I know for many years people have kept bees indoors over winter. So I got to thinking, what if you put several hives together, covered them with a tarp, cover that with shaken straw, then let snow do the rest. Would this spell suicide or be an amazing insulator? I dont think air would be a problem because im not thinking of wrapping them tightly but more of a tent over the bee hives. I think if you did this in my area about December first, then removed the mess about march 10th they would stay below freezing yet remain above zero at all times. They would be without flight for just over 3 months. No different then a bee shed.
I might try this with a group of four.