Deep and heavy snow is indeed difficult for many animals, as it hinders movement, foraging (especially for birds like partridges and pheasants, which sink and cannot reach seeds), and finding shelter, and also creates icy crusts.

Deep and heavy snow presents significant challenges for many animals, hindering their movement, foraging (especially for birds like partridges and pheasants, which sink and cannot reach seeds), and sheltering. It also forms icy crusts (hardpack) that injure the legs of ungulates (moose, roe deer) and prevent foxes from accessing rodents beneath the snow. Conversely, predators gain an advantage.

Main difficulties:

For ungulates (moose, deer, roe deer): Deep snow, and especially hardpack (ice crust), causes them to sink, injures their legs with sharp edges, severely slows their movement, and makes them easy prey for wolves. Sleeping on the snow is also difficult for them.

For birds (grouse, partridges, hazel grouse): It is difficult for them to forage for food (seeds) from beneath loose snow, and the alternation of snow and thaws creates icy traps where they can perish.

For predators (foxes): Hardpack hinders hunting mice that hide beneath it, while wolves benefit as ungulates are weakened.

Human assistance:

In cases of heavy snowfall, humans assist birds by creating special shelter-feeders where grain is placed, allowing birds to find food and shelter.

Thus, heavy snow alters the balance of power in nature, creating problems for some and providing advantages for others.