I've never had AWD/4WD, but I do have Blizzaks on my '06 Mazda 3. AWESOME. I also drive stick, so I have a good deal more control of wheel torque than I would with an automagic transmission. I have a tough time getting the ABS to even kick-in. I live in an area with an annual average snowfall of approaching 100 inches (West MI).

I've never felt the need for AWD. It's more expensive to maintain (more stuff to go wrong) and makes for a heavier vehicle, ie less fuel efficient. My brother has a Subaru and has had numerous accidents, even though he lives in an area that gets, at most, half the snow of my area (and he's in the city, so they actually plow the roads he drives). He drives like a moron. I don't have AWD and haven't had a weather-related accident since I was 17 (20 years ago). I'm a better driver than my brother (which he will openly admit, heh).