A hive bottom entrance to a bee is very strange. In nature a bee prefers the entrance on top of their hive and preferably high up off the ground out of harms way. I can see that changing from bottom to top entrances on your hives would startle the bees to begin with, but after a while they will become accustomed to the top entrance. Im not sure having a top & bottom entrance is a good idea as it makes it difficult for the bees to protect both entrances. I would just use the top entrance, especially if your hives  are in 1 metre high snow. The only other way I can see is to use bottom entrance and raise the hives 1 metre off the ground but this would make them difficult to inspect. Raising a hive may be needed for all hives that are under the snow level(this is where the top entrance would be a great help). I am really interested to hear how you go with using top entrances on your hives so pleased keep us informed on the list. Thanks

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