I prefer snow to start at the beginning of Jan, that way you can have a pack for most of the winter. Even a 10-12 incher in Jan would have went a long way to improving the grade this winter.
I see why the Mainers think it's a bad year, they're way below average while we're above here in southern New England. Jan sucked but had a pack most of Feb although not a big pack. Jan being a dud makes me look at it as a bad year but overall I guess not.
I remember doing a house in Wilbraham in 1993 and the snow was up to my waist, I was younger then so got through. I had to use snow shoes in 2015 to get around houses.
Italy is great, I have family there but travelled all the way from Naples to Venice. My wife went to Iceland with a friend and wants mw to go there with her, not that expensive either.
07 sucked too, 18 inch pack on Christmas Eve down to bare ground Christmas day. I remember going to my BIL's on Christmas eve in the pouring rain carrying gifts.