Live in MA, the car definitely needs snow tires. I just got mine in September and used the ALL Seasons this winter since the tread was new. If the hill had a decent grade and you stopped mid hill you might as well turn around. The traction control (if your not familiar with it) is counter productive when going up a hill if the tires start breaking free, they keep taking the torque off the tires until they stop spinning and eventually you run out of speed to get over the hill. My dealer warned me about this and I turn it off if this situation arises.