35i Sport Tires in the snow?
 

Anyone have experience with the 315's in the snow? Curious if I will be able to safely take the car to Lake Tahoe without chains during ski season (are chains even available for the 315's?).

I have the 315 RFT, they are ok... as long as there's not a blizzard coming down and that you drive slow and straight, otherwise, get snow tires.

Those summer tires are horrible even on lightest snow - as rubber turns plastic in low temps. Strongly advise against.

Not completely true, I have gone thru unplowed side streets during the last couple of storms on them no problem, a little tricky but nothing major. But if you are making turns while going normal speed then thats a different story.

The chances of me going thru a snow storm is fairly low, maybe that one time and I do not go skiing in the mountains every weekend, so getting a set of snow tires that will be fully utilized maybe once or twice in 3 years is overkill. I just stay home till the roads gets plowed the next day.

...so what do people do? Are there snow chains that fit the 315's (and the front) for occasional use in Tahoe? A dedicated snow/ice wheel and tire package seems a little excessive for me given I live in California.

Perhaps a 255 square all-season wheel and tire package?

Summer tires are not designed to be used in snow (or cold weather). You might be able to accelerate okay, but stopping and turning will be severely compromised. I've seen an X5 with summer 20" like a sled, sliding down a hill with all 4 wheels locked; luckily no one was in its way.

If you are going to buy a separate set of wheels, might as well make them snow tires, since all-seasons are "no-seasons", the master of no trades.

OT, but given the number of Californians in similar predicaments (1 or 2x a year to snowy Tahoe), I'm surprised no one has done a winter tire loaner programme of some sorts.