During the "pony arc" they will arrive at the end of winter and they end up assisting in Winter Wrap Up as a way to help warm up with the inhabitants of Ponyville. Yes, they will be using vehicles and heavy equipment but no magic.
*Imagines Lt. Martin and Rainbow dispersing clouds by flying through them and shattering them with their sonic booms. And Zenyatta hovertanks and Akishar dune buggies hauling away snow, hauling nesting material and pulling snow plows.*
The major xenophobia will be by from other locations, this unfortunately causes relations to get pretty ugly... a major problem when the other locations are what's vital to guarding the Wonderbolts AND taking back control of the commandeered H.A.R.M.O.N.Y. satellite.