Toko Digital snow thermometer

The most important types of snow and their characteristics:

Fresh snow:

At low temperatures, the tips and edges of fresh snow generate a very high level of friction on the surface of the base. At temperatures around 0 degrees, the crystals quickly lose their shape; these semi-degraded snow crystals lead to a large contact surface between ski and snow and thus also increase the braking friction.

Old snow:

Approximately 48 hours after the snowfall, we speak of old snow - a distinction is made between large and small crystals. The small crystals have a higher density and therefore a larger contact surface with higher friction. In general, old snow crystals are rounder than new snow crystals and therefore less abrasive.

Wet snow:

If snow crystals are heated to 0 degrees, they begin to melt. The resulting water - but also from precipitation - forms a larger contact surface between the skis and snow and thus increases friction (suction effect).

Artificial snow:

In contrast to natural snow, the crystals of artificial snow freeze from the outside inwards. Often not all the water in fresh snow crystals has frozen yet; however, when it has finished freezing, crystals break apart, forming sharp edges. As the crystals are approx. 10 times smaller than natural snow crystals, a high density is achieved on the slopes in a short time. However, high density also means a large contact surface - and in combination with sharp crystal shapes, high friction.