Snow farming is the practice of storing surplus snow from the previous winter in compact depots and conserving it through the summer months, so it is available to build the base layer for the following season. Naue GlacierProtect - an insulating, highly reflective nonwoven made from certified biodegradable* Secutex® Green (EN 13432) - covers the depot to slow melting, helping resorts plan early-season opening dates and reduce reliance on weather-dependent snowmaking.
Naue GlacierProtect is deployed wherever reliable snow, an early season start and resource-conserving alpine operations matter.
Conserve snow and protect ice on summer-skiing glaciers.
Support early-season opening and race-slope preparation.
Provide reliable tracks for early cross-country and biathlon events.
Store snow for fixed-date competitions regardless of conditions.
Cover and preserve large summer snow stockpiles efficiently.
At the end of winter, surplus snow is pushed together into a compact depot on a shaded area. Naue GlacierProtect is rolled out over the depot and the overlapping sheets are sewn together on-site with biodegradable* yarn to form a continuous connected cover. Ballast-filled bags secure the perimeter against wind; once the nonwoven freezes onto the snow surface, the risk of wind uplift is further reduced.
Practical benefits:
Snow farming follows three stages: build a compact snow depot at the end of winter, cover it with GlacierProtect through the summer, then redeploy the conserved snow to open the new season. Reflective and insulating in one material, GlacierProtect does the work of preserving the depot, using a certified biodegradable* material suited to sensitive alpine environments.
Two mechanisms slow melting. First, the light nonwoven reflects around 80% of incoming light and 75% of solar energy, so far less radiation is absorbed as heat. Second, the thickness of the material provides thermal insulation, buffering the snow from warm air. In a comparable glacier-protection trial in the Austrian Alps, GlacierProtect reduced melting by roughly four metres over three summer months in 2022.
Key principle: Reflect the light, insulate the snow - one biodegradable* layer preserves the depot through summer.
GlacierProtect is made entirely from Secutex® Green, a mechanically bonded nonwoven produced from renewable raw materials. It is certified biodegradable* under EN 13432 and carries TÜV OK compost (HOME and INDUSTRIAL) and OK biodegradable (WATER, SOIL and MARINE) certification. Fibre abrasion or residue that freezes into the snow can be metabolised by naturally occurring microorganisms; the rate of biodegradation depends on temperature, moisture and microbial activity. At end of life the nonwoven can be composted, thermally recycled or covered with soil, converting completely to biomass, CO2 and water.
| Scenario | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Summer snow depot | GlacierProtect rolled and sewn over a compacted depot; ballast-secured perimeter. |
| Glacier surface protection | GlacierProtect laid on sensitive ice areas to delay melt and protect lift foundations set in ice. |
| High wind exposure | Additional ballast bags plus full-seam sewing; |
| Reuse across seasons | Inspect reflectivity and soiling; reuse where performance is retained, replace when impaired. |
Reliable season start
Conserve snow through summer to support reliable early-season opening dates, largely independent of early-winter weather.
Lower snowmaking costs
Reduce energy- and water-intensive snowmaking at season start by reusing stored snow.
Certified biodegradable* material
Secutex® Green is certified biodegradable* (EN 13432, TÜV Austria) and designed to degrade into biomass, CO2 and water.
Multi-season reuse
Low biological activity in these applications allows repeated use, improving cost efficiency.
Simple, robust installation
Rolled out and sewn on-site; ballast bags and freeze-on adhesion resist wind uplift.
Snow farming is the practice of storing surplus snow from the previous winter in a compact depot and conserving it through the summer under an insulating cover. In autumn the preserved snow is spread to form the base layer for the new season, supplementing snowmaking and securing early opening dates.
Naue GlacierProtect is an insulating, highly reflective nonwoven made from biodegradable* Secutex® Green. Laid over a snow depot or glacier surface, it reflects sunlight and insulates the snow, sharply reducing summer melt; the certified biodegradable* material is suited to sensitive alpine regions.
By reflecting around 80% of light and 75% of solar energy and adding thermal insulation, GlacierProtect substantially reduces melt. In a comparable glacier trial in the Austrian Alps it reduced melting by about four metres over three summer months in 2022; depot savings depend on site and temperature.
Conventional covers can place a lasting burden on sensitive alpine environments and meltwater. GlacierProtect is made from renewable raw materials, is certified biodegradable* (EN 13432, TÜV OK compost and OK biodegradable) and can be metabolised by naturally occurring microorganisms at a rate that depends on site conditions.
The nonwoven is air-permeable which reduces wind suction. Overlapping sheets are sewn together on-site with biodegradable* yarn, and ballast-filled bags secure the perimeter. Once the fabric freezes onto the snow, the risk of wind uplift is reduced further.
Because biological activity is low in snow farming and glacier applications, repeated use can generally be assumed. When soiling reduces reflectivity too far, the nonwoven should be replaced; used material can be composted, thermally recycled or covered with soil.
GlacierProtect has a standard mass per unit area of 500 g/m² and a roll width of 4 metres. Other weights and widths are available on request. Contact Naue for project-specific recommendations.
It is rolled out over the snow surface and adjacent sheets are sewn together on-site using machines suitable for thick nonwovens, including battery-powered units. The sewing thread is made from the same renewable raw material as the fibres and is certified biodegradable.
Yes. The same nonwoven protects sensitive glacier areas from solar radiation, reducing ice melt, and can shield the founding points of cable-car and lift supports set in ice - extending the service life of that infrastructure.
GlacierProtect conforms to EN 13432 for compostability and biodegradability and holds TÜV OK compost (HOME and INDUSTRIAL) and OK biodegradable (WATER, SOIL and MARINE) certification. It is also UV-stable for outdoor use in high-mountain conditions.
