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For some, there's something magical about the time when the trees are bare, the chill sets in, and the first snowflakes begin to fall. For others, those cold flakes bring memories of slipping on icy surfaces, shoveling driveways, and the slushy gray mess that covers the streets for weeks. (If you've never witnessed snow, just picture it.)
No matter how you feel about it, though, the ways to use snow and ice are limited only by our creativity. Here are 10 of the most astonishing and entertaining ways to make the most of it.
10. Snow Can Be Converted Into Drinking Water
If you ever find yourself in urgent need of drinking water or simply want to have some fun, snow on the ground can be a real lifesaver. But turning snow into drinkable water isn't as simple as just letting it melt. There are a few essential steps you need to follow.
The snow you collect must be 'clean.' Typically, this means snow that is pure white and free of twigs or branches. After collecting the snow, you'll need to melt it by combining it with purified water in a pot. Then, use a strainer to remove any harmful toxins from the water.
Once strained, you need to boil the water again. This method also works if you are camping. You can boil the water using a pan, an open flame (such as a campfire), and even a piece of clothing to filter out any remaining impurities.
However, remember that whatever method you use to make drinking water from snow, it’s crucial to store it in a place where it won’t refreeze. If you don’t have access to heat, keeping it close to your body is a good option.
9. Ice Can Be Used to Start a Fire
When it comes to ice (or water) and fire, it’s true that opposites attract. To create fire from ice, the ice serves as a natural magnifying glass. Imagine being a child again, trying to burn ants on the sidewalk using a magnifying glass. While it may sound amusing, this method works, and the process looks quite similar.
You'll need a thin, transparent piece of ice—something you might find on top of frozen water. Hold this piece of ice in such a way that the Sun's rays are refracted through it, directing the light where you want to start your fire. By focusing the light onto sticks or dry grass, you can ignite the fire.
One important factor to consider is the curvature of the ice lens. This curvature enhances the refraction of sunlight, increasing its magnification, which in turn improves your chances of starting a fire.
When a child uses a magnifying glass, it's made of glass, which has a refraction index of 1.5–1.9. Ice, on the other hand, has a refraction index of 1.3. To compensate for the difference, the curved lens helps to magnify the Sun’s rays, giving you the same result (fire) as using glass.
8. Ice and Snow Can Be Used as Shelter
Even today, igloos are a form of shelter built from ice. The Inuit people have crafted these structures for thousands of years. Igloos are temporary homes made from ice and snow, providing shelter during hunting trips or other expeditions.
Constructing an igloo involves gathering snow and digging through it to create enough space to fit inside. Building these shelters requires teamwork, as the process demands a great deal of effort from the Inuit community.
If you're seeking a faster way to find shelter in snowy conditions, there are other methods to stay warm besides building an igloo. In the Arctic, wolves have been observed creating shelters from snow. They dig into the snow just enough to create a space where they can fit, making sure it's not too spacious. If the tunnel is too large, it will become too cold, which could be fatal for the wolf.
The key to survival with this snow shelter is to keep it small enough that only your body fits inside. This will help trap your body heat and prevent the cold air from reaching you inside the tunnel.
7. Ice and Snow Can Water Your Plants With Less Effort and Mess
Plants require both water and oxygen to thrive. Overwatering is a common cause of plant death, as excessive water prevents the plant from absorbing enough oxygen, leading to its demise. Conversely, underwatering can also result in plant death.
For a plant to survive, it needs a balance of oxygen and water. The temperature of the water is also a crucial factor when watering plants. If the water is too hot or too cold, it could shock the plant and potentially kill it. So, how can ice and snow help in watering a plant?
Unlike cold water, ice and snow melt gradually into the soil, which prevents the plant from experiencing a sudden shock. This slower melting process ensures the plant receives the necessary water without the risk of overwatering.
To water your plants using snow or ice, create a small divot in the soil by pressing your fingers into it. Place the ice in these divots. Typically, plants require 1–3 ice cubes to absorb enough water.
6. Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can actually be made from ice! This annual spectacle takes place at the Ice Music Festival in Norway, where sculptors carve instruments from solid ice, ranging from ice trumpets to ice guitars.
As you might expect, these ice instruments produce sounds quite different from traditional ones. Their tones also evolve as the instruments begin to melt, offering a one-of-a-kind experience at every festival performance.
At this festival, Norwegian folk songs are typically performed. To complement the traditional music and ice instruments, the festival sets are inspired by the Norwegian landscape. These sets are constructed from snow and ice and can be truly massive. Some are formed into towering walls of ice and snow, while others are large tunnels made from the same materials. Icicles are also incorporated into the decorations of the sets.
5. Air Conditioning with Ice
For over a decade, a company named Ice Energy has been utilizing ice to help reduce air conditioning costs for some residents across the United States. They created an innovative air conditioning system that produces ice and uses it to cool buildings.
The system works by using a specific part of the air conditioning unit to make ice during off-peak hours, typically at night when the unit faces less strain. When the air conditioner is in use during peak hours, the stored ice is then released to provide cooling for the building.
This method reduces electricity costs and air pollution. These “ice” units utilize a different type of battery that costs less than half of the lithium batteries found in conventional air conditioners. Since most of the emissions from these systems come from ice, their environmental impact is significantly lower compared to regular air conditioners.
4. Removing Gum
Gum can quickly go from fun to frustrating when it gets stuck to something. It's always amusing to see the kid who has to cut a piece of hair out because gum got tangled in it, or the person on the sidewalk tirelessly scraping their shoe to remove gum.
If you ever find yourself in one of these sticky situations, there’s a simple solution you can try. Ice or snow can help remove gum from clothes, carpets, or even hair. This works similarly to wetting gum with water. When gum gets wet, it hardens, but ice and snow take it a step further.
They can actually freeze the gum if left on long enough. Just one ice cube should do the trick. Once frozen, carefully work to remove the gum without damaging your clothing, pulling out too much hair, or tearing up the carpet.
3. Dry Ice
Dry ice is quite different from the regular ice we encounter outdoors. While traditional ice is made from frozen water, dry ice is made from frozen carbon dioxide. Unlike regular ice, dry ice doesn’t transition into a liquid. Instead, it changes directly from solid to gas, which is why it appears as if smoke is rising when it warms up.
Dry ice can be used in a variety of ways, including in science experiments, to keep food cool, and even to remove dents or hail damage from your car. When dry ice is placed on metal surfaces, it causes the metal to contract. After applying dry ice several times to a dent, the dent may shrink or even disappear.
2. Hotels Made Of Ice
In Sweden, there exists an actual hotel partially constructed from ice, aptly named the Ice Hotel. The structure is built using steel and, in certain areas, a blend of snow and ice.
The hotel features both warm and cold rooms. The cold rooms, of course, are partially made from snow and ice, with ice covering the walls, ceiling, and floors. Even the furniture in these rooms is crafted from ice and snow.
How does one survive a night in an ice-filled room? The beds are equipped with real mattresses and plenty of blankets to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. For those who wish to experience the cold rooms without staying overnight, you can opt to sleep in one of the hotel’s warm rooms or take a tour of the icy spaces.
1. Snow Cones
Snow cones have been enjoyed for centuries, with their origins rooted in snow. The idea of eating snow as a treat first came from the Romans. They would bring snow down from the mountains into the cities below. Using wooden tools, they would carve up the snow and top it with syrup. This Roman invention has evolved into the snow cones we enjoy today.
In 1919, the first snow cone machine was introduced. It could shave and crush ice, allowing snow cones to be served to customers much quicker. These machines soon appeared at fairs, festivals, and even in local shops. While the treat has evolved since its inception, snow remains the essential ingredient that makes snow cones possible today.
