My 4x4 truck is absolute garbage without snow tires (I got them on late this year because I was out of town). I could barely get up my driveway without them after the first snow. With the snow tires I can crawl up driveway with snow up to the bumper.

Slow down in the turns (and in general). 4x4 gets you going, but doesn't do a damn thing in the corners (and might even hinder if the front wheels start binding). If you have an auto 4x4 mode, use that instead of 4-high unless you really need to get up a hill.