IME, when the snow gets deeper than you can dig down to the dirt/pavement, airing down the tires is the only way to go. When in deep snow on the trail I air down my 33 AT's to about 2psi, sometimes lower. This gives my 12.50 AT's about a 16" wide footprint, and allows me to distribute as more weight over the tires than with them at higher pressures.

I used to run a set of Kleber snow tires (145-80R13) on my old VW. No longer available, made in France, they used a special rubber that was porous and would absorb water (hydrophilic) and those things were amazing tires. You could drive on icy roads like they were dry pavement. One time I had to stop on the way up though the mountains and got out and nearly fell down the road was so slippery. But with those tires, it felt like normal traction. So yes, for real bad conditions, those specialty tires are great, but I find skinny 9.50 or 10.50 BGF ATs or siped MTs do pretty darn good, at least for the mountain snow driving I do.

Well PoorA$$, you must have some cruel tire dealers up in Canada. Here in the NW at Discount (Americas Tires) and Les Schwab siping is pushed with all their new tires and in no way voids the warranty. But when conditions get real tough, I'm not afraid to admit I chain up all 4 and have at it!

The HULK now belongs to Ken Bouvet, who is a member of the Nanaimo Sidewinders , as am I. Ken also Runs 44" boggers.