any more info I'd be interested in hearing peoples experiences with these.

By the time you have bought 4 new wheels and snow tyres its rather expensive.

I've not used them, but it's obvious they're epic. Problem is, you need consistent snow to drive on. Any patches of tarmac knackers them.

So, a few posts back saw me heading to the pub (wife did drive me!!!). Had an hour or so in the wife's company and then she took the boys home. Meanwhile I kinda got involved in the Crimbo spirit (and Bacardi) and almost three hours after I entered the pub I staggered home - to be met by a very angry wife standing in a rather soggy kitchen..... the washing machine had decided to pack up

Three hours after that I'm standing in a pool of blood having cut my foot on goodness knows what and not feeling a thing Fixed it with some micropore tape, elastoplast and a bandage but Mary and I ended the evening having a good chuckle about things.

Saturday brought more snow and a new washing machine - it is indeed an expensive time of the year. Last night saw temperatures of -16*C and today reached a tropical -6*C It's forecast to get colder over the next few days........

Al

^ That's a great photo.

It's not been snowing for several days. Despite this, there's still snow on the ground, mainly on the edges of pavements and roads, in gardens and on roofs. Finally, rain has washed the paltry amounts remaining on our roof but there's still a fair bit in the garden.

Here, it's not snowed for over a week but if you didn't know you'd assume it snowed yesterday or something. Not one bit of it has melted at all.

Jon

Anyone else see the gaming reference?

WoW - The Frozen Thorn. *gets coat*

Epic photograph though.

Do like the Germans then.

They're all on winter tyres (not snow tyres) here in the Ore Mountains and after 3 days continuous snow with not a gritter in sight they're all still moving.

Yep, winter tyres are worth every penny. Snow tyres are only worth it if you livein the mountains or the Artic Circle.

Winter tyres are good for abyone living in north Europe. Normal tyres stop working around 7C. Winter tyres have a much deeper profile (legal minimum 4mm) and a totally different tread pattern.

They provide good traction on frosty or icy roads and very good traction in snow.

Our street is on a steep hill and it was iced and snowed up for nearly 2 weekes before the first snow plough got to us, but I could still drive out without wheelspin. I only had problems on 1 roundabout, the rest of the time I could pretty much drive normally (30 - 50 mph), even though the county where I work won't be getting any salt until January.

I was listening to Radio 4 and peopel here even had insurance rates increased or even refused because it was treated as a material change of the car. Even though it reduced the chance of an accident the insurance industry has some problems with them.

LMFTFY.

Gere, your insurance is null and void in ice and snow, if you don't have winter tyres.

Same in Sweden, though they do allow people to have summer only insurance, they have to park their cars up for the winter.

There are load and speed rating issues with winter tyres that the insurance companies have an issue with I think.