An interesting observation I make every year at this time is how the artificial snow manages to hang on after being exposed to warm temperatures while all the natural snow is long gone. No doubt the additives that are added to the water supply create a completely different structure of snow with regard to temperature and density. Found some info on one of the additives listed below under the trade name ?
SNOWMAX?
Snomax Snow Inducer is an ice-nucleating protein derived from the naturally occurring bacteria, Pseudomonas syringae (31a). P-syringae (31a) is found readily in nature, from grass to trees to vegetable crops , and even in the air we breathe.
Snomax is grown in sterilized fermentation equipment. After fermentation, Snomax is pelletized, freeze-dried, and packaged. Finally, the product is irradiated, and shipped to our customers.
Snomax is mixed in water to form a concentrate that is metered into the snowmaking water supply. Every water droplet thrown from the snowgun is then seeded with the Snomax nucleator. This is important because the key to efficient snowmaking is to freeze as many droplets as possible before they hit the ground. If the droplets do not contain nucleators, a great many of them may not freeze before they hit the ground.
Another feature of Snomax is that it functions as a high temperature nucleator, which simply means that it is capable of initiating the freezing process at a higher temperature. With Snomax, ice crystals will be made at 27°F whereas most natural water additives are not effective at temperatures above 15-20°F.
Water with Snomax will freeze faster, more completely, and over a wider range of conditions.
SNOWMAX?
Snomax Snow Inducer is an ice-nucleating protein derived from the naturally occurring bacteria, Pseudomonas syringae (31a). P-syringae (31a) is found readily in nature, from grass to trees to vegetable crops , and even in the air we breathe.
Snomax is grown in sterilized fermentation equipment. After fermentation, Snomax is pelletized, freeze-dried, and packaged. Finally, the product is irradiated, and shipped to our customers.
Snomax is mixed in water to form a concentrate that is metered into the snowmaking water supply. Every water droplet thrown from the snowgun is then seeded with the Snomax nucleator. This is important because the key to efficient snowmaking is to freeze as many droplets as possible before they hit the ground. If the droplets do not contain nucleators, a great many of them may not freeze before they hit the ground.
Another feature of Snomax is that it functions as a high temperature nucleator, which simply means that it is capable of initiating the freezing process at a higher temperature. With Snomax, ice crystals will be made at 27°F whereas most natural water additives are not effective at temperatures above 15-20°F.
Water with Snomax will freeze faster, more completely, and over a wider range of conditions.