Opinions on personal preferences regarding studded/non-studded snow tires are numerous judging by the replies. The one thing that can be agreed upon are the advances in true winter tires and studs over the years.
We lived in snow/ice country for many years in north central BC and good traction on ice and snow was sometimes the difference between life and death. There always seemed not a day went by when you had to travel on steep driveways or icy roads while going to work or transporting kids to their tournaments to towns that were many hours drive away not to mention up the ski hill which steep grade roads were mainly hard packed snow and sometimes ice.
I can remember the first time trying on a set of Blizzaks on our 4x4 Toyota van and being able to zip up our 16% driveway better than old style hard conpound snow tires with minimal problems. That was my first experience with soft rubber, true winter tires. The only down side was that because the winters were fairly long, you only got 2 seasons out of set of Blizzaks.
We now live in the south to where there is less winter but still drive 4000' vertical from our house to the ski hill at least 6 days a week in the winter and many other trips over the mountain passes includding the "Coke" and Coquahalla connector sections of BC roads frequently driving on very icy/slippery sections at high speeds. Our tires of choice are true winter tires with studs on both our F350 4x4 and the AWD Rav4. Truck has Coopers with studs installed at the local dealer and Rav runs a set of Hakkapelitta 9's which has I think 9 rows of factory installed, 3 sided modern studs which provide less damage to roads and incredible grip in every winter condition.
Dangerous winter driving conditions where there is potential for bad accidents includding injuries and death quite often do not include roads with a build up of snow. Most drivers slow down so if there are accidents they tend to be fender benders. Many serious winter accidents however are caused by black ice on a section of highway where motorists are travelling at least the posted speed which is fast for dangerous winter roads. You can't see the thin layer of black ice and the first time you realize that there is black ice on the road is when you start to lose control on a curve or downhill when going the speed limit. By this time it is too late. This is where modern studded snow tires out perform by a wide margin studless tires even with good winter tires.
For my own safety and my families, I can put up with a bit of extra noise for much better handling on potentially hazardous winter roads.
I learned a long time ago from the northern loggers who equiped their pick ups with studded snow tires for their daily drives to work on very treacheous, icy winter haul roads with very few accidents. "Better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them".
Dave
2016 F350 Diesel 4X4 CC SRW SB,
2016 Creekside 23RKS, 490W solar, 2000W Xantrex Freedom 2012 inverter, 4 6V GC-2 (450AH)
2006 F350 CC 4X4 sold
2011 Outfitter 9.5' sold
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