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Unique-Public-8594 t1_j5wgrzj wrote

Welcome, newbie.

“Snowing like crazy” is what we say.

Though you didn’t ask, Here are my best winter tips:

Snow can happen anytime from about December 1st through May 1st, typically with melting in between. Dates and accumulation can vary widely year to year. A dusting to 3” is fairly common. Three feet happens very rarely but can happen.

Don’t put salt on your driveway, it’s hard on your pup’s paws and kills plants.

Snow tires are much safer. Not everyone can afford them.

Shovel out your dryer vent, your oil fill pipe, your mail box, and a path for your meter (if it’s not automated).

Never sit in your car with the engine on and windows up in snow if your exhaust pipe is not shoveled out.

Best to shovel snow before it freezes. You will shovel your driveway then a plow will come along and create a barrier. You get to shovel that too. There are times when shoveling is a waste of time because it will melt soon.

Get a scraper to get ice off your car window. If your car is not garaged, flip your windshield wipers up in the air when snow/ice are in the forecast (or all the time), that will prevent them from getting frozen in place.

It’s dangerous to drive around with snow/ice on the roof, hood, trunk of your car.

Give snow plows plenty of space.

Have a power outage kit with a battery radio, some candles and matches, etc. you can find a full list online. If the power has been out for a days, and you can afford it, just go check-in to a hotel.

Have some lock de-icer available.

Get some high-quality hot chocolate, (maybe chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, or coffee liqueur to add to it), Netflix, a cozy blanket, Heat Trapper socks, Yak Trax, water-proof boots, thermal-lined gloves, and a sled.

Find a winter sport you love.

Take some photos.

Don’t eat dirty snow. Melt some in a glass, you’ll see why.

When you drive, leave more space between you and the car in front of you. Don’t freak out. You’ll be ok. Don’t be the fastest car on the road nor the slowest. Side roads tend to be slipperier than highways. Bridges freeze first. Black ice is no joke but it’s rare. You really can’t do a whole lot to avoid it except stay home if possible if the weather forecasters are predicting it. Use your brakes a little less. The accelerator (gently) can help grip the road.

Find yourself a scarf, hat, stones, carrot and sticks and make a snow man, catch a snowflake in your mouth, have a snow ball fight, make snow angels. Find a sleigh ride. Look on line for photos of individual snow flakes (close-up), each one is unique.

Keep kitty litter in your trunk. You can use that for traction if you get stuck.

Go easy on shoveling. A lot more heart attacks during snow storms from over-exertion.

Ask around where the best sledding hill is and go. Doesn’t matter what age you are. This is a must.

Welcome to winter. Real winter.

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nowfromhell OP t1_j5whtig wrote

Thanks, there was a lot in there I would never have considered.

We definitely feel like the newbies now. Winter took it easy on us the first month or two, but it's making up for it now.

We've been sledding a couple times now, and it really is part of why we wanted to live here. The kids love it, and so do we.

Everyone I know is asking how we're dealing with the weather, and it's not easy, but it's beautiful. Like. Jaw dropping, awe-inspiring, magical, I've started running out of adjectives. Don't even get me started on the fall colors.

Vermont is a literal and figurative breath of fresh air.

Once we get the winter thing figured all the way, this place is a postcard.

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12_Angry_Wombats t1_j5wx5oc wrote

Welcome!! Happy to hear your already enjoying winter with sledding and getting outside with the kids. It really is the best thing to do during the winter months (when safe to do so!)

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quartadecima t1_j608d8k wrote

Try cross country skiing. VERY low barrier to entry, cheaper than downhill, you don’t need to drive to a mountain to do it, et cetera.

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somedudevt t1_j5wucii wrote

This person must live in Burlington. I’d like to NEK this and says snow can happen any time from 9/1-6/15 each year. Accumulating snow can happen any time from 9/15-6/1 or so.

Growing up high elevation in the kingdom, we would have our first frost each year in late august and never made it to 10/1 without the first snowfall of the year. Usually the snow was there to stay by youth weekend in early November. I remember trick or treating in snow storms 25 years ago. Snow fell in May each year though June only 1-2 times.

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MisterOrganDoner t1_j5wltjh wrote

You're the real MVP. I will second the meter comment: most utilities would love to get you a smart meter for two reasons alone: it's time and risk for a human to check it, mid-winter. If you know hold outs who are worried the government is spying on have silly reasons: smack them upside the head!

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bonanzapineapple t1_j5wyc49 wrote

Haha, the past week I've been keeping my windshield wipers up constantly. It's been a while since I've done that!

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