Snow spirits

Snow Spirits are major characters in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, although this is only confirmed for the DS Version's Adventure Tour. In Story Mode, Bowser and Dr. Eggman are working together to melt all the snow in the world by capturing all Snow Spirits, and Mario, Sonic and company must work together to stop them. On the way you will meet several characters and they will follow you on your journey as soon as you defeat their set challenges. The snow spirits can be saved when you beat bosses set challenges.

It is probable that the Snow Spirits are the controllers, rulers, and maybe even creators of Snow.

Trivia

 * The Snow Spirits have a strong resemblance to the Star Spirits in name, appearance, and role in the story.
 * Each of the snow spirits names is a pun of the town they live in.