Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Winter tires not really needed here in central N.H.

jeffk · 12-12-2025, 07:20 AM

There are a lot of "it depends" to the answer of whether to use snows.

First, your climate. I consider the Lakes region has enough slippery days to justify snows. They DO perform better than all season tires. Even when I lived further south, in Hudson, weather was a concern and my commute to work could be a challenge. The snows do have their own wheels. I keep my cars a long time so the cost of the wheels was distributed over the life of the car (~$20 per wheel per year over 20 years).

Do you have to get out on a regular basis? Or, are you good to sit at home and wait out the bad weather? I prefer to have the ABILITY to go out in almost any weather. Then I can CHOOSE to go or not go at almost any time, under almost any conditions. Years ago, I had to make a run to the emergency room because of a blood clot, a day after a blizzard. I traveled with confidence because I have snows and good drive systems.

In addition to the snows, I have AWD on both cars and 4WD on the truck. These drive systems make the cars more expensive. My Audi with 4 wheel Quattro drive is a tank in snow as long as it isn't too deep (low ground clearance). The RAM 1500 has M/S tires and it is pretty good in snow but not as good a grip as the cars. I put 300 lbs. of sand in the bed for better traction. The Camry AWD is very good as well.

Next consideration is where you live. I have to go up (and DOWN) the BIG hill coming out of the town of Center Harbor on a daily basis. I see cars and trucks defeated by this hill on several days during a winter season. I can almost always go up the hill with no slipping (Audi) or a little slipping (Toyota and RAM). Further, around the lakes there are lots of hilly areas and lots of curving roads. Again, I drive with confidence.

The only things that defeats the best tires and drive systems is significant ice from freezing rain. Wise people stay in until the icy roads are well sanded or put chains on their tires if they MUST get out. Even snowmobiles don't like ice, even with cleats in the tracks.

As you can see, my ultimate choice about snows, AND my cars, is based on personal opinion of what matters to me concerning winter travel.

12-12-2025, 07:20 AM	#26
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,246 Thanks: 216 Thanked 483 Times in 277 Posts	There are a lot of "it depends" to the answer of whether to use snows. First, your climate. I consider the Lakes region has enough slippery days to justify snows. They DO perform better than all season tires. Even when I lived further south, in Hudson, weather was a concern and my commute to work could be a challenge. The snows do have their own wheels. I keep my cars a long time so the cost of the wheels was distributed over the life of the car (~$20 per wheel per year over 20 years). Do you have to get out on a regular basis? Or, are you good to sit at home and wait out the bad weather? I prefer to have the ABILITY to go out in almost any weather. Then I can CHOOSE to go or not go at almost any time, under almost any conditions. Years ago, I had to make a run to the emergency room because of a blood clot, a day after a blizzard. I traveled with confidence because I have snows and good drive systems. In addition to the snows, I have AWD on both cars and 4WD on the truck. These drive systems make the cars more expensive. My Audi with 4 wheel Quattro drive is a tank in snow as long as it isn't too deep (low ground clearance). The RAM 1500 has M/S tires and it is pretty good in snow but not as good a grip as the cars. I put 300 lbs. of sand in the bed for better traction. The Camry AWD is very good as well. Next consideration is where you live. I have to go up (and DOWN) the BIG hill coming out of the town of Center Harbor on a daily basis. I see cars and trucks defeated by this hill on several days during a winter season. I can almost always go up the hill with no slipping (Audi) or a little slipping (Toyota and RAM). Further, around the lakes there are lots of hilly areas and lots of curving roads. Again, I drive with confidence. The only things that defeats the best tires and drive systems is significant ice from freezing rain. Wise people stay in until the icy roads are well sanded or put chains on their tires if they MUST get out. Even snowmobiles don't like ice, even with cleats in the tracks. As you can see, my ultimate choice about snows, AND my cars, is based on personal opinion of what matters to me concerning winter travel.