Get studded tires and always have a sense of balance (old mtb lore= heavy pedals+ light hands, and keep your center of gravity over your bottom bracket).

North Dakota winters can be cruel, ice, hail, wind, snow,fog sub zero ...etc,etc

My 1st month- winter did ok with regular tires, balance etc= crashed on black ice-ouch-ouch nothing broken just sprained and very sore

My 2nd month-winter did ok with regular rear tire and studded front = crashed on black ice-ouch-nothing broken but still had the unexpected black ice and I thought I mastered the whole ice, winter thingy...twice as sore

My 3rd month-winter both front and rear studded tires = focus on balance and fun and not speed, no crashes or broken bones but very sore from being cheap the 1st 2 months and not buying studded tires.

My 4th month-winter still running front and rear studded tires, balance etc.... no crashes, didn't focus on speed, only fun and love the snow... still hurting from my cheap ass trying to save $ on tires....

I was sore for several months as ice is a very quick and painful unforgiving mistress...

Get the best studded tires you can afford unless you love the pain of hitting ice hard and quick...