Toronto (YYZ) is one of those airports which is in the annual snow league. We have yet to have the airport closed because of snow. According to the airport publicity people, we are the only north American airport that has never closed because of snow. We have always managed to keep at least one runway in operation. However, and strange as it may seem, the first snowfall of the season always takes us by surprise.
When the first flakes are sighted, usually in late November, the rush is on to put the chains on the paymovers and tracktors. What chaos ensues. So before you criticise MAN for not being prepared it might help to remember that Manchester is noted for rain, not snow. And why would they (MAN) invest in expensive snow removal equipment only to use it about once every 5 years or so?