Winter in Ukraine is not only a time of holidays and traditions, but also a period that stimulates the creation of unique inventions and solutions aimed at adapting to the cold climate. From energy efficiency developments to innovative winter gear, ideas born in winter find their way into intellectual property.
Ukrainian inventors are actively working to create products and technologies that make winter life more comfortable and safe. These developments include energy-saving heating systems, improved materials for winter clothing, special snow removal equipment, and much more. All this demonstrates that winter is not only a challenge but also a source of inspiration for Ukrainian innovators.
Artificial snow
The term “snow drought” is increasingly common in the meteorological lexicon, as global warming is causing an acute shortage of snow in the world. More specifically, scientists have been recording a decrease in snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere since the early 1980s, and Europe is the part of the world where snow is gradually disappearing.
People have learned to compensate for the natural shortage by making artificial snow. But it’s not that simple. For snow cannons at ski resorts or sports tracks to work properly, a number of conditions are required: the right temperature and humidity, and a large amount of process water. All of this makes artificial snow a rather expensive pleasure.
Therefore, Ukrainians have made a number of inventions to produce a better and cheaper product. For example, in 2009, a patent was registered in Ukraine for an invention of a method for producing artificial snow and a plant for its implementation. The process involves freezing moisture by cooling it with a heat exchange device. It differs from other methods in that the process is carried out in two stages:
– At the first stage, a closed thermally insulated space or a thermally insulated room and air are cooled;
– At the second stage, water is injected into the cooled space and the air is forcedly ventilated while the surface of the heat exchanger is thawed.
However, making snow is not enough. There must be ways to store the snow properly, otherwise all this beauty will quickly melt and turn into puddles. Ukrainians have demonstrated their ingenuity in this matter as well. In 2019, Ukraine registered a patent for a utility model for a method of storing natural ice or snow in storage facilities.
This method involves shading the snow with opaque fences. Photovoltaic panels are used as fences on structures that do not impede access to ice or snow. Thus, snow and ice do not require too large areas and expensive structures to protect them from melting.
And, of course, snow needs to be carefully protected directly on the ski slopes. To this end, a patent for a utility model for a method of maintaining a low-temperature regime to preserve snow cover on a ski slope was registered in Ukraine in 2010.
This method involves cooling the skiing area, and differs from other methods in that it cools the soil of the slope 
under the snow cover. This is done with the help of special pumps that are placed at different soil levels.
Skiing
Some of the world’s most popular skis are made in Ukraine. Namely, at the Mukachevo Tisa Ski Factory, which produces skis under the Fischer, Tysa/Tisa and other brands. In the best years, Ukraine supplied up to 50% of the EU’s ski needs, surpassing even China in terms of supply. These skis are chosen by the world’s most successful athletes. For example, our freestyle skier and Olympic champion Oleksandr Abramenko won his most high-profile victories with these skis.
But the industry is not standing still. Ukrainian inventors continue to work on developing new models. In particular, 
we have a patent for the invention of skis whose design allows you to change the stiffness, for example, by adapting them to the parameters of the track, the nature of the snow cover, temperature or individual characteristics of the skier.
Ukrainian innovators make sure that winter sports are accessible not only to professional athletes but also to amateurs, including people with disabilities. For example, a patent has been granted for a utility model of an adaptive chair that is attached to snow skis and includes a support and seat belts.
Snowboard and sled
Ukrainian inventors have filed a patent for a utility model of a biplane snowboard that contains two composite boards. The upper one has attachment points for snowboarder’s shoes. The cross-section of the boards contains aerodynamic profiles, reinforcements and toes to make the structure stiff and strong.
This increases the maneuverability of the snowboard due to better control when turning, and also increases reliability due to the absence 
of moving parts. In addition, the range of jumps is increased due to the generation of lift.
“Winter” intellectual property is a vivid example of how Ukrainian inventors and authors adapt to the challenges of the cold season by creating unique solutions. Energy-efficient technologies, innovative winter gear, clothing materials and other developments not only contribute to improving living conditions, but also demonstrate Ukraine’s potential in implementing practical ideas.
Such inventions are becoming an important contribution to the national economy and international competitiveness, and their registration and protection as intellectual property objects ensure worldwide recognition and commercialization.
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