Snow Arch

Step 6 Remove the supports

Once the arch is completed and you've trued it up and you've filled any cracks with additional snow, it's time to remove your supports. Start at the top, and remove the snow from under the keystone. Then move to either side and take a little more snow out. As you remove snow, see how your arch reacts. Does it sink, settle, and compress more? This might be because you supported it too much. Basically, dismantle your support system very slowly. This is where most arches fail, even stone ones.