riding in the snow is hard work. riding a MTB geometry is hard work. combine the two and you have a tortuously slow ride. last new year's eve was my maiden voyage in a 4" snow storm at 17 degrees and a 47 min summer commute took 2 hours and I wound up straining my IT Band which took several long months to trouble shoot and PT back to normal. IT Band tip: don't ride with the seat too high; gearing too high in very cold temps cuz that's the best way to strain it!

but I don't want to discourage you from your +1 plan - cuz any plan to go +1 is a good plan! :-)