Thanks for the advice everyone... While I too respect Morty's position with respect to snow tires, I live in urban Vancouver, close to downtown, and the amount of snow we get is really really minimal (i would call it freezing rain more than snow actually)... Accordingly, i will most likely consider staying just with all-seasons... having said that, IF i did have to travel outside of the city in a snowstorm, i would heed the advice to get snow tires...
Sadly, i agree with the other posters able Vancouverites not being very snow-savy when driving... Having grown up in Vancouver, I admit that most of us are simply not experienced enough with driving in the white stuff...
We currently have a 2003 Corolla and a 2004 Vibe in the family... we picked these cars largely because they are similar enough mechanically, and allows for "standardization" of maintenance items (i.e. oil filters, air filters, one type of coolant, tranny fluid, etc...) the tires are actually one of the few maintenance items that differ between the two cars... the Corolla takes 185/65R15 or 195/65R15, the Vibe takes 205/55R16...
I will check out the Nokians review on CD... thanks for the advice everyone!