Tires: tire wear, winter driving conditions, winter tires

Question
Hi,

I live in an area of Canada (Calgary) that has a very unique winter weather pattern.  It is not uncommon to see extreme temperature swings on consecutive days in the middle of winter; driving conditions are constantly changing.  I'm new to the area and to winter driving in general.  I've asked everyone I know and none of them uses winter tires.  The truth is, there's hardly that much snow fall at all.  I'm still considering winter tires despite this.

My questions are:

1. Is it true that winter tires wear faster when driven in regular conditions?  

2. Is the fact there is not that much snowfall at all or the fact that I'll only be driving in the downtown core for the most part, good enough reasons to NOT get winter tires?

Thanks

Answer
Snow tires are made very soft to give you traction.  So yes they will wear faster.  The rule is one season for winter tires, but may last 2 seasons.  But plan on one season.
As for getting them, that is your choice.  All weather or snow tire, both will work, just snow tire will work better in the snow and will work in ice when all weather will not work in ice.
John