Radnut Admin Spring at a ski resort reveals a quiet melancholy. The chairlifts hang motionless, the slopes begin to bare their green underbellies, and winter’s grip loosens. For decades, this was simply the end of the season. But now, in an era of rising temperatures and unpredictable snowfall, spring reveals not just grass but innovation—rolled out across the slopes in sheets of gleaming fabric. Snow blankets, a technology born of necessity, are quietly transforming the way resorts manage their most precious resource.
This isn’t a flashy revolution. There are no giant machines spewing crystalline snowflakes or dazzling laser shows. It’s simple. Wrap the snow, save the season.
Ancient Origins to Modern Marvels
The idea of preserving snow isn’t new. Four thousand years ago in Mesopotamia, ice was buried under layers of straw to keep wine cool during scorching summers. Across the globe, Finnish villagers used sawdust and wood chips to insulate their ice stores, practices that lasted into the 20th century. Snow preservation, it turns out, is ancient wisdom with a modern twist.
That twist began in earnest in the early 2000s at Levi Ski Resort in Finland. Facing shorter winters and a growing demand for early openings, Levi’s team tried something radical: they covered their snow with insulating blankets. Made of extruded polystyrene, these blankets reflected sunlight, blocked heat, and kept the cold locked in. The results were stunning. By the time autumn arrived, they had enough snow stockpiled to kick off their season weeks ahead of schedule.
This practical innovation was quickly refined into a scalable solution by companies like Snow Secure. Their durable yet lightweight blankets became a key tool for resorts looking to extend their seasons. The technology, which originated in Europe, is now gaining interest in North America, as more ski areas look for ways to adapt to climate change.
The Science Behind the Sheets
Snow blankets work by taking the heat out of the equation—literally. The extruded polystyrene material acts as a barrier, reflecting solar radiation while insulating against heat transfer from the air and ground. Beneath the blankets, temperatures remain steady, often below freezing, even during heatwaves.
The results are striking. Protected snow piles lose less than 30% of their volume over an entire summer. For resorts like Levi, this means they can stockpile enough snow in April to reliably open racecourses, terrain parks, or full slopes in October.
In Europe, ski resorts have embraced this technology to combat melt in critical areas—halfpipes, race starts, and sunny lift zones. Although newer to the game, resorts in Colorado and California are exploring similar strategies as they contend with shrinking winters and rising costs.
The Environmental Equation
At first glance, wrapping snow in synthetic material might seem like an ecological contradiction. But compared to the alternative—energy-intensive snowmaking—snow blankets are remarkably efficient.
Artificial snowmaking guzzles resources, with a single snow cannon consuming up to 100 gallons of water per minute. By preserving natural snow, resorts can reduce their dependence on snowmaking. At Levi Ski Resort, areas protected by blankets have cut snowmaking needs by as much as 50%, saving both water and energy.
Still, the blankets aren’t without challenges. Most are made of extruded polystyrene, a non-biodegradable material. Companies like Snow Secure are exploring recyclable options, and some innovators are testing plant-based alternatives. For resorts, the goal is clear: make these blankets not only practical but sustainable.
Future Horizons
The success of snow blankets has opened doors to broader applications. In Switzerland and Austria, researchers are testing similar coverings on glaciers, aiming to slow their retreat. By shielding sections of ice from the sun, these experiments could help protect vital water sources and ecosystems.
Cities are also exploring how this technology could be used for urban recreation. Imagine sledding hills and skating rinks that stay snowy and frozen through erratic warm spells. Beyond recreation, snow preservation blankets could play a role in water management, helping to store ice and snow for drinking water reservoirs in alpine regions.
For the ski industry, the next steps include refining the materials to make them more effective and sustainable. Advances in technology could integrate sensors that monitor snow conditions or pair with automated snowmaking systems to create smarter, more adaptive solutions.
A Fight Worth Having
Snow blankets won’t stop climate change, nor will they single-handedly save winter. But they buy time—time to adapt, innovate, and rethink how we protect the mountains we love.
The next time you see a mountain wrapped in silver fabric, know that beneath that unassuming layer lies a lifeline. For ski resorts, it’s a season saved. For skiers and riders, it’s a promise that winter still has some fight left. For all of us, it’s a reminder of what’s at stake—and what’s worth saving.
