Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide The Atlas Hold 4: Winterhold Hold

[4.28] Snow Veil Sanctum

Related Quests

Thieves Guild Quest: Speaking With Silence
Thieves Guild Radiant Quest: Larceny Targets*

Recommended Level: 6

Dungeon: Draugr Crypt

Draugr

Dangers

Bone Alarm Trap
Bear Traps
Dart Trap (wall chain)
Oil Lamp Traps
Oil Lamp Traps (pedestal pressure plate)
Oil Lamp Traps (trip wires)
Oil Pool Traps
Swinging Wall Trap (wall chain)

Collectibles

Larceny Target: Model Ship [3/7]
Skill Book [Light Armor]: Ice and Chitin
Skill Book [Sneak]: Three Thieves [E1/10]

Special Objects

Word Wall: Disarm [3/3]
Area Is Locked (quest required)
Chest(s)
Potions
Loose gear

This frigid temple is found within Winterhold’s eastern barrens, just inland from the coastline. A collection of standing stones call attention to a round stone depression dug into the earth. Descend the stairs to discover the door that leads into the Snow Veil Catacombs. You can’t enter unless you’re participating in Thieves Guild Quest: Speaking With Silence. Then Mercer Frey opens the door for you.

Exit to Skyrim

Entry Chamber

Slay the Draugr that ambush you in this small chamber, then loot the central chest and pull a wall chain to raise a portcullis and access some potions.

Chest

Swinging Wall Trap Chamber

Pull a wall chain to open this chamber’s portcullis, and immediately run toward the portcullis after pulling the chain; otherwise you’ll soon be struck by a lethal trap that triggers after a slight delay.

Danger! Swinging Wall Trap (wall chain)

Burial Passages

Sneak through these twisting passages to avoid rousing Draugr. Unlock an Adept-level iron door along the way to access a small alcove with valuable potions. Safely deactivate a few bear traps around the next corner.

Danger! Bear Traps
Potions
Loose gear

Draugr Halls

Continue to sneak through these passages, or risk waking several more Draugr. Should the undead awaken, look to knock down hanging lamps and ignite the oily floor. Do this easily by triggering either of the two trip wires stretched across the corridor. Loot a chest here before pulling a wall chain to raise a portcullis and advance.

Danger! Oil Lamp Traps (tripwires), Oil Pool Trap
Chest

Treasure Nook

Unlock an iron door to access this small storage room. If you like, fire ranged attacks through the barred window to thin out the Draugr in [7].

Area Is Locked (Apprentice)
Chest

Hanging Rattle Chamber

Avoid the hanging rattles in this chamber—they can alert nearby undead. Claim a valuable Skill Book and nab some potions before pulling another wall chain to advance.

Danger! Bone Alarm Trap
Skill Book [Sneak]: Three Thieves [E1/10]
Potions

Draugr Den

A hoard of fearsome undead lurk in this large cavern. Let Mercer Frey take the lead in battle. Scale the south wooden stairs and take the southeast passage to [8] before heading up the west stone stairs to reach an elevated walkway that leads to the Snow Veil Sanctum.

Model Ship Chamber

Take a southwest passage from [7] to reach this oily overlook, where a unique Model Ship sits atop a pedestal. Stand back and knock down the hanging lamps from a safe range to burn up the oil before taking the Model Ship; otherwise the lamps will fall when you take the item. Delvin will be interested in buying this unique item when you return to the Thieves Guild.

Danger! Oil Lamp Traps (pedestal pressure plate), Oil Pool Trap
Larceny Target: Model Ship [3/7]
Potions
Loose gear

Door to Snow Veil Sanctum

Door to Snow Veil Catacombs

Sanctum Entry Passage

Sneak through the Sanctum’s first twisting passage, or risk stirring a legion of bloodthirsty undead. Leap over low-hanging rattles to reach a pair of chests as you go. When you reach the far portcullis, pull the nearby wall chain to raise it, then take cover from a slew of arrows that fly out from the passage beyond. This is a result of the clay jars stacked against the portcullis tumbling onto a nearby pressure plate. Quickly dart into the passage after the arrows stop flying and pull another wall chain to close the portcullis again, thereby cutting off any Draugr that might be in pursuit.

Danger! Bone Alarm Trap, Dart Trap (pressure plate)
Chest
Chest (Locked: Adept)

Word Wall Room

Opening the door that leads into this sizable chamber knocks over several jars, rousing a slew of vicious Draugr. Inspect a book on a stone table to increase your Light Armor skill and follow the sound of chanting to locate a Word Wall that grants a new Word of Power. Scale the central stairs to raid a giant chest before pulling the wall chain near the east portcullis and advancing.

Skill Book [Light Armor]: Ice and Chitin
Word Wall: Disarm [3/3]
Chest

Puzzle Door Passage

Don’t worry that you haven’t found the claw that unlocks the Nordic Puzzle Door in this hall—Mercer Frey kindly opens the door for you!

Inner Sanctum

The plot thickens when you enter this room, but we won’t reveal any story-based spoilers here. When you’re ready, proceed through the far door to quickly exit out to Skyrim.