Snow

I've been using the standard Christmas village cotton snow for over 11 years with no issues.  White felt could work too.

Scenic Express has it.  Not cheap though.

 

http://www.sceneryexpress.com/...o.asp?number=NH08750

 

.....

Dennis

I used baking powder. Don

My Christmas layout is similar, green carpet on the top but want it to have a "Christmas feel". I went to my local garden center which also specializes in Dept. 56 products and picked up some "snow" to sprinkle around the layout. Looked good and I re-did it every few days when I cleaned the layout to keep dog hair, toys, and related dog material to a minimum. 

The snow, while a bit messy, worked well and I plan to use it this year as well. For some reason, my dachshund/beagle mix kept licking it off the layout. Must have a good taste to it. 

Baking soda.  Costco, and possibly other wholesale clubs, carries large bags for cheap.  Then just vacuum it up at the end of the season.  If you use a small clean vacuum, you can reuse the soda next year.  I sprinkle it on locomotives(where it can't get inside) and it stays put all Winter.

I'm going to start with cotton batting and see how it looks.  I'll also be using baking soda as others have suggested above.

Fleece fabric from Joann's has worked for me.  By the yard, cheap, and washable too.  Does not "pill".  Very soft, very white.  Works well, I think.

Be very careful where you use baking soda.  Left on metal surfaces it will start to corrode the metal.  Just what you need to get into your engine or axel points on your rolling stock.