Snowflake is a data analytics platform that separates storage from compute resources, allowing for efficient processing and manipulation of large datasets. It uses virtual warehouses to execute analytical queries, which are separate from traditional databases that hold the stored data. Snowflake's warehouses are scalable and can be automatically created behind the scenes using credits, while databases are static repositories holding the data. The platform offers features such as micro-partitioning, automatic clustering, Continuous Data Protection (CDP) with Time Travel and Fail-safe, and allows for querying, cloning, and restoring historical data. Snowflake's unique approach to databases sets it apart from other data warehousing solutions, providing advantages in terms of scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.