[Mark C]

I'll jump on the tire band wagon. You need more than just good tread, you need all season tires. My car has high performance summer tires that don't do well when the temp drops below ~40 degrees, even on dry roads, let alone snow. When it's snowing, I take the wife's car.

I'm not sure about legality of studs or chains, but I know a few people who swear by winter tires. One guy says his Blizzaks work nearly as well on snow as his Potenzas do in the summer. Granted he's still driving more cautiously in the snow, but it's still a significant difference.