It doesn't snow that much in Manitoba. It snows more in the mountains and in Southern Ontario actually. The problem in Manitoba is the cold. Its so cold, that once it snows (say in November) it stays there until April. Manitoba only has a few universities. The U of Manitoba and the U of Winnipeg are both well regarded and are in Winnipeg. The unemployment rate in Manitoba is among the lowest in Canada, but the jobs are mostly blue collar. The other difference between Manitoba and Alberta is the political culture. Alberta is the home of Canadian conservatism, while Manitoba has a NDP government. There is no provincial income or sales tax in Alberta.