Melting firn ice, Switzerland. Firn ice is a type of ice left over from previous years that has reformed into a denser form at a stage between snow and glacial ice. Some of the firn ice is melting in the summer weather, but some will survive to be replenished in the winter. This firn ice is on a debris field on the shores of Lake Lago del Zott. Photographed near Robiei, Val Bavona, in the Basodino mountain range, Maggia Valley, Ticino, Switzerland.