I got a Big Bend in July and live in Idaho. Are there any other Idaho folks here? If so, do you recommend snow tires? I drive Highway 16 a lot to Boise and Nampa for work and errands. My current tires are in good condition, but I’m unsure if they’ll handle the snow well. Are snow tires a must, or can I manage without them?
Pic included for attention.
I’m not from Idaho but from Minnesota, where we also get plenty of snow. I’d recommend Falken Wildpeak AT4W for an all-terrain option or Falken Wildpeak AT Trail if you mostly stick to paved roads. Both have a ‘3 peak’ snow rating and are better than the factory all-seasons.
If you use AWD in slippery mode and drive cautiously, you might not need dedicated snow tires unless conditions are severe. I tried zooming in on your picture, but I couldn’t tell exactly what tires you have. If your roads are maintained well by plows, you could probably manage without spending over $1,000 on a second set of tires.
I live in Washington (the snowy part) and have also lived in Colorado and Alaska. If you drive a lot and can afford non-studded snow tires, I’d say they’re worth it. While you’d probably be okay using slippery GOAT mode and driving carefully, I personally prefer the peace of mind that comes with tires made for snow and ice. For me, it’s about safety during winter driving.
I got Omikron tires for $98 each online at Walmart. They were delivered to my house. A lot of people on this forum recommended them, and that’s why I gave them a try. Otherwise, I’d have never heard of them.
EDIT: The size I got was 17x8, 225/65r17.
Looks like a desert in that picture!
Mackenzie said:
Looks like a desert in that picture!
- I’m a woman, and 2. Idaho gets enough snow to make this a valid concern. So yeah.
Mackenzie said:
Looks like a desert in that picture!
-
I’m a woman, and 2. Idaho gets enough snow to make this a valid concern. So yeah.
-
It was a joke because of the picture. Relax… ma’am
Snow tires are required in Quebec, so I bought Yokohama IceGuard tires for my Bronco Sport. The price was good, and the ride quality is solid. You could also look at Nokian Hakkapeliitta or Bridgestone Blizzak. They’re all top-tier winter tires that will serve you well in tough conditions.
I’m originally from Idaho but now in Minnesota. If you’re driving Highway 16, especially near Emmett, the hill can get pretty sketchy in winter. I used to drive that route for clinical rotations at Valor Health. Snow tires give you extra safety on those tricky hills.
If you’re on a budget, check out steel wheels from a local junkyard and mount snow tires on them. That way, you can swap them at home and avoid paying for tire changes twice a year. All-seasons can work, but dedicated snow tires perform much better when it’s really cold.
@Hadden
You guessed it! That hill on 16 terrifies me, especially in winter. I’ve even thought about finding work in Emmett just to avoid it 
.
@Hadden
Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely start looking into new tires.
The factory tires mine came with (Pirelli Scorpions) were awful in snow. I’d recommend getting some all-terrain tires and calling it a day.