Yeah, the price tag on good snow/ice tires is a shocker.
But I can tell you they're worth every penny.
I have a complete set, mounted on rims, for every car I own. Blizzaks on one, Michelin X-ice on the other.
In terms of mitigating the hard, measurable risks that we face daily, they're the best survival investment you can make.
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(BTW, fasteer, cheers from Edmonton. Keep your stick on the ice, and your shiny side up, eh!)