Quote:
acruxksa previously said:
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" |
I'm wondering where all of you Alaskan's glacier-climbing pics are?!?!
When we were researching the different cities, I just about crapped my pants when seeing the amount of snow in the various parts of Alaska. I mean, I'm a native Texan and hubby is native Kansan, so we will be in a bit of a shock. However, he was stationed in Michigan (Tawas and Detroit) for a few years, and then in the NE, so he LOVES the snow and could care less. I, on the other hand, love it as long as I'm strapped to skis, snowboard, or sled
I don't mind the snow as long as you have the proper gear for being out in it... and since I traded in the RX-8 in for the FJ, I shouldn't have any issues in Alaska! The most snow I've seen in one place was ~ 96", up at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains last winter... and that was amazing!
So realistically, what's a set of studded tires, average, gonna set me back up there? I know that the cost of living is sky high up there (thankfully we get a huge cost-of-living allowance), so maybe it would be better to get them here as soon as we find out for sure if we're moving up there.
Thanks again for all your input... I'll put ya down as my honorary Alaskan travel guide
