Psychiatric morbidity in the Arctic has not been extensively studied. Seasonal variations in climate, light, & darkness are unique for these areas & impose special kinds of strains on the population. Three case histories focussing on snow-wandering as a parasuicidal act are presented. One of them bears some resemblance to the Arctic hysteria described among Eskimos. Reasons for choosing snow-wandering as an alternative to other kinds of suicide are discussed & a hypothesis is suggested. The psychological & physiological factors as explanations for post snow-wandering amnesia are discussed. (8 refs.)