skinny tire rule definately does not apply to a 'vette or any such animal.  

Sorry but wider is NOT better in snow.  

i have had 10.50 to my current 12.50,and some regular street tires.the best traction i have ever had has been a wider tire.we get a good amount of snow here in iowa along with ice,you guys might be able to convince some newbies skinny tires are better,but i have been wheeling all my life starting with my family,there are write-ups all over the internet about this kinda topic,and it all comes down to what you prefer,and i prefer more traction with a wider tread patch.the only thing wider can do is make you push snow,but that dont apply to 4wd's,because the front tires are digging,and if you dont have 4wd you shuldent be out in it anyways.  

ok.  i've done a little looking around, and here's what i've found:

a thinner tire has a contact patch in the shape of a brick, with the skinny end of the brick facing the direction of travel.

a wider tire also has a contact patch in the shape of a brick, but the wide end of the brick faces the direction of travel.

between those two would be a tire with a square contact patch.

with the same compound, tread and belt construction ... the skinny tire would go through rain/slush better.  the wide tire would stop the best.

for stopping, the tire with the widest leading edge will stop best.  overall contact patch is less important than leading edge length.  the wider tire will also accelerate the best, but not in wet/snow.  the skinny tire will have the best grip in wet/snow.

improvements in tire compounds/design have compensated somewhat for the limitations of the wider tire.

So, maybe JP could do a tire comparison ... identical jeeps, identical tires, wide/middle/skinny tires.  mud/snow/rock/street.

Pete

i agree,they should do a comparison.not only for the best  tire in snow but the best for all around wheeling.it would make it much easier for a person to choose a tire that best fits them and the elements and off-roading they do.