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Good snow tires worth the price

Snow has fallen a few times already in Grand Forks and if you’re planning on driving around in your all-season tires, you’re hooped.

Snow has fallen a few times already in Grand Forks and if you’re planning on driving around in your all-season tires, you’re hooped.

While I had my snow tires put on after the first snowfall of this year – about a day after to be exact – I am amazed that some people haven’t done so yet.

Driving around the city isn’t so much a problem but it’s when you’re headed to and past Christina Lake and to and from Greenwood that you really feel a difference.

I was driving to Greenwood about two weeks ago and saw about two or three cars that were in the ditch. As a matter of fact I was driving to Greenwood this past weekend and even with my snow tires, some stretches of road were a little treacherous and I shudder to think what would’ve happened if I had my all-seasons on.

I spent a lot more than I imagined on snow tires last year and while I cursed as every penny left my account, my tune changed after last year’s first heavy snowfall – my car had no trouble navigating the snow-covered roads in Grand Forks and I didn’t fish tail when I took a corner.

I was glad I spent the money and any pangs I felt while paying ceased as I quickly realized that a good pair of snow tires are a necessity in wintertime. It’s funny how people like to skimp on the necessities sometimes – I’ve heard about some people that will pay full price for electronics (high-definition TVs for instance) and cheap out on other staples.

It reminds me of a sneaker commercial I saw a few years back when a person spent his last bit of money on the skateboard shoes rather than his electric bill. It’s also funny how some people wait until the last minute to get their tires put on.

I have another tire-related problem now to deal with, however, as my all-season tires have been driven past the point of no return and I’ll have to buy some new tires come the spring.

Fortunately, fall, spring and summertime driving isn’t treacherous and I can probably cheap out if I feel like it.

Although it’s probably better if I do decide to pony up again and spend a bit more.

– Karl Yu is editor of the Grand Forks Gazette



Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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