Snow Inducer
Snomax®

A granular snow inducer made from a naturally derived protein.
Make more snow at warmer temperatures, with less water and energy.

What is Snomax

What is Snomax®?

Snomax is a snow inducer based on proteins from a naturally occurring microbe. These proteins act as additional ice nuclei, improving the crystallization and nucleation of water.

The proteins are taken from the outer cell wall of the microbe. After fermentation, they are harvested, concentrated, freeze-dried, packaged and sterilized. The result is a concentrated, purified and sterile protein granule that dissolves easily in water.

With Snomax, crystallization starts closer to the snow gun nozzle, so almost all of the water supplied turns into snow. More snow can be produced at warmer temperatures with less water and energy. The snowmaking system becomes far more efficient, and snow quality stays consistent even when temperatures swing sharply.

100,000gal

Water treated per bag
(approx. 380,000 L)

31°F

Works as warm as -0.6°C
Others: 20°F (-6.5°C)

40%

More snow

Up to 90%

More snow in the
daytime field test

Granular snow inducer

Granular Snow Inducer

Snomax increases snow production and reduces water and energy consumption. It is a naturally derived substance with no negative effects on the environment.

It’s the activity that counts, not the weight

To guarantee the best product quality, the ice nucleating activity (the protein activity) is checked three times during production. Because Snomax is a natural product, its activity can vary. What matters is not the weight of a bag but the activity inside it, so the bag size is adjusted to match. This ensures every bag always delivers the right level of ice nucleating activity for optimal snowmaking.

Snomax Effects

Faster, more snow that lasts longer

Snomax is mixed into the snow water by an injection system. Each bag contains enough activity for around 100,000 gallons (380,000 liters) of water. Thanks to the Snomax proteins, every water droplet finds a nucleus, so more water becomes snow and less evaporates.

Snomax has the highest nucleation temperature in the industry. While other snow inducers work only down to 20°F (-6.5°C), Snomax works at temperatures as warm as 31°F (-0.6°C) and at higher humidity.

40% more snow

Numerous tests have reached a clear conclusion. In comparison testing, Snomax produced more snow from each gallon of water. Snomax also allows a higher water flow rate, so up to 40% more snow can be made overall.

Snow that lasts longer

Snow made with Snomax lasts longer, reducing the need for top-up snow. Its crystals are smaller and more tightly packed, so it melts more slowly under the same conditions.

Water containing Snomax freezes faster and more evenly. The result is 40% more snow and better snow quality: snow that lasts longer and is easier to groom. That means positive results for your budget and the environment.

Injection System

Fully Automatic Injection System

For ease of use, Snomax offers a fully automatic injection system that produces a perfect, easy mixture of the product.
From small family resorts to major ski areas, it fits every snowmaking operation.

A metering pump adds Snomax to the snow water, and a centrifugal pump ensures uniform and constant mixing of the Snomax solution.
Installation and maintenance are simple.

INJECTION SYSTEM

Fully Automatic Injection System

A metering pump and a centrifugal pump add Snomax evenly to the snow water.

PUMP UNIT

P200 Pump Unit

In addition to the injection systems, there is the P200 pump unit. It is highly efficient and is used as a bypass for existing injection pumps. The unit consists of a basket filter, a P200 injector and a Vacon frequency converter for easy pump adjustment. At just 30 × 30 in (76.2 × 76.2 cm), the P200 is easy to transport, install and maintain.

Additional Equipment

Optimize the injection rate with a flowmeter

To further improve the efficiency of the injection system and optimize the Snomax injection rate, a flowmeter can be added to the snowmaking system. Snomax uses the BE6300 series transit-time clamp-on flowmeter, which is simple and easy to install. The flowmeter signal is sent directly to the injection system, which automatically adjusts the injection rate to the water flow.

How Snomax Is Injected

Snomax is mixed into the snow water in the pump room (indoor) and delivered to the snow guns on the slope (outdoor).

Main PumpSupplies snow water to the pipeline
FlowmeterMeasures the water flow and sends a signal
Snomax Injection SystemAutomatically injects Snomax solution to match the flow
Snow GunMakes snow from water containing Snomax

Snomax Environment

Snowmaking that saves
water and energy

Environmental requirements are of special concern to Snomax. Its positive effects on snow production mean savings of water and energy, both precious resources. Snomax has sponsored numerous studies around the world, making it one of the most intensively investigated snowmaking products in existence.

Test centers in the following countries, all known for their environmental awareness, have approved the sale of Snomax. Independent institutes have concluded that Snomax has no negative effects on the environment.

CanadaNorwayJapanSwedenFinlandItalyFranceSwitzerlandAustraliaNewZealand

Snomax Study

Proven at a real ski resort

An independent institute placed two snow guns side by side at a working ski resort and directly compared snowmaking with and without Snomax.

ResearchBrendle Group Independent institute
LocationKirkwood Mountain ResortCalifornia, USA
DateDecember 2013
Duration5 hrs day · 6 hrs night
01

Side-by-side test

Two snow guns were set up under the same conditions. Only one was supplied with water containing Snomax.

02

Hourly measurements

Water input, energy use and snow quantity were recorded every hour, along with water pressure, flow, water temperature, wet-bulb temperature and air temperature.

01

Field evaluation

An 18 × 36 m area was compacted with each type of snow to assess throw range and distribution, and the snowmaking crew gave their feedback.

Results

Quantity of Snow

In both tests, the snow gun using Snomax made more snow, and the difference was even greater during the warmer daytime test.

Daytime test

5 hrs · 17.4°F (-8°C) · 77% RH
Without Snomax74.3m³
With Snomax140m³
Approx. 88% more

Night-time test

6 hrs · 3.4°F (-15.8°C) · 72% RH
Without Snomax152m³
With Snomax198m³
Approx. 30% more
Potential Savings
+3.5%Water use

Only 3.5% more water, yet up to 90% more snow. Far more snow from the same water.

SameEnergy input

More snow from the same energy, so snow targets are reached sooner and energy use drops..

Up to 50%Cost savings

Based on pump and compressor energy and water use only (800 snowmaking hours assumed), excluding reduced service and maintenance costs.

EasierGrooming

The snow operations team found Snomax snow easier to work with.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Up to 90% more snow with just 3.5% more water and the same energy.

The test under real conditions at Kirkwood Mountain Resort confirmed the positive effect of Snomax in many respects. The difference is especially pronounced at warmer temperatures and high humidity. Overall, less water and less energy are needed to make the same amount of snow, and less input is required from the snow operations team.

This lowers overall operating costs and, most importantly, benefits the environment. Using less energy and water brings lasting environmental advantages and contributes to the success of winter sports as a whole.

※ Test results are based on the study conducted by Brendle Group at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, USA, in December 2013. Actual results may vary depending on temperature, humidity and equipment on site.

Contact Us About Snomax

SNOWTECH, the official Snomax distributor in Korea, will help you choose the right product and injection system for your site.

ContactE. snowtech@snowtech.co.kr