Typically, we get more wind and ice than snow compared to the rest of the country due to the lakes. But, I've experienced a Yukon Winter before
People never seem to take me seriously when I say I prefer rear-drive and snow tires over FWD or 4WD with all-seasons (since that's what everyone tends to use around here). Mostly it's because I find RWD actually gets around better than FWD, due to the ability to steer and accelerate simultaneously rather than sequentially. It also helps that the front wheels compact the snow before the drive wheels have to deal with it. Although 4WD systems don't really have those drawbacks, all-season tires are bad enough that a rear-drive with good tires will still show up most of the lumbering SUVs on the road. Though I have to admit, the drifting is excellent. Rear drive requires a bit more concentration than FWD, which I suspect is why most people dislike it, but it also behaves very predictably.
I dont know, I cant speak for toronto, but I lived in alberta for 2 winters now. and after getting 95.5cm(about 3 feet) of snow in nova scotia in 8 hours, and haveing the streets cleared to bare dry pavement in the entire city of halifax, about two days later... all I can say is that winters in alberta are tame. long, yes, but tame. ok, so thats an extreme example, but it was one hell of a storm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Juan here are some good pics http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/whutt/storm_2004.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/groupofzero/46931355/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/willmatheson/1702125039/ and newfoundland gets it even worse. check the pic 1/3 down this page http://users.eastlink.ca/~dryfly/emails.htm
RWD Cheesecake! Having some awesome winter tires and posi-trac is awesome. Nothing beats that. If you know what you are doing you have full control. 95.5 inches = 3 feet? We got snow in May one year. Big storm with rain, hail, snow, lightning at the same time.
You're in Canada. Now the thing about Canada, one of its defining characteristics, a distinct feature that, geographically speaking, makes it Canada, is that it has snow.
I wouldn't say its a defining characteristic. The temp hit 40C in the summer. and its pretty rare for vancouver to see snow last a day in the winter. I can recount numerous times growing up seeing places in the states that had snow while our ground was bare and dry.
lol, just out of interest, what is your take on the Canadian characters designed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for South Park? Do you find them offensive? Or are they just so random that you take them as a light hearted joke?
... terrance and phillips? from the movie? I laughed. Most canadians (that I know) have a pretty good sense of humor. I was more confused in that movie when they started saying that we say "about" as "a boot". I dont talk like that. no one I know does.
yeah, the winters here have been pathetic lately. the way it used to be was that the east would get a couple huge dumps of snow infrequently and the west would get small snowfalls very frequently. now it seems we hardly ever get snow. i actually have no idea what toronto winters are like, but i like to laugh at toronto because of the people on the weather network. when they're reading the 'weather news', they'll go from a story about some extreme weather somewhere to a story about a heavy frost in toronto and read them like they have the same severity. ninja edit: oh, and i love south park. the canada on strike episode was one of my favorite episodes last season.
yeah, got to love it when people aren't prepared. speaking of which I am buying winter tires this weekend.
I've had enough rain to drown a large batch of rabid racoons, but no snow. I actually can't remember the last time I saw snow in this country. Best snow I've experienced was Detroit 95/96. UK snow is more.. A light dusting of white. Which rapidly turns to brown and gray.
