@w4lks0ftly curious if you have any further updates from your Colorado winter?
Still can’t decide if I’m going dedicated winters or nAT. If I’m able to safely cruise down icy and snowpack passes powder chasing, I think just going with the nAT seems like the way. I would sell my slightly used Defender LTXs, save $150 dollars on second wheels, and time/few $ on slightly used winters.
Updates from the frozen high country are....very good! I've only had one meaningful traction loss incident so far, and that was on heinous, snow-dusted ice down a steep hill by the intermediate school--the road runs into a T-intersection that is so notorious, they don't have a stop sign on it. Cross traffic has to stop for anyone coming down that hill!
I was trying to turn right and brake at the same time, and that wasn't in the cards. After reaching the bottom and getting a little tail happy into the other lane, however, the truck did respond nicely to counter steer and pick right back up with intended forward motion.
This probably highlights the performance of these tires in a nutshell: really impressive traction under acceleration with less control than dedicated snow tires under braking on icy or slushy surfaces. The nATs are way, way better than other all seasons in the same snow/ice conditions, and their tread pliability in the face of extreme cold (below -10ºF) is indistinguishable from the best snow tires.
Another fun example of deep snow performance: I was recently taking an AIARE Avalanche 1 course (shout out to Buena Vista Mountain Adventures), and on our second day, half of the participants ended up loading into my vehicle because the assorted collection of Subarus and mild SUVs with snow tires couldn't make it through the deep stuff up to our intended trail head. It was me and a four door Tacoma TRD with Blizzaks, filled to the brim with backcountry skiers and gear, plowing ahead. Center diff was locked the entire time. There was no obvious difference between the nATs and the Blizzaks in deep conditions, noting that both were fitted to very competent trucks.
When I compare the performance of my school's RAM 3500 plow truck with snow tires to the LX with nATs, the difference isn't meaningful. They're both big, heavy, solid-axle rear ends that will slide out if you get happy with the go-pedal. In fresh, cold snow, they both grip like crazy pushing forward.
While I would welcome the chance to try a set of dedicated snows on the LX at this point, it's purely out of idle curiosity. How much better might they be? I don't know, but I know these nATs remain highly satisfying and confidence-inspiring in some of the most unforgiving conditions.
