[smhinsey]

Do you mean the 3 mountain snowflake rating? I recently switched from some AT tires without it to those with it and while they definitely don't rise to the level of snow tires, the 3 mountain snowflake rating does seem to be legit. I don't do anything extreme in the snow but I don't want to turn around, either, and they go further than similar AT tires without.

[ungamedplayer]

Do you get both sets of tyres balanced?

[analog31]

Yes, mounting tires on rims (even re-mounting) always requires balancing. Since practically nobody can mount their own tires, balancing is one of those things that "just happens" behind the scenes.

Most people I know who have snow tires opt for a second set of (typically cheap) rims, and the wheel set comes mounted and balanced. In my case, I change them out when needed, otherwise if I'm scheduled for something like an oil change, I just toss them in the car and have the shop do it.

They are always marked with chalk for which one is which (i.e., right, left, front, back).