I then went to the other side of the snow bank and started digging from that side. I estimated where the hole on the other side was and started digging there to create a tunnel-like feature in the snow bank. This would allow a person or multiple people to crawl into the tunnel and be protected from the winter elements like, snow, wind, or hail. 




I finally was able to connect the tunnel from both sides. I then began to widen the tunnel by clearing away snow from the roof and the sides. This would allow more people to fit in the area.                












 





Here is a view of the tunnel from both sides. 

I finally put a tarp down to protect the person/people who were sitting in the snow fort from the cold ground. 

Here is a view of the finished product. Overall, I think that this project was pretty successful. While not ideal in the sub-zero temperature nights. This shelter could sustain someone for a night or two if need be. It could protect anyone from the winter elements and provide shelter for the night.