Winter Tires

[Tarpan]

Hi all,

I have a 2015 Rogue 3 seater. I live just outside of Vancouver. While it doesn't snow a ton, we do try to head up into mountain areas at least a few times throughout the winter as a general rule.

I don't consider myself a particularly confident driver in the snow. While I have no issue with figuring out how to change a tire, I never have. I do have a wife and kids though as well who are in the car a lot more often than I am. I put that out there as variables.
Our decision is what to do with regards to winter tires. In the past I have driven a civic, and just always alternated winter tires on and off around the winter.

We currently have the stock 3-season run-flat tires. While safety is certainly a factor over cost, I don't want to waste money and feel short handed in my expertise on choosing the best option. Our 3 options are below, and I am curious what you guys would do.

1) Drive less when it's snowy/icy and stick with our 3-season (cheapest, least safe).
2) Get run-flat winter tires (most expensive option, most safe) and alternate them on and off.
3) Get regular 4-season tires (doesn't seem to be a run-flat option) and leave them on and sell our current tires (middle).

The run-flat's are a great mental assurance that my wife is not getting stuck somewhere with a flat, kids, and no cell reception, particularly in the summer while camping. Something less likely in the colder months (but not out of the question).

On the topic of carrying a spare or a donut, I don't suspect they would fit in the well under the 3rd row, but maybe I am wrong. I am running under the assumption that it wouldn't fit under there which is why they didn't include one with the car and instead go with the run flats.

We have ruled out the option of regular winter tires simply due to the cost being higher than 4 season over the life of the vehicle while not providing anything extra.

Sorry for the rambling. I appreciate any feedback.

[Mahkyc]

I am buying snow tires. I'm buying used steel rims too, so I can swap them myself. I will struggle with cost and storage space, but I'm gonna make it work.
Consumer Reports just reviewed and tested snow tires; it is the only way to go, I think.
3 season tires will outperform 4 season tires in rain, or so I am told. What's good for rain and what's good for snow are exact opposites in tread design. So a 4 season tire (trying to handle wet and snow) ends up doing neither very well.