rmncwrtr Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 (edited) Here's my situation - hubby is having knee surgery next week so he won't be skiing this coming year and probably won't be heading up with us just to hang out while we ski. We are homeschooling and started early in the summer so we could spend more time skiing in the winter so I plan on making the drive to Timberline and Ski Bowl a lot this winter. In the past we've always just used chains, but I never had to put them on. Now that it'll be me and the kids alone, I'd rather not have to deal with chains. I went to tirerack.com to see the various options for my minivan. It came up with studless ice and snow tires as their preferred option. I was thinking I'd need studded tires. Can someone explain what will work best? Thanks! Edited October 30, 2008 by rmncwrtr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 blizzax or equivalent...pretty awesome tires, wear fast so take them off in the spring summer fall...better than studs, imo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmncwrtr Posted October 31, 2008 Author Share Posted October 31, 2008 Thanks Rumr. The Bridgestone Blizzack WS-60 was what they recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ketch Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 +1 on the Blizzack, to follow up on the OP. Studs are sort of old school. They work pretty well but don't come into there own until you are operating on glare ice. Most of us are not racing around on a polished lake so they are not really huge. The newer generation of studless tires are designed to make the most of the available traction. Since lots of little variances exist on road surfaces they do a great job. The Bridgstones do a top grade with these tires. Just be mindfull, as was already noted, the studless tires are made of a softer rubber to stay more flexible in cold. This lets them wear fast in warmer weather and/or more abrasive use. Put the street skins back on as soon as you don't need the extra traction anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1 Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 still though... you should throw on the chains in your driveway a few times so it's comfortable and easy to do. You never know when you will be forced to put them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_White Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I put some Nokian Hakkapeliitta link on my Vanagon just for the Finnish spelling fun factor. Actually, the Vanagon's a tall somewhat heavy breadbox, and these tires have really stiff sidewalls that help prevent that squishy cornering feel. They've been really swell in the snow as well, not surprising that the Finns would excel in that regard. These might be overkill for your minivan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmncwrtr Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 Thanks! Sounds like the studless tires are the way to go, except... My hubby was wondering if anyone had experience with spiders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtysloper Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Blizzaks for sure. I had a CRX that would spin on a wet day. I put some Zaks on it and was passing All-wheelers on the way to the slopes. But seriously, Blizzaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccallboater Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Another plug for Nokian Hakkapeliitta's. They are the most popular winter tire in the McCall/Cascade area. Considering how unknown they are elsewhere, that's a pretty ringing endorsement. I've put them on 5 different vehicles so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Hakkas on my subie = hardly ever hit the 4wd button anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Of all these studless models which one wears out the slowest? I.e. not a lot of snow during the week but for sure on the weekends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtysloper Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 the most expensive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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