Biomimetic superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating, a frontier in the field of surface engineering, have important engineering applications for anti-icing/snow in many areas such as electric power, and telecommunications. Based on "engineering applicability", domestic and foreign development process for preparing superhydrophobic surfaces by typical "multi-step" methods and their limitations are summarized, and the newly developed "one-step" method as well as its advantages and research progress is highlighted, and the engineering application performances of superhydrophobic coatings are discussed. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of domestic and foreign icing test methods under the natural cryogenic freezing environment are comparatively analyzed, and the latest developments on icing/de-icing behavior theory and applied research of superhydrophobic surfaces are discussed. In addition, new achievements of superhydrophobic coatings in the anti-icing engineering demonstration are briefly introduced, and the challenges as well as the future development are also presented. © 2016, Editorial Office of CHINA SURFACE ENGINEERING. All right reserved.