They have a lot of siping and offer very good control. Studs in tires are a good idea, but must be used carefully. Although forward traction is usually good, if in a slide, the steel will allow for less resistance to stopping than bare rubber. Also when starting out, the tires with studs are more likely to spin, causing lost traction. Lots of siping is the key to good snow tires.
Tire chains are, of course, the ultimate traction device for snow and ice.
Driving on snow and ice covered roads is different than 'wheeling on the trail. Heading up to the slopes for a weekend of skiing or over the bridges to grandmother's house for turkey does take a certain amount of caution and driving finesse. When on the highway, pay attention to traffic patterns ahead, anticipate road conditions, have your rig properly equipped for winter travel with good snow tires, emergency supplies, and tire chains. I talked about snow chain use in my last article . That is when I put the chains on.