Originally Posted by Ya Tu Sabes
One advantage to thicker tires in snow, slush, etc., at least here in Boston where the roads are super potholey: when snow and slush cover up holes and bumps in the road, you're more likely to ride right over these obstacles; on skinny tires, this can lead to a lot of pinch flats, and changing a tire in the cold is not so much fun. I switched from 23s to 35s last winter and the difference was enormous - in fact, I left 'em on all year and haven't had a flat since (although lately I've been feeling the need for speed; I guess I'll just have to build up another rig so I can have a fast fixie and a slower but steadier fixie).
I feel you on the different roads, but how often do you air up your tires? it's pretty hard to pinch flat 23c tires at 120psi. I only get pinch flats when I get lazy and the tires are maybe down to 80 or 90 or so.