I just moved up to Illinois from Texas a couple of months ago and was very concerned with my GS's response in the snow. I had lived in Kansas City when I first bought the car with Bridgestones on it and had terrible experience in a light snowfall there just before I moved south. I did experience about an inch snowfall a month ago in Illinois with my Michelin Pilot XGT's and that was no fun at all. When I got back to my office I called Tire Rack and they overnighted four Artic Alpin's to me and a local dealer did the install on my car (is even storing my summer tires for me).
What a difference! We had a 7 inch snowfall a week or so ago and my car was totally different with the snow tires. I used the snow setting on the ECT to change the starting gear and did take it a little easy but I found that I was able to get around town with absolutely no traction issues. Even went up some decent slopes that I saw FWD & SUV's struggling with traction on. The tires are Q rated so I watch my top end speed and am looking forward to getting the Pilot's back on in a week or so.
I'm very happy with the GS using the Artic Alpins to handle snow.
