Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Mountain Tourism Section of Novosibirsk State University took part in the annual winter festival "Igloo-2026. Eskimo City," which took place in February on the beach "By the Sea of Ob." This year's event attracted a record number of participants—over 600 teams, including the NSU team.
Team leader and NSU graduate student Vsevolod Efremenko explained that participation in the festival has already become a tradition for the section:
"Firstly, because it's a wonderful way to relax outdoors, and we love that (even at -20°C). Secondly, you never know when you'll have to build an igloo. It's best not to lose that skill. Thirdly, it's already a tradition; it would be strange not to attend the festival when you participate every year," he explained.
According to Vsevolod, the 2026 festival featured particularly comfortable conditions and was likely the largest-scale event ever held:
"This year, the amount of snow allowed us to build an igloo right on the ice of the Ob Sea. We were also lucky with sunny, warm weather, so there were a lot of people, and they even built igloos in unmarked areas. The snow was perfect for igloo construction, both in terms of structure and thickness."
This year, the NSU team deliberately chose the format of a compact, yet high-quality snow house:
"This year we built a small igloo because we wanted to do everything properly and according to the rules. Next year we want to build a larger one, one that will accommodate overnight stays. I hope the weather will be just as favorable," Vsevolod Efremenko shared his plans.
He added that the team hopes to build a large igloo "for many people" if snow conditions are favorable again:
“Unfortunately, there are years when there is little of it and it is difficult to build something large,” he explained.
Team member Nika Kovaleva described the construction process in detail. First, the team determined the diameter of the future dwelling based on the height of the tallest member. Then, the children split into two groups: one cut snow bricks, the other erected the walls, fitting the blocks together. In the final stage, everyone worked together again, sealing cracks with snow debris and adding additional snow. The construction took about 3.5 hours.
According to Nika, the most difficult thing was to maintain the correct shape of the igloo – dome-shaped or spherical.
“We ended up with a shape that resembled an egg,” the participant said.
Despite this, the team successfully completed the project and was able to not only test the snow house's durability but also create a cozy atmosphere within it.
After completing the construction, the participants enjoyed tea and pancakes right inside the igloo, then went for a stroll through "Eskimo Town," checking out the other teams' homes. Nika notes that it was especially rewarding to see how creatively many of the participants decorated their snow homes:
"It was wonderful to see so many people interested in this event, and it's always a joy to see them put so much effort into decorating their igloos. The festival leaves a lasting impression, and even the fatigue from the strenuous physical work disappears."
The NSU Mountain Tourism Section plans to continue the tradition of participating in the Igloo Festival, combining practical skills development with active winter recreation and informal networking for students and alumni.
Material prepared by: Ekaterina Mukovozchik, NSU press service
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.