I grew up in Ohio and actually at 16 took my driver's ed course in the middle of winter, so I learned how to drive in the snow before I learned to drive on good weather roads. I have never drive an AWD and when I lived in Ohio only ever drove front wheel drive vehicles. The only time I had a problem was with black ice and an AWD or a 4X4 isn't going to help with black ice. I agree that it's your ability to drive the vehicle not rather it's front, read, AWD or 4X4 that makes as big of a difference. Personally I'd go for a 4X4 long before I'd get an AWD, but that's just me. I've lived in NC for the past 10 years and there is most definitely something to be said for knowing how to drive in snow vs type of vehicle you have, as I've seen so many people wreck or be off to the side of the road is very little snow and people asking about chains for tires and snow tires at just the mere threat of snow down here (not talking about the mountians though). Also for most snow a good all weather tire should be fine, but yes there are some places that you would need a good snow tire. Oh and make sure you buy the right tire for the vehicle regardless of what you choose to buy as that can make a big difference in bad weather. I have a Monte Carlo SS and the Bridgestone tires I have on it now are about 1000 X's better than the GoodYear's the car came with. Both the correct tire for the vehicle in each manufacture's line, but a huge difference in driveability in bad weather and actually the Bridgestone also preform better in good weather.