If you move to Anchorage or Homer, you will have more snow than you know what to do with for longer than you ever thought possible. Studs may be a waste of money someplace where you only have snow 2 or 3 months a year, but when it's common to have snow on the ground 5 or 6 months a year, studs suddenly don't seem like that bad an idea
They are no substitute for common sense, but NO AT or MT tire can compare to a studded set of blizaaks or hakkapilliitta's when it comes to snow and ice traction. 4 wheel drive doesn't help you stop and your brakes are only as good as the tires that are connected to them. Everyone has their opinions, but there is a reason about %75 of the state switches to snow tires in the winter and I'm pretty sure it's not to waste $$$
In any case you won't find me recommending anything but studded snow tires to people who ask, because if you have to ask..........................
FYI, average annual snowfall:
Cordova - 120"
Petersburg - 97"
Anchorage - 80"
Homer - 55" (that's in the city of Homer, it's probably double that up on the bluff)
Ketchikan - 37"
Phillidelphia - 21"
Seattle - 13"
