The November 2005 Consumer Reports has an article on tires:
All season tires, if icy roads are not a factor: Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread (excellent wet and dry, very good hydroplaning and snow, fair ice, very quiet) Hankook Mileage Plus II H725 (very good dry, wet, hydroplaning, snow, but fair ice) Yokohama Avid TRZ (excellent dry and hydroplaning, very good wet and snow, but fair ice)
Best all season for all weather conditions: Michelin X Radial (very good snow, ice, hydroplaning, good snow, sold only to members of shopping clubs) Michelin HydroEdge (excellent dry, very good wet, very good ice, good snow, performs capably but is noisier with mediocre hydroplaning)
Best severe winter tires: Michelin X-ice (excellent on ice and snow, but fair hydroplaning, wet and dry braking) Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice (good on ice, excellent on snow, but fair hydroplaning, wet and dry braking) Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 (excellent on ice and very good on snow, good dry, fair wet and fair hydroplaning)