So, your interest has been piqued and you want to know everything there is to know about building an igloo? Welcome friend! You’ve come to the right place and we’re happy to have you join us on this journey.

Winter camping and ultimately igloo construction needs passion, skill and an adventurous spirit. And just like you, when Ed Huesers started out, he had all three too. Igloo Ed’s love for building igloos has sent him on many an adventurous journey where he has made some impeccable igloos. Are you ready to join him and take on this incredible winter skill too? All you need is an ICEBOX® igloo maker and you will be on your way.

For centuries, the Inuit have built igloos for shelter from the harsh elements of the Arctic. You can do the same and so much more! Thanks to Igloo Ed’s ICEBOX® igloo maker technology, igloos can be used as:

1. A safe and warm wilderness snow shelter for adventurers
2. A fun winter camping project for families
3. A unique location for hosting events with a large groups of friends
4. A team building activity with co-workers
5. With the ICEBOX® igloo maker, you can now leave your bulky cold tent at home and build a durable, as big-as-you-want warm igloo for cozy and fun winter outings.

Igloos Make the Best Winter Tent: 3 Reasons Why

Stable Structure: Unlike winter tents that flap around and may even be blown away by strong winds: igloos don’t budge or become uprooted. That’s because they are supported by a stable catenary curve. This ensures that the blocks of snow do not collapse in on themselves. In fact, Igloo Ed is so confident in their strength, that he claims that igloos made with the ICEBOX® igloo maker are strong enough to support the weight of three people! Even though building an igloo takes longer than setting up a winter tent, it lasts much longer too. An igloo built out in the open can last for several weeks. An igloo built near the shelter of the trees, away from direct sunlight, can last for an entire season.

Warmth: Tightly packed snow is filled with air. This trapped air serves as a great insulator and is definitely not something a winter tent can do. It’s true! Igloos are warmer than tents! Want to know more? Check out this fun video that explains the science behind how an igloo keeps you warm. The inside of an igloo can reach as high as 40 degrees, sometimes even more. Compared to this, winter tents are only 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. Not to mention how the temperature drops if you open the flap and the cold air rushes in!

Space: Since an igloo is shaped like a dome, it has more space than many winter tents to stow your gear. It can also pack in more people than a tent can. The ICEBOX™ igloo maker is capable of creating an overnight winter shelter for a large group of people in just 1.5 to 3 hours (for experienced builders in ideal snow conditions. Expect 7+ hours for your first igloos). The ICEBOX® igloo maker can make igloos of varying sizes with the help of an adjustable pole, which can give you a maximum space of 95 square feet. For added comfort, dig a trough across the igloo to allow you to sit with your legs hanging instead of cross-legged style. An igloo is also big enough for a person to stand up and stretch. Another feature that many tents don’t have!

There are so many practical reasons to opt for an igloo rather than a winter tent. Stability, warmth and extra space are all logical choices to do so. Plus the sense of adventure and survival that come with camping in an igloo. It’s knowing that you have created shelter for yourself and your group with your own hands. It’s the confidence of being able to survive in the wilderness, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. The ICEBOX® Igloo Tool assures setting up a winter base camp is easy and durable in any weather. Great for snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, camping in the snow or snow fort fun in the backyard with family. Winter camping in an igloo is just plain fun.

With so many ways to use an igloo, what are we waiting for? Let’s learn how it’s done! Check out our how to build an igloo page for an in depth breakdown of the steps.