In Anchorage, one rarely if ever sees tire chains on cars anymore, for some of the same reasons MostlyHarmless notes. About the only tire chains I see anymore are on big trucks and heavy equipment. Roads around here are plowed, and some problem areas are sanded. Salt isn't used much on our roads. (A DOT guy once told me they only mix just enough salt into their sand to keep it from freezing and clumping before it is spread. Mostly the roads are just plowed.

Additional factors in Alaska are that studded snow tires (metal studs) are legal in the winter, and nearly everyone uses them. Also, the majority of families have at least one 4WD or AWD vehicle in the household. SUVs, and 4WD pickups are common. Various AWD Subaru models (Legacy, Outback, Forester) are extremely popular, and have been for many years. I've been told that our local Subaru dealership regularly sells as many or more cars than any Subaru dealer anywhere in the entire US (not bad for a city of only ~300,000).