Igloo City Made of Snow: Sun Above and Ice Below
Every February people turn snow into architecture on the solid ice of the Ob Sea. It’s a traditional winter festival in Novosibirsk where teams compete to build igloos — and this year, they went big. 542 teams with 3,850 participants raised 324 finished snow huts with elegant domes, forming long streets and cozy neighborhoods.
Start of Construction
A sunny winter Saturday morning sets a positive vibe at the Boomerang Beach
This is where the annual “Eskimo City” igloo‑building festival kicks off
The organizers and performers wish good luck to all the snow‑hut architects
The first step is to mark the diameter of the future structure
Eager for an exciting day, many are quick to share their good mood
The layout of the neighborhoods is planned in advance, with neat streets and telling names
Even beginners keep a fast pace when building
It’s best to cut the snow blocks using a template and fine‑tune them on site
Loading and transporting the blocks is a serious task that needs preparation
For several days, thousands of square meters of snow were compacted especially for the festival
The resulting “snow concrete” doesn’t crumble and holds its shape well
Plus, it looks great in photos!
Here’s another igloo at the “pit” stage — the work is going smoothly
It’s truly amazing how snow of the right density combines lightness and strength
If we come back to this team in four hours, we’ll be attending a housewarming party
Building the Eskimo city is a wonderful way to spend a weekend with friends
Determination and skills honed back in the Soviet era can work wonders
These lovely ladies will cross our path again later
The blocks must fit tightly together: the judges will deduct points for every gap
But why think about technique all the time when one just wants to enjoy the process?
Then again, one can also find joy in a meticulous approach
Just an hour after the start, the huts are gradually “sprouting” like mushrooms after rain
There’s no fatigue yet, and the competition pushes everyone to build faster and taller
Family teams are quite common here
Let’s watch how the labor is divided: some carry the “building materials”…
…while others focus on actually raising the walls
Meanwhile, the little ones are busy creating their own snow installations
A properly built igloo can support around 400 kg of weight
The teams that finish their huts first manage it in just an hour and a half
An entrance tunnel must be dug so the judge can get inside to take measurements
First Igloos
Here’s another almost‑finished Eskimo hut
Just a few final touches remain
What a great idea to take a tea break now that the shelter from the cold is ready!
The nearing deadline gives everyone an extra boost of energy and enthusiasm
Capping the dome is a tricky and crucial stage: the shape of the blocks gets more complex
And it becomes extremely important to ensure they fit tightly together
At first glance, it looks like all teams are doing the same things
But that’s not true: each team has its own secrets for working together
Some even manage to stage playful “saw duels” when disagreements pop up :)
The festival’s story began in 2008 as a bold experiment by a group of like‑minded people
Back then, outdoor‑tourism enthusiasts tried their hand at igloo building for the first time
Since 2016, the Eskimo City has been built as a full‑fledged competition
Now, thousands of people come to the Ob Sea on the designated day
They bring tools, picnic food, and a great mood
This is how the festival became a highlight of February and a signature winter event for Novosibirsk
But back to our observations: another hut is being covered with snow to hide any gaps
The tea break is a vital ritual — practically no team skips it
Participating organizations are allowed to represent themselves with flags and banners
In just over an hour, the structure built by the women’s team we’ve already met has grown noticeably
All this time, they’ve been working methodically and in perfect sync
The temperature around −10°C is ideal for making the snow blocks “stick” together
If it’s not a hands‑on masterclass in every stage of construction, what else is it?
Finally, the team’s lead builder finds a moment to smile for the annoying photographer
Photos like these will definitely brighten up any family album
After two and a half hours, more and more participants are moving into the dome‑capping stage
Teams that are falling behind can try their luck in the costume category
But as we can see, hundreds of builders — including newcomers — are fully capable of finishing an igloo
Decorating
Once the main structure is ready, it’s time to work on the exterior details
For example, you can design the entrance area if you have at least half an hour to spare
The huts standing side by side are similar yet each has its own distinct look
One thing is clear: if the snow house can shelter you from the weather, the goal is achieved
Every completed building is a reason to be proud
And any igloo decorated with patterns or other ornaments deserves genuine admiration
All day long, visitors and participants can enjoy active winter recreation
Some prefer to have fun on their own
But the chance to try new winter sports is also quite appealing
Judging
When the snow house looks good and gleams in the sun, it’s time to call the judges!
