SNOW + ICE SFX

Welcome to Snow Special Effects, a page on snow and ice effects for film and TV. We create realistic snow storms, blizzards, falling snow flurries to ground snow coverage, icicle, frost and ice effects.

Realistic Snow & Ice Effects for Film: Snowstorms, Blizzards & More
Realistic Snow & Ice Effects for TV & Film

Creating snow special effects is complicated; there are only so many snow products available, yet an infinitely wider variety of snow types to simulate. We use products supplied by Snow Business, as they lend excellent realism both on their own and when blended with real snow, and they have performed successfully in every application or environment so far.

Special Effects Snow Products: SnowCel, SnowEx, & Volcanic Ash Effects
SFX Snow Products & Ash Effects

We have a list of special effects snow products, with a little technique, and other ‘snow’ products used to create volcanic or fire ash special effects. Let us know if you are thinking about using a snow or ash effect, we’ll be happy to discuss our approach!

Ground Snow for Outdoor & Indoor Effects: From SnowCel to Polymer Snow
Ground Snow for Indoor & Outdoor SFX

For ground snow outdoors we have SnowCel paper snow, Snow Ex Foam snow, PowderFrost, Snow Membrane, Snow Blanket, Polymer Snow Ground, and for snow indoors SnowCel, Display Snow, Plastic Snow, Polymer Snow.

Falling Snow Special Effects: Dry Foam, SnowSticks & More
Falling Snow SFX: Foam, Sticks & More

For falling snow, we use dry foam snow, SnowSticks, paper snow, tissue snow, starch snow, and shredded polythene.

Frost & Ice Effects: PowderFrost, FrostSpray & Ice-Covered Scenes
Frost & Ice SFX for Film & TV

Light frost effects are created using PowderFrost, a heavy frost using SnowCel (half size). Frost on glass can be achieved by using FrostSpray from a can or traditionally, with a mix of beer and salts applied with a brush; both produce incredible-looking effects.

We use Magnesium Sulphate (Epson Salts) too and create Ice Frozen ponds, ice rivers, and ice caves using white waxes. In Arctic Effects and Blizzards, we use white waxes for frozen bodies and the set (and waxes can be applied safely to artists to ‘freeze’ them!).

Volcanic Ash Effects: BlackCel, Moondust & Ash for Extreme Environments
Volcanic Ash SFX: BlackCel & Moondust

For volcanic scenes, including ash ground cover, ash falls, and cinders, we use BlackCel, GreyCel, Moondust, Black Display Snow, and even shredded biodegradable products. Biodegradable materials were used extensively for ash effects in BBC’s Krakatoa: The Last Days, filmed in South Africa and Madagascar on protected reserves and within conservation areas.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Click to call and ask for Jason.