Good question. I've been looking for a set of do-everything tires to throw on the box, and the best one I've found, based on user reviews, is the P3000 by Pirelli. (195/60-15)

The reviews on Discount Tire are mostly good, with alot of positive comments about snow driving. What will probably make me give them a try is the reviews on epinions.com. The people there are real **** about their reviews (I mean, some dude wrote like a thesis about a $8 56k modem), and they reviewed it really well for all conditions.

If you find a better one, let me know.

 

my first time driving in the snow and ice the box handled pretty well but you gotta take it easy but if da tires slip in any way the trac and vsc will help correct the slippage but IMO its great just take it easy ice is slippery

 

Mine was Great last year in the snow!

 

hm. i'll see what i can find. i was looking around on discount tire last night and since i don't have a set of stock steelies. (maybe some of you cali guys that don't use them no more want to sellem to me for cheap? let me know ) i think a new set of steelies with the hubcaps and snow tires mounted and balanced were 580 shipped. does this seem like to much? i've never bought snow tires ever.

 

im happy, my xB did a good job today!!!

 

lol listen to the guy from alaska thats the ultimate snow test

 

heres some pics yall enjoy, snow fun!!!!

 

XB's get all the good stuff

 

these help. and theyre cheap on tirerack. just mount these bad boys on yer stockies. 195/55/15's are only 74.00 a pop . good deal

 

Also originally from Alaska with my xB, now in the south. I have to agree with the Elmendorf box that snow was no problem. Just use traction control on ice and shut traction control off in the deep snow. Keep good tread on your tires and it'll do just fine. 2 winters in Anchorage for me and never got stuck once.

 

my opinion is that considering the VSC and ABS these vehicles have stock, the main reason for such varied opinions on the snow performance of the xB is twofold:

1) the driver's general experience with snow driving
2) the tires.

in my opinion, living in Colorado, and being an avid snowboarder, the tires are the biggest factor. Why shouldn't they be? ever hear the phrase "where the rubber hits the road"?

this is my snow mode: stock steelies with blizzaks.

 

i still dont have many problems....now and again i have to back out of my spot...seems i can back threw deep snow rather than drive forward......