Experts Offer Tips for Safely Enjoying Winter Treats Made with Snow

Eating snow cones or snow cream can be a winter delight, if done carefully

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:47am

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As a recent winter storm recedes, experts are offering advice on how to safely enjoy winter treats made with fresh snow, such as snow cones and snow cream. While snow can contain contaminants, there are ways to minimize risks and find joy in the simple pleasures of playing in the snow.

Why it matters

Enjoying the outdoors and connecting with nature is important, especially for children, but experts caution that consuming snow requires some precautions to avoid potential health risks from pollutants and contaminants. Finding the right balance between safety and allowing people, especially kids, to experience the wonder of fresh snow is the goal.

The details

Experts say that while snow can pick up pollutants and contaminants as it falls, the risk can be minimized by waiting until a storm is well underway before collecting snow, avoiding snow near industrial areas, and steering clear of snow that has been plowed and mixed with road salt and debris. They also advise against eating snow to hydrate, as the energy required to melt it in your mouth can actually lower your core body temperature and increase the risk of hypothermia.

  • The first wave of snow during a storm holds the most particulate matter.
  • The recent winter storm brought deep snow and bitter cold to a 1,300-mile stretch of the United States.

The players

Dr. Sarah Crockett

A doctor who specializes in emergency and wilderness medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Steven Fassnacht

A professor of snow hydrology at Colorado State University who has studied snow for over 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“To stop and just be present and want to catch a snowflake on your tongue, or scoop up some fresh, white, untouched snow that's collected during something as exciting as a snowstorm, I think that there's space in our world to enjoy that.”

— Dr. Sarah Crockett, Doctor

“Snow can be eaten, but you want to think about the trajectory. Where did that snow come from?”

— Steven Fassnacht, Professor of Snow Hydrology

What’s next

Experts recommend that people continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of playing in the snow, but to be mindful of where the snow is coming from and to take precautions like waiting until a storm is well underway before collecting it.

The takeaway

While eating snow can be a delightful winter treat, it's important to be aware of potential contaminants and take steps to minimize risks. By finding the right balance between safety and allowing people to connect with nature, experts hope to encourage the wonder and joy of fresh snow without unnecessary fear.