Respectfully: Driving in 20” of snow is *far* different than driving on 1” of ice. ;D
Yes, That is why people like us had stud tires then. I also drove from Omaha to what we in SF call Faggotville, NC in late Dec - 1 Jan 70 with studs on the rear of my 70 Vette roadster. I stopped by to see my old CO, Jerry Kilburn, at Bragg. They had just come back from Son Tay.
Now, those studs were not supposed to be driven on non icey roads/snow over 55 MPH then. I do not know if they are legal out west now?