The snow passes in southeastern Kootenays got dumped on, (there was already an hour delay on Salmo pass for avalanche control on my way back a coupe days ago) so I ended up going with the np3s which came in a studded version for a negligible difference (~25)in price. (everyone out there runs studded). First year I'll be running with a studded tire, so aside from the road noise, I'm expecting to at least not have to clench my anus as much when driving those high windy passes this season. I'm back in van for a couple weeks so right before I leave at the end of the month I'll throw them on. hopefully by the time I pass hope and head into manning pass, they'll be broken in properly.
