I drove for more than a decade with a front wheel drive car and snow tires, living in central and norther Maine. I did not "fishtail like a bitch" unless I was explicitly trying to do so.

If you have never driven in snow with snow tires, you cannot possibly comprehend how much more grip they have compared to all-seasons. My current car is AWD, and the only thing it offers over FWD is more grip from a stop, and the ability to get more sideways. The tires are the difference maker.