If you know how to drive then no... snow tires are not needed. You can take summer tires in the snow and get them to work... just not very well. I know, I've been stuck with summer tires on a day that I didn't think it was going to snow, I just had to drive real slow and never come to a full stop.

All weahter tires will get you through most of the stuff... in heavy snow and ice conditions, nothing compares to a set of snow tires. In fact I would say that if you are not use to snow tires you might find yourself in a bit of trouble because you will be lead into a false sense of security. They feel so good that you might find yourself driving faster then you should. So even with snows you have to be careful but it is a night and day difference.