This review (1995-2009) examines the development of snow mapping over time, and explores the application of modern technology to the measurement of snow distribution and characterization. Some advantages and limitations of current snow mapping
methods and techniques are discussed, as are their potential to facilitate future snow mapping. It is demonstrated that advances in remote sensing technology and ground-based measurement devices have upgraded snow mapping to a fully digital process during
recent decades, and it is anticipated that three-dimensional snow mapping will facilitate a fundamental step toward a new generation of snow observation techniques in the coming years.