I wised up to having snow tires late in life, around ten or twelve years ago, and around here they're the best thing ever. I'm surprised more of my friends don't indulge, but they do make a difference. I'm pretty good about going easy on them, so my first set of snows lasted me something like eight seasons. I've got two seasons, so far, on the second set.
I don't think metal studs are allowed here. What I remember from L.A. is that people driving up into the mountains (e.g. Big Bear and Arrowhead) in winter were *required* to put chains on their tires starting at a given elevation. I never had them (and they always seemed like they'd be a nightmare to put on), though I did have them put on the snowblower.
