I see snow every winter, this one being no exception. (the colder than normal temps are the exception this year, so far..) Montreal has a snow removal budget of 159.4 Million $CAD.. and that's just the Montreal island. Paving & other assorted construction companies get over the winter hump by becoming the snow clearing crews
Snow tires are mandatory after Dec 15th (until March 15th). Not 'all seasons' but proper snow tires (M+S rated, with a snowflake). You're supposed to have a snow brush, shovel, and an extra pair of mitts in your car, along with all the other usual 'emergency items, and also to have a minimum of a 1/2 tank at all times. Jumper cables are also an absolute must.
But every winter I / we are surprised that people forget how to drive in the winter. And, since snow tires are mandatory, they will drive on them all year round, so end up in the winter with winter tires, but bald winter tires..
And, (what really amazes me) despite the same parking lot,with it's nicely painted lines, once the snow covers them, no one seems to know how to park. Wehn you see the lines you can park between them. But when covered, people start leaving 3 or more feet between them & the person next to them. (Don't they see that in sthe summer, the car beside them is only 12" - 18" away? Why, all of a sudden, do you seem to think leaving 36" or more is OK?!
Also, with anti lock brakes, 4-whee drive / AWD, it being an SUV, and having lived here a few years, do they need to drive so friggin' slow?! like, at any moment, they'll wildly spin out of control and slam into a pole, a car, a tree, a .. and burst into flames..
After the first good snow fall, I usually try to get into a closed parking lot, and throw my car around a bit, to get used to driving in wintery / slippery conditions. I know my car grabs a bit & pulls left on ice.. I know to brake hard, then release to have control. (don't lock up the wheels!!) I know to moderate the gas / use 2nd (standard) to get traction.. And I have a lot of fun with my handbrake!! And again, I'm amazed many don't try to push themselves, their car a bit to see what happens, what they can do, how to react..
As for you guys down south, who only see snow in pictures, on mountain tops, in a daiquiri (OK, that's 'slush', not 'snow'..) I totally sympathize. it's new, it's different, it can be scary!