[joe moving]

i have good luck with blizzacks. on my car this year are firestone winterforce.

[Sporin]

4 snow tires on a front wheel drive car will bring you a level of safety that is worth every penny. Given how hilly the Burlington area is I'd highly recommend it.

fwiw, I've run Michelin Arctic Alpins, Cooper Weathermasters (twice), Firestone Winterforce, Gislaved, and Nokian Haka2's. Each had very minor pros and cons but honestly I didn't find much of a real difference between any of them including the Hakka's which cost twice what the others costs. The more aggressive treaded ones (winterforce and weathermaster) were louder on dry roads but better in deep snow. The smoother treaded ones (Alpins and Hakka's) were quieter on dry roads but spun more in deep snow.

ALL of them were dramatically better then the all-seasons I used to run in the winter before I realized what I was missing.

They are really cheap at TireRack. Heck, I can get a set of 4 tires mounted and balanced on 4 new steel rims shipped to my door for $600±. That's easily 3-4 winters of use for cheaper then my insurance deductible.

[j_jimerino]

You'll probably be fine with all seasons since you're just going to be in town 98% of the time...although the name "all season" is pretty much a lie around here. If you planned your travel carefully you could avoid bad roads...this isn't always a luxury we have though.

However, you aren't really spending much extra money buying four snow tires than if you didn't buy any snow tires at all. Consider that while the snows are on, the summers are not being worn down and vice versa. It's not as if you're buying twice as many tires as you would have...the cost of two sets is simply front loaded.

Basically you end up out the extra cost of a good snow versus your all season, plus any swapping costs...which isn't going to be that much. IMO, buying the tires is a no brainer because its not like there's any indicate they're going to plow the roads any better any time soon.

[RunawayJim]

I'd go with snow tires. I drive an Outback and, while I live in RI and have never bought snow tires in the past, plan on putting snow tires on this year. The roads here are bad enough to warrant it and driving up north for skiing will be a nicer experience with them.

Of course, the all seasons that come stock on Subarus are pretty crappy tires to begin with, even in the summer.

[Logs and Dogs]

We also have an Outback and last weekend I ended up taking it hunting while both trucks sat at home......we have very decent all season tires on the OB.....coming down one mountain behind a couple of my friend's trucks I thought I was going to be shopping for another used car as the ABS was going nutts and I was accelerating down the icey mountain......snow tires are going on the OB too.

Nothing is good on ice.......

in the 4-5" of snow on hilly logging roads I was able to do as well as the trucks I was with.......I love winter driving, I find it much more fun.

[Sporin]

A good article on the advantages and differences of various levels of tire, all-seasons to full winters: 2009 Winter Tire Test - Comparison Tests

[Djuna]

I have studded Hankook I Pikes because out here in the mountains you just have to have tires that can cope with the ruggedness. I drive an AWD Subaru like a good Vermonter

[Sporin]

Great video from CBS Putting Winter Tires to the Test - CBS News Video

I ran all seasons on my cars for years and thought it was just fine, though I "didn't need snows" then I got a set. Night and day difference. I haven't done a winter without them since. The added control, particular when breaking and turning, is dramatic.