I'm looking for studless ice optimized tires. In seattle the problem is not snow but all the black ice we get here when it snows, then melts, then freezes overnight. We get little snow but black ice is a huge problem - it's everywhere.
I run a squared 225/45 Toyo Observe GSI 6HP setup mounted on FC04 18" wheels. Had this setup for all of last winter and I was very happy with it. Traction on ice was a bit of a worry for me, beforehand, having owned 3 sets of Michelin X-Ice tires, but I was pleasantly surprised. The GSI 6HP is still hard enough on the edges so that it perform resonnably well on dry surface. You get a reasonnable "fun" winter tire. Traction in the snow is very great. Nothing bad to say about that aspect.
It's a well rounded winter tire that is very good in all aspects, but not exceptionnal in any aspects...if you know what I mean.
Nokia WRG4 tires are considered all weather and are good on snow and ice. They’ve got grip plus you can run them year round if you like. I’ve got a set on an extra set of rims that I only use Nov through March plus or minus. They wear great and are very affordable.
Last winter I ran Nitto Motivo UHP A/S on the OE 19" rims. I plan on switching to them again at the end of the year. I don't want to run a winter tire because most of our road conditions are dry. Within a day or at most two, following a bad snow storm, the road clearing crews have plowed all the gunk off and laid down saline solution and the roads are 95%+ dry. So a winter tire is unnecessary. Also, we have many days that are above freezing during the daytime, further playing to the advantages of an UHP A/S tire. On days like those, the Nittos are in their element: better performing than either summer or winter rubber. I could run them happily all year long. But I had the Michelins and decided I wanted rims for summer that will never see the inside of a carwash tunnel (hand wash only). And therefore I ended up with two sets of rims and tires.
