I'm just across the lake from you. I don't like MTBs. My primary commuter is essentially a cyclocross front end mated to a touring bike back end. I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 tires in 35mm, under 45mm fenders. Three winters on this rig and I still can't see any reason to change it.
I've said it before, but anybody from Rochester NY (where I spent 8 friggin' years - although I do love the place, just not the winter!) who can go car-free year round is hard-core. Winter is long and bleak there.
I'm in Socal now, and it's ridiculously nice year-round. THe most depressing thing about it is that almost nobody bike-commutes here...