The reprsentation of snow and snow processes used in Land-Surface Schemes (LSSs) is analyzed through the PILPS Phase 2(d) simulations. The collection of participating LSSs are able to capture the general patterns of accumulation and ablation on an interannual basis. However, systematic differences between the LSSs exist. The large scatter in ablation rates is investigated through an inter-model analysis of the availability and distribution of energy to the snowpack. The functionality and interaction of albedo and snow cover fraction, especially at shallow snow depths, show the greatest influence to the the model scatter of energy received and utilized by the snowpack. Melting rates are also found to be dependent upon the particular LSSs' representation and caclulation of snow temperature. Sublimation is also responsible for a notable portion of the model scatter and can also largely explain the inter-model variation of the sensitivity to longwave radiative forcing