1. Create a NURBS surface and deform it a bit to get a nice-looking bumpy terrain.
Create a camera
2. Open the Hypershader. Create a Blinn node and edit it as shown below
I highlighted in red the attributes that need to be edited. Don’t forget the slight blueish Ambience, because snow is always a bit blue when in sunlight. Also add a light bump (on the example, I use the Turbulence texture, available in the highend3d.com library. Rename the blinn1 as snowBlinn.
3. Next, create a 2D Fractal texture and edit it as follows:
This texture (fractal1) will simulate the ice crystals that glitter when lit. I use the 2D Fractal node cause it has a Time attribute that allows to phase it. You must also check the Animated box. The phase depends on the value of the Time attribute. This attribute will be later linked to the camera’s position using an expression. Also check the Invert box.
4. Remap the fractal1 node (click the Insert button in the Color Remap field), and edit the Ramp as shown:

Download pdf Maya Tutorials - Realistic Snow