A woman from Windsor built an igloo in her backyard using almost 300 ice blocks she made herself. CTV
In the midst of the recent polar vortex, Heather Teahan, a Windsor resident, has turned her backyard into a local winter wonderland by creating an igloo made from nearly 300 homemade ice blocks. The idea for the project came to Teahan when temperatures dipped significantly, offering her the perfect opportunity to build something unique.
The project began on a Monday when Teahan decided to freeze water in disposable loaf trays, creating the 267 ice bricks needed for her igloo. For four days, she focused on making these ice blocks, placing them carefully on her back deck. After the blocks were frozen, it was time to start assembling the structure. The actual construction of the igloo took seven hours, beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday and finishing just before midnight.
A woman from Windsor built an igloo in her backyard using almost 300 ice blocks she made herself. CTV
Teahan wasn't alone in the endeavor. Her family, friends, and even some neighbors pitched in to help build the igloo. The teamwork extended beyond her immediate circle when a door-to-door sales representative from Cogeco stopped by. In a pleasant twist, the sales rep ended up assisting in assembling some of the ice blocks, making the project a true community effort.
Once completed, the igloo became more than just a project—it became an attraction. The structure quickly caught the attention of neighbors and even people from across the city. Teahan shared how people began pulling up in their cars to admire the igloo. Some were invited inside, where her daughter and friends had thoughtfully added a chair and a table, giving the inside of the igloo a cozy touch.
However, the journey to building the igloo was not without its challenges. Teahan mentioned that the most difficult part of the process was constructing the roof and ensuring that the igloo's structure remained stable. "The angle at the top was the hardest," she explained, "and getting the right mixture of snow and slush to make everything stick properly." In fact, building the roof required extra effort—
Teahan had to walk three houses down to collect snow from their front lawns, and even sent kids to the park to gather additional snow for the project.
A woman from Windsor constructed an igloo in her yard using almost 300 ice blocks that she created herself. CTV
Once the igloo was complete, Teahan decided to add lights to it. Every night, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the igloo lights up, casting a soft glow that has become a spectacle for passersby. "It really illuminates," Teahan said, noting that the lights add a magical touch to the structure, making it even more captivating.
Looking ahead, Teahan is excited about the possibility of making this a regular winter tradition. "Earlier, I was looking online to see what else I could build with ice," she revealed, hinting at plans to possibly construct an ice castle next year. As for how long the igloo will last, she said, “Until it melts,” leaving the life span of her creation in the hands of Mother Nature.
