Hmm. I will have to think about this topic and maybe I will go back to the bike store to see what they think, although I bet they will probably try to sell me another bike if they can, haha.
I live in Central Michigan, so we get a fair amount of snow, the majority of it from January-March. They're not as great about plowing as they should be here, so yes, sometimes the snow is loose and not packed down, and it's icy. I do have an indoor stationary bike for when it's an absolute no-go, but I'd like to get out there as much as I can.