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The igloo is an invention of the Inuit tribes. Here the hunters sleep in ice holes, their only chance of survival from the cold as the temperature drops to minus 40 degrees centigrade at night. The windows of the igloo always face towards the side which receive the most daylight.

Igloos are only built in the Canadian Arctic and in Thule in Greenland. In Southern and Eastern Greenland, dugouts braced with whalebone and rock are favoured as digs. The Inuit also created large snow domes for singing, dancing, and competitions for the long winter nights. The community igloos contained skylights, not that there was much sun outside during the long bleak winter where the sun doesn’t rise for 3 whole months. The stars and moon provide “light” indoors.

What did the Inuit get up to during the cold winter nights?

After feasting and dancing, singing and lawsuits were popular pastimes. The close contact grated on many Eskimos nerves and they would conduct litigation in the form of song and verse, making up outrageous songs about the accused parties.

How the Igloo is built

After the key block is inserted, the hut is sealed and a lamp is kindled. The heated air melts the face of the snow block, which seals and cements the ice further. This process is repeated for several weeks. This will eventually transform the building from a snow house to a house of ice from the inside out. Community dwelling of interlinked igloos can be created by building a series of interconnected domes.

Igloo cool

For a cooler, chic Igloo experience you can visit the Hotel Igloo Village in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. An igloo is the equivalent of a double or twin room sleeping two people, and the hotel has 5 igloos. A typical night at the igloo will cost around 500 DKK (a bargain at around $60), including arctic sleeping bags and breakfast. Candles in the igloo create an intimate atmosphere, and there’s even an ice bar carved out of ice, ice cubes not needed!

Around the resort, giant illuminated ice sculptures create the perfect aura to experience the beauty of the Northern lights.

By Susi O'Neill