Our roads in town are generally like that - they get plowed, but that just makes them more icy (crossing the street can, at times, be quite dangerous due to this). All rides out here - other then riding into town - involve ~1000 ft of climbing/descending in the first 4 miles, so riding any sort of bike during the winter is out of the question. Riding the 2.5 miles (or so- might be even less then that) into town would be semi-ok on the Mtn Bike but only if it had studded tires.

I'd say average daily temperature (at least, when I'd be on the bike) would be constantly below freezing each day. Mornings here have already hit 32'f though thats not consistent yet.

By beaded tire, I mean one that has a rubber wire through it (I've one back in 2003 when I was riding on a trainer). Its meant for use on a trainer - its slightly heavier due to the wire, but apparently less prone to wear on the trainer. But since I've gone with the rollers, i'll just use what i've got on the bike already. Can always get new tires in the spring if needed.

Skiing to work also involves a decent amount of walking. Depending on whether the path outside my house is plowed, i'd have to walk down the hill to the beginning of the trail (or possible glide down, though it is a steep hill). The trail ends in town, at which point I'd then have to walk (and town will be plowed well on the side walks etc) the final 6 blocks or so to work. But still, gives me something like 2 miles of skating (takes about 45 mins to walk the same route in the snow) each direction which is better then nothing. Its also uphill (about a 3 - 4% grade) heading into town along that path, while being the reverse heading home.