Since its now spring alot of winter tires are going on sale here and I am looking at buying some for next year but need some input on which size to get.

I am allowed to use the following sizes:
155R13-78S
155R13-78T
155/80R13-79S
155/80R13-79T
175/70R13-82H
185/65R14-86T
185/65R14-86H

The summer tires are the 185/65R14-86T and are fine, just what would you run for winter tires in a mountainous alpine climate that this winter got up to 3-4 feet of snow in a weekend. I have heard skinny tires are best but have also heard wider tires are just as good. I have a set of steel 14s but am afraid I wont be allowed to use them this coming winter because they have quite a bit of rust on the back side.

 

The skinnier and taller (within reason of course,) the better.
Reason being a skinnier tire will cut through the snow better instead of "floating" on top. The contact patch is skinnier and especially LONGER than with a wider tire. Therefore, better overall traction and steering response.
Just as a wider tire is more liable to hydroplane on wet roads, a wider tire will spread out the weight of the vehicle over a bigger contact patch. Fewer lbs/sq.in.

A taller tire will help the aforementioned traction by allowing more ground/body/wheel clearance, hence fewer worries about high-centering.

 

Skinnier tires are better than wider tires. I had real wide tires on a previous vehicle and it sucked big time in the rain, let alone snow.
For example: My Mazda 6: There are 3 different sizes i believe. Standard steel rims are 16X6.5, Alum are 17X7, and