10 icy and impenetrable snow forts

By Sean Fallon
Nerd Approved?

Wintry weather hit parts of the U.S. hard this week, but you can make the best of it by building an awesome snow fort. Use the following examples of icy architecture to inspire your designs, or maybe even start your own ice hotel in the front yard and start charging rent.?

Hotel Kakslauttanen

Igloo Village
Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland offers visitors the unique opportunity to stay in a igloo built from thermal glass that keeps the temperature inside toasty (even when its 30 degrees below zero outside) while providing crystal-clear views of the northern lights and millions of stars. Plus you'll be treated to luxury amenities each night like a hot sauna and the ominous sounding "ice hole."?? Hotel Kakslauttanen?

West Hartford snow fort
Only fools would try to lay siege to the Warshauer homestead during the winter months as it is protected by a nearly impenetrable snow fort. And if that wasn't enough, the fort manned by fearsome children who know no mercy. YouTube

SnowCastle of Kemi
The SnowCastle of Kemi in Finland is described as "the biggest snow fort in the world" with a structure that has, in years past, covered as much as 215,000 square feet of space with towers that have risen as high as 65 feet. The castle is rebuilt each year in Kemi, and includes an elaborate hotel, restaurant and chapel loaded with sculptures and cool lighting effects. And yes, you can actually get married here if your wife is cool with walking down the aisle in a puffer jacket. ??SnowCastle of Kemi

Ontario snow castle
This castle was built in Ontario, Canada several years ago and it features a giant wall and climb-able tower built alongside a busy intersection. I assume it was a nice, safe perch to watch car accidents and defend against a horde of angry neighbors.?? YouTube

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Iglu-Dorf

Iglu-Dorf
Another commercial igloo village choice can be found spread across seven locations in the Alps and the Pyrenees. There are several different igloo rooms to choose from, including standard igloos, family igloos, heated igloos and several romantic options. Apparently, there's also plenty of mulled wine and fondue to go around. There's also numerous activities to choose from, including a visit to the Jacuzzi. Needless to say, tight shorts and Spandex are not recommended for guys anywhere near this facility.?? Iglu-Dorf

That's Nerdalicious

Impromptu snow fort
If your snow fort was created against your will, there are plenty of ways to make the best of a bad situation ? as the image above illustrates. ??That's Nerdalicious

Icehotel

Icehotel
The Icehotel in Jukkasj?rvi, Sweden is the original and most widely recognized ice hotel destination. This year marks its 22nd season of operation with a new structure that spans over 59,000 square feet. However, this summer will also mark the first year that a smaller, warm-weather Icehotel experience will be available inside a storage hall in Jukkasj?rvi with an Icebar, Icehotel and a place for guests to try ice sculpting. The sun shines for 100 days and nights during this period, so you can sleep in a freezer when you get tired and go rafting at midnight. Your internal clock will never be so messed up. ??Icehotel

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Reddit

Backyard fort
My wife kicked me out of the house. The joke is on her, though, because I built an awesome snow fort in the backyard. I even have cable in here. ??Reddit

Ice house
I built snow forts and iced them down when I was a kid. The forts I built weren't anything nearly as elaborate as the one in this video with slides and a tower, but they did hang around in the backyard for months. Eventually, I used them to make snowballs late in the season. Neighborhood kids didn't expect to be pelted with a snowball in April. ??YouTube

Nerd Approved

Inflatable snow fort
If you didn't get enough snow this week to build a proper snow fort, you can do the next best thing and set up an inflatable version. The bottom can be packed with snow for stability and it can be brought inside for indoor battles against your enemies. That couch fort across the living room must be destroyed! Price not available ? Walmart

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Source: http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/18/10185188-10-icy-and-impenetrable-snow-forts

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