What I mean with the ESP is that it keeps the car pointed straight when the tendency is to slide sideways in snow. I've only driven once on the highway during a real snowfall, from Atlantic City to Baltimore last March, and it was interesting. I couldn't do more than 45-50 mph without sliding, and even at that speed the tires would just decide to lose grip occasionally. However, I didn't have that much of a problem staying straight down the road. As for the Pilot Sports, I hope no one with the stock summer ones tries to drive in the snow. You might as well stick a sled under each tire...summer tire = NO WINTER! These are the all-season variant, which include a different rubber compound and tread design so that they provide (some?) functionality in "light" snow (and can withstand colder temps than a summer tire).

BTW, already 3 inches outside my door after 2 hrs of snow in the suburbs of NE Philly.