There's another way to look at that...
Would you rather see your car on some "ugly" 17" rims snow tires, or smashed to shit in a ditch because you lost traction and crashed the car? Compared to all-seasons, winter tires are a night and day difference. Furthermore, here in BC, if you drive anywhere past the "winter tires required" street signs (these signs are on every local mountain) without winter tires and get into an accident, your insurance is VOID.