If we are taking a peaceful walk up the mountain, there is no problem in tasting a little of the unusual material that accumulates on both sides of the road. In this context, we can eat snow without problem, as long as it is virgin snow and has not been contaminated by the passage of animals or humans. The atmospheric pollutants that snow absorbs during its formation are no more dangerous than those of the air that we breathe normally. Of course, we should not overdo this practice either, since snow contains a certain number of bacteria that can trigger infections in our body.
If the question arises while skiing, the answer is yes. The cannons that produce artificial snow and that generally work in all ski resorts, add to the pumped water an agent that makes it easier for the water molecules to take the appropriate shape to form an ice crystal, but this, contrary to what we usually think, it is biodegradable and harmless. Artificial snow, although mechanically generated, is made up solely of water and air. As in the previous case, trying it (than not eating it) does not pose a health risk.
If, on the contrary, we find ourselves isolated in the high mountains and under extreme thermal conditions, we must abandon this idea altogether . Eating snow will not only not serve to hydrate us, since it will cause the opposite effect by suddenly increasing our body temperature, but its intake may also cause burns in the mouth and lips, which when infected will make it difficult to eat other foods and liquids. If we urgently need to drink water and we have ice and snow at our disposal, it is better to opt for the former, since it contains a higher proportion of water and not so much air. If we only find snow around us, we will have to melt it before taking it, keeping in mind that the more compact it is and the deeper it is, the more water it will generate. If we do not have the possibility of melting it in a container, we can obtain it by filling our canteen with snow and inserting it between two layers of clothing in order to heat it with our own body , taking care that it does not touch our skin as it could burn us and put us at risk again our survival.
So you’ve already seen; It is safe to eat snow or use it for drinking or even making ice cream, but there are some important exceptions. If the snow is white as a lily, you can safely ingest it, but if the snow is colored in any way, you will need to stop first, examine its color, and understand what it means. But don’t eat it. Also, it is important to know where you are collecting snow.
What snow should you avoid?
The yellow snow. This color is a huge warning sign that snow is contaminated, often with urine. Similarly, do not eat snow of other colors. Red or green colors can indicate the presence of algae, which may or may not be good for you. Don’t risk it. Other colors to avoid include black, brown, gray, and any snow that contains obvious particles of sand or grime.
