Ill be driving to Lake Tahoe in February in my Jeep Wrangler, Should I buy snow tires? or are the factory street tires OK?

I used to fill a plastic trash can full of beach sand and put it in the truck bed when I would go skiing up at Tahoe. You may want to get a set of tire cables just in case, they may require them even with snow tires up on Hwy 50 over the Truckee mountain pass during heavy snow conditions. Kenny is right, they have rental chain vendors that will set you up with tire chains for a hefty price.

* I see you are driving from NY so you have the PA 76 turnpike and I70 in Denver, not the Truckee pass.

If you take Hwy 50 from Pueblo, make sure you have extra fuel cans if you get stuck out there, I went that way once in the winter before GPS and basically had to drive snow blind for several hundred miles with snow covered signs. Go the I70 way over the Denver mountain pass. Kirkwood is my favorite, have fun!

Siera Ski Ranch and Heavenly suck to me, they both heavily enforce a no tucking rule and will take your lift ticket away. If you want to get away from the idiot kids, Kirkwood resort is the adult black diamond blaster.

Every tire I have bought since '91 said M & S on them. Look.

I have driven over the pass near Yreka a few times in late Nov. We did ok except for the last few hundred yards, where we needed the chains. Chains are only $35. The Sierras can get a lot of snow, be prepared.

Normal all-season tires are fine. Just pack chain/cable. If you are caught without it and chain/cable are required by the highway patrol then there will be 'chain monkeys' that will have them and install for a price.

The factory tires are fine.

1st - it's California. There is no way to guess what the weather will be like on the days you go.

Tomorrow will be 45 and sunny.

There isn't any "real" snow projected until the middle of next week.

2nd - Lake Tahoe / Truckee are big tourist destinations from LA and SF in the winter. The roads will be properly maintained. These individuals will put on chains if it is required during the few days you are there but almost none of them will have snow tires.

Your best option is to carry chains and use them if needed.

Snow tires are mandatory up there in the Winter. Chains may also be required at certain times.

I had a '77 GMC K2500, full time four drive. Ran standard 9.50-16.5 highway tires. Had no problem with traction in wet, mud, snow, on pavement, off pavement, off road.

I learned driving in Detroit, in snow, in a '53 Dodge with bald tires. I learned to drive. I would have no problem with a stock Jeep Wrangler with plain street tires, no need for snow tires or chains.

Kids now don't learn to drive, are afraid to try, think they must need studded snow tires with chains.

If you are a wimpy kid, get the fancy pantsy snow tires -- and you will run off the road anyhow.

Snow won't hurt, as long as you don't drive 100% of the time on dry roads.

Check with AAA.

Snow tires is a must.