A method was developed for the determination of K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al and Fe in Arctic snow samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Shield torch system under cold plasma conditions was used to overcome the spectral interferences from the plasma gas on K-39 ((ArH)-Ar-38), Ca-40 (Ar-40) and Fe-56 ((ArO)-Ar-40-O-16). Detection limits (3 sigma) were 1, 1, 2, 7, 6 and 3 ng/l for Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca and Fe, respectively. Reproducibility of measurements was better than 2% relative standard deviation (n=10) for all the elements of interest at 1.0 mu g/l level. The sample consumption was ca. 60 mu l per assay due to the use of a microconcentric nebulizer. Several Arctic snow samples were analysed and the reliability of the proposed method was confirmed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.