Well I must say I have had a different experience than you. I have snow tires mounted on limited wheels for my SRT's winter setup and last year I got stuck in a 3-4 inch snow storm. I drove home 60 miles up/down several fairly steep hills and then the NJ turnpike at 35-40 mph. I found the traction control lite was flashing like crazy at times but if I was VERY ginger with the throttle I had no fishtailling and moved easily.

My wifes 04 limited has 42k miles pilots on it and day before yesterday I drove it from Brooklyn back home about 40 miles. I will say that it was not as stable as the snow tired SRT but I made it with little incident.

Bottom line is if you must drive in the snow, use the winter mode and be very light on the gas.

Snow tires in Las Vegas will last you and your decendents for generations.