Vermont sounds like Indiana. When the temp bounces above and below freezing twice daily, ug. It's the refrozen slushy ruts that I find impassable. That and too-deep snow, which we seem to rarely get anymore. Sometimes the ride to work is tolerable, but on the commute home I'm walking because the refreeze is impassable.

IMO, studded tires will get you through all but deep stuff and refrozen ruts. At that point, it's time for alternative transportation.