Winter XL Basing Tufts: How to Base Snow-Themed Armies
By Frontline Gaming | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Guias Práticos
Use Gamers Grass Winter XL tufts to give snow-themed armies realistic frozen grass. Follow these steps for a clean, durable base that reads well on the tabletop.
Quick answer
Base your snow army in layers: texture the base, paint it in cold tones, add snow effects, then place Winter XL tufts last so they stay tall and pale. Seal the tufts lightly to survive handling.
Why Winter XL tufts suit snow bases better than generic grass
Winter XL tufts are very pale and tall, with a blend of light colours and some remnants of dark greens and browns. That mix mimics frozen tall grasses and herbs from very cold climates, so they add height and colour variation without looking like summer meadow grass.
Because they are extra large, a single tuft can anchor a 25mm to 32mm base. Use fewer tufts than you would with small grass, and let the pale colour do the work.
When to skip Winter XL and use a different approach
Winter XL tufts are best for armies that read as frozen wilderness, such as ice-themed Space Marines or snow-covered Orks. If your army is set in deep snow with no exposed grass, tufts may look out of place. In that case, use snow texture paste alone or combine with small rocks.
Also consider scale: on very small miniatures, an extra-large tuft can dominate the base. Trim the tuft shorter with hobby scissors if you need a subtler effect.
Step-by-step: basing snow armies with Winter XL tufts
- Prepare and texture the base: Clean the base, then apply a thin layer of texture paste or fine sand mixed with PVA glue. Avoid covering the slot where the model’s tab fits. Common mistake: applying texture too thick around the feet, which hides detail and makes the model sit unevenly.
- Paint the ground in cold tones: Once dry, paint the texture with a dark blue-grey or brown-grey, then drybrush with a pale grey or off-white. This creates a cold, frozen ground effect. Checkpoint: keep the ground darker than the tufts so the pale Winter XL grass stands out.
- Add snow effects before tufts: Apply snow texture paste or a mix of bicarbonate of soda and PVA to the base, leaving clear spots where you plan to plant tufts. Let it dry completely. Common mistake: adding tufts first and then smothering them with snow paste, which flattens the fibres.
- Peel and place Winter XL tufts: Peel a tuft from the sheet with tweezers. Dip the base of the tuft in a tiny dot of PVA glue and press it into the base. Use one or two tufts per 25–32mm base, varying position and angle. Checkpoint: place tufts near the edge or beside rocks for a natural look, not dead centre.
- Seal the tufts lightly: Once the glue is dry, spray a light coat of matte varnish over the base, holding the can 20–30cm away. Avoid soaking the tufts. Common mistake: heavy varnish makes the pale fibres clump and lose their height.
Product facts
- Gamers Grass: Winter XL: Each sheet contains around 36 different shaped extra large tufts that peel off individually. You get enough varied tufts to base a full army without repeating the same shape on every model.
Gamers Grass: Winter XL
