How to Build a Snow Tunnel
Whether on a serious trek through mountain terrain or simply having fun in your backyard, building a snow tunnel can be a fun and useful way to get out of the wind. Kids should always be supervised when building a snow tunnel, but if built correctly snow tunnels are very safe. Here's how to get started.
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Instructions
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Be prepared. Wear winter clothing, or clothes that insulate you as well as protective clothing that will keep your head, feet and hands warm. Bring a shovel to do any digging you can't do with your hands.
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Have a pile of snow 4 to 5 feet high. Either find a pile of snow that high or gather snow from all around to create a pile that's large enough to dig a tunnel through.
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Use the buddy system. Never start without having someone outside the tunnel just in case it caves in while you're digging it out. You can take turns digging the tunnel, but always make sure that one of you remains on the outside at all times.
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Start digging a hole into your pile of snow with your shovel large enough for you to move around comfortably. Make sure that the walls of your tunnel are at the very least 1 foot wide to avoid collapsing.
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Shape your tunnel. As you continue digging your tunnel, you can shape it by using a shovel to smooth out any lumps in the snow, saw off sharp peaks, or remove rocks from the tunnel.
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Smooth out the walls. Using your hands (wearing gloves) smooth out the inside wall of the tunnel, forming a layer of ice which will prevent snow falling in on you or your friends.
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