Snow cannons at work: Artificial snow for winter sports

Snow cannons are widely used around the world where natural snow is insufficient, for the likes of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics back in 2022.

China saw its warmest year on record in 2022 and as a result experienced drought conditions. Despite some natural snow at high altitudes, widespread use of artificial snow was needed for the winter Olympic sports.

High-pressure conditions, with clear and cold nights, are ideal for the production of artificial snow which is created by firing small water droplets into the air where they freeze and fall to the ground.

Additional nucleators are often added to the water, which helps ice crystals form faster.

Artificial snow lasts longer than the real thing but provides a heavier feel for skiers due to the higher water content.

The use of snow cannons is increasingly popular, with more than 60% of the world’s ski resorts now using them to supplement a decreasing amount of natural snowfall.

Using artificial snow is nothing new for the Winter Olympics, however. The first time it was used was in 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, USA, when a dry winter produced less snow than normal.

In addition to the ongoing drought, climate change has influenced the need for artificial snow on the slopes.

To make and provide artificial snow, officials used water from nearby reservoirs known as Foyukou and Baihepu.