After having two serious (for the South East) downfalls of snow in one year, Im toying with doing something to be better prepared for next time.

Ive found a few sites that sell chains ranging from £50 a set up to £400 but I dont know if these would actually be worth it in the UK as my understanding is that Id have to keep taking them off whever I come across a clear bit of road ? (Is this due to damage to the tyre if the chain runs on tarmac?)

The alternative is to perhaps get winter tyres. Does such a thing exist ? Would it make a blind bit of difference to my Astra ?

Finally I can just Man Up, which tbh is probably what Ill end up doing but Id at least like to hear some thoughts

Winter tyres are the way to go as they are designed to work better in cold weather regardless of how good they are at dealing with snow, chains are pointless over here.

You can get a type of sock that fits over the wheels for snow, i have no idea what they are called or how good they are though.

You can buy winter tyres but they sell out fast, so prepare in advance.

TBH i think you should just man up, im driving 200-300 miles a night over some obscure backroads and across the local moors etc, if driving a distance just be prepared for getting stuck:

Shovel/Spade
Surival Bag
Jump Leads
Tow Rope
Warm Clothing
Food/Flask of Coffee
De-Icer / Screenwash etc

I got stuck twice lastnight, luckily i got help the first time, 2nd time i dug myself out.

Just get a winter runaround like this  

If youve just got a run of the mill car, get all season tyres.
 
Not as good as a dedicated Summer/Winter tyre in their respective seasons, but a lot better than a summer tyre in winter and a winter tyre in summer.

I have stud free winter tyres works a charm and if you get them in a less wide dimension you will have even more grip (more pressure per square inch and look at pic above) I have Bridgestone Blizzard tyres I like them better than I thought had Gislaved Frost before also very good.

Partially deflate yer tyres... youll be driving at lower speeds (and its a lot colder) anyway...

get the thinnest steel wheels you can fit on with winter tyres.

Quote from: Markget the thinnest steel wheels you can fit on with winter tyres.

I meant to buy some chains before the winter but forgot all about them....

only to use once stuck.... I figure theyre easier than digging the vans out of the snow

theyve all doubled (or tripled) in price now... and winter is nearly over so Ill wait till the prices fall again... I need 6 sets so itll be worth waiting (as long as the snow doesnt get any worse)

Quote from: Markget the thinnest steel wheels you can fit on with winter tyres.

Ive read this a few places, what difference does steel wheels make?

Quote from: Clockd 0Ne

Quote from: Markget the thinnest steel wheels you can fit on with winter tyres.

Ive read this a few places, what difference does steel wheels make?

They are cheaper than Alloys  A set of cheap steel wheels with winter tyres to put in a dark place when summer comes, ready for next winter.

as above, theyre just cheaper than alloys!

So you can fire them in the garage once spring hits and forget about them until next winter.

I kept meaning to get some winter tyres on my old alloys but never got around to it.
That is the way to do it though, have a 2nd set of wheels.

Would steel wheels be a little heavier too so youve got more weight on a smaller area?