Ha, I bought winter tires just so I can drive in the mountains around my home. It rarely snows here in the valley. It can require chains to cross the Trinity Alps during inclement weather. But it usually just gets cold and rainy here. The same as it does for coastal PNW.
Last month I was driving at 2500' and hit snow on the return. I might make a couple trips a year to Redding. The lake is at 3000' and it gets snow. So I figured I'd get my money's worth if it means more mobility and saves me from one mistake.
