Winter tyre test 2011, done by Tekniikan Maailma, in Finland had the following results:

Studded winter tyres:
1 Continental ContiIceContact.......8,7
2 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7...............8,4
3 Bridgestone Noranza 2...............8,3
4 Pirelli Winter Carving Edge.........8,3
5 Michelin X-Ice North XIN2..........8,1

Studdless winter tyres (some are studdless Nordic winter tyres):
1 Michelin X-Ice XI2.....................7,6
2 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R...............7,5
3 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+...........7,3
4 Continental ContiVikingContct 5..7,1
5 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70...........6,9


Autobild winter tyre test 2011 results:

Studded:
1 Continental ContiIceContact........110
2 Michelin X-Ice North XIN2...........109
3 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7................108
4 Goodyear UltraGrip Extreme........102
5 Bridgestone Noranza 2.................95

Studdless:
1 Continental ContiVikingContct 5..105
2 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+...........102
3 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R................99
4 Pirelli Icecontrol Winter...............96
5 Bridgestone Blizzak Nordic...........94


I think that northern states (eg. North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota) have more or less same kind of conditions in the winter as in Finland, so maybe some of those are good in the States too.

 

I don't even need to read through the whole thread to say:

Tires, tires, tires.

Go cheap and that will happen. I have awesome summer tires and epic winter tires. My Kitty is like a train on rails in the winter.

 

Tyres everytime!