How to build a snow fort!

How to build a snow fort!

There are many different ways to build a snow fort.  I will give instructions for two of these ways below, although everyone has their own methods.  As a little background, my two brothers and I like to make “snow cities”.  We live on a corner and the plow comes and piles up snow there, so we are very lucky.  We make many forts.  Each fort is like a building.  There’s the store, the school, my house, my brother’s house, all the roads and streets and so on.  We spend hours on construction and the process is fun but the result is even better.  Here are my instructions:

The cave/tunnel style:

Step 1:  First, so you can save hours of time, you have to find a large snow bank. 

Step 2:   Start digging on one side of the bank.  Your fort can be as big as you want.   It can be like a cave, or a tunnel.  To make a tunnel, you keep on digging until you reach the other end.  For a cave you stop before you reach the other end.  After digging as deep as you want, make a small room by taking snow off the walls and ceiling in small amounts. 

Step 3:  That’s all!  It’s very simple.  Once you have made it as big as you would like, you stop. 

WARNING:  Be aware that roofs or walls of your cave or tunnel can collapse.  Play with caution.  Having another person with you when you build and play in your fort is a good idea. 

The igloo style:

Step 1:  Find an open space or shovel a little snow aside to make an open space. 

Step 2:  Find or make large blocks of snow.  It is good to do this when the snow is wet or sticky.

Step 3:  Start stacking the blocks, like an igloo.  It is good to have a wide and firm foundation to start on.  You might have a wall fall down once or twice, but don’t get discouraged.  This fort does not have a roof.