Snow tires necessary for SW Montana?

[taskswap]

Good set of AT's, set of tire chains, done. If you don't have 4WD/AWD add a shovel, a "kinetic" recovery rope and soft shackle (in case somebody offers to help), and an expectation it might take an hour to self-recover if you slide into a ditch.

Go main-line some Matt's Off-Road Recovery videos, especially the early stuff before he started making tow trucks into monster trucks and was mostly winging it with whatever he brought (and he forgot stuff like, every trip). If you do get stuck, air down to 15psi (or if you feel lucky, 10).

Done.

 

[JohnB]

A set of snows on wheels has cost me anywhere from $400 to $700. Both of which are cheaper than my insurance deductible.

I've got no insight into your area but in snow country in Eastern WA I will always have two sets of wheels. I drive with a pretty light football winter but figure I want that extra traction when a deer jumps in front of me or an oncoming car gets squirrely.

 

[Ralphie]

People who say you don’t want snow tires have likely never had them. At least on the hwy I’d rather have a front wheel drive car and 4 snow tires than any 4wd or awd with regular tires.

 

[Thinkingman]

I would focus on getting narrower tires in A/T configuration.
Nothing more satisfying than driving past a Tundra on 37x12.5s in the ditch.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

are dedicated snow tires necessary? no. do i have them? absolutely.

my commute to work was 14 miles, half town, half highway, in a 2wd chevy colorado. winter driving in that colorado was 100% more enjoyable than in my 4Runner w mud tires. it didn't look as cool, but the studded snow tires tended to stay attached to the road whereas the non-studded tires were just prayin' their ticket didn't get punched.

up front investment for long term savings.

 

[406flyfish]

wildpeak AT3. Discussion over.