Certainly winter tires are better on snow/ice than all seasons, I don't think anyone os going to argue that.
However, they certainly aren't necessary. I've never had two sets of tires (always had all seasons), and I've never been in an accident. I can drive extra cautious (almost to the point of ridiculousness) for the conditions and still EASILY drive at the pace of the cars around me.
Even if I put winter tires on my car (I may do so in the future when I might be able to afford the extra up front cost a little better), I'll still drive with the same extra caution, because driving on snow without that extra caution is asking for an accident, winter tires or not)
Also, last winter was an aberration, the average winter in Calgary only gives about 10 days at most that you would benefit from using winter tires. Sure, winter tires may be "better" even when the road is dry, but I assume by better, they mean 0.01% better. All seasons will never slip on dry pavement, no matter what the temperature is , except perhaps in the extremest of extremes. Again, Calgary doesn't get those extreme temperatures for extended periods of time where it might make a difference.
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