DRIFT Snowmaking Additive

DRIFT is a surfactant snowmaking water additive, not a nucleator.
DRIFT breaks the surface tension of water after it leaves the nozzle.
DRIFT increases the surface area of each droplet, thus releasing the heat faster to allow more thorough freezing.
DRIFT comes in one-gallon bottles, four bottles per case -OR- 30-gallon drums.
DRIFT is injected at 3 ppm (3 to 1 million gallons of water).

Surfactants are used safely in agriculture worldwide to make water work better. Not all surfactants are the same, and only one, DRIFT, has benefits for snowmaking. DRIFT was initially tested in the late 1990s and early 2000s and brought to market. CHS Snowmakers began representing DRIFT a short time later. In October 2023, CHS Snowmakers acquired all rights to DRIFT.

During our years of observing the benefits of DRIFT in the field, we have seen advantages that far exceeded the original testing. We are committed to quantifying these observable benefits and providing you with the testing results. Click here to read our plans for testing and how you can help.

The original testing showed better snow quality, which increased flow in the snowgun, ultimately increasing production. Snowmakers noticed the snow quality improvements and minimal water leaching from the pile. Snowcat operators immediately saw better-quality snow that didn’t stick to the blade and easier grooming. One of our customers calls it “Blow and Go,” this ski area is often voted the best snow in the USA.

We have already begun our testing in the field. Below are microscopic photos of the snow pellets (like sleet), with DRIFT and without, where you can see that DRIFT has a smaller connection point between each snow pellet bond. This connection explains why the snow quality is better and easier to groom. There is more air between each ice pellet due to better freezing before the pellet lands. The non-DRIFT snow pellets appear to clump together with much stronger bonds that create ice.