They’ll measure the igloo’s diameter and height and record the construction time
By the way, having an entrance large enough for a judge to get inside is one of the success criteria
Is there anyone to share the excitement of this triumphant building experiment with?
Who else can commend the bright yet sturdy dome?
The organizers are the ones truly able to appreciate all the teams’ efforts
Letting the judge inside, the builders wait hopefully for promising scores and honest praise
And after the measurements, they simply enjoy the new shared creative experience
After all, bringing families and communities together is one of the festival’s most important goals
Plus, building igloos can even strengthen romantic relationships!
After four hours, the Eskimo City as a whole starts to take on its finished look
Its creators have put together a real winter celebration for everyone who came to the Ob Sea
Eskimo City
A walk along the neat streets promises to be an interesting experience
Each team has put its own unique spin on the design
One will want to linger and study the details in almost every spot
Without planning it, different teams picked up the Valentine’s Day theme
Many people are having a meal beside their “new builds”…
…and sharing their warmest feelings with each other — and, of course, with the festival itself
In some places, the scenery looks downright otherworldly
Only the occasional snowmobile reminds you that this is still part of Earth’s civilization
But once they disappear from view, the huts feel like something from another planet again
Isn’t it time to check in on our old friends?
The friends managed to build a remarkably elegant igloo
They’ll have to take turns “living” in it, but the joy this day brought is priceless
Here’s another cozy little house, complete with a small “yard” of its own
The housewarming will be celebrated with dumplings — and by the way, it can be really warm inside
The cheerful owner of this tiny “studio,” just an hour’s drive from the subway, invites everyone to visit
The official construction time is over: the judges are starting to tally the results
It’s time to head toward the stage, admiring the panoramas of this unusual city along the way
As we can see, many builders have already left their creations behind
But for some, it’s not just about finishing — it’s also about leaving symbolic messages
That’s how all sorts of inscriptions appear, carved right from the snow…
…and pictograms that anyone, anywhere in the world, can understand
Concert and Awards
The concert lasts two hours — this is when the judges tally the teams’ results
Artists from the City Directorate of Creative Programs make the most of the last rays of sun
It’s easy and rewarding to perform for such an engaged audience
While listening to the songs, visitors can meet the animals of the Far North right on the square
For example, huskies simply love speed…
…and they’re happy to give rides to everyone who wants one
New arrivals are welcomed by girls in stylized costumes
A heated outdoor plunge pool helps visitors shake off the day’s fatigue
The sun is about to set, but the vivid impressions will stay with people for a long time
A major part of the program is given to the “Druzhina” folk‑music ensemble
The audience loves the band’s repertoire, and they sing along with the vocalists from the heart…
…never forgetting to reward them with enthusiastic applause
Each new number invites a creative dialogue with the audience
The lively tunes make one’s feet itch to dance
That’s exactly how artistic director Nikolay Gnuchev planned the performance
This isn’t the first time “Druzhina” has been invited to the Eskimo City festival
Founded in 2008, the ensemble features many young professionals
They’ve definitely made the evening warm and unforgettable
The organizers need just about ten more minutes to finalize the diplomas
Natalia Basova, an Honored Worker of the All‑Russian Musical Society, takes the stage
A spontaneous choreographic improvisation to live vocals wraps up the concert program
At last, the long‑awaited awards find their happy recipients
Teams with different numbers of members win in various categories
Finally all the tallest, largest, and otherwise “most‑most” igloos have been recognized with prizes
Epilogue
Now we’ll turn back time and revisit the sunny snow city once more
From a high vantage point, let’s take in the neat rows of huts…
…and remember the sheer enthusiasm with which thousands of people worked on them
The tongue‑in‑cheek name “Snowdrift Builders, Inc.” could suit any team here today
The festival sparks interest in outdoor sports tourism and an active lifestyle
Let’s wish the organizers continued success and a future expansion to the federal level!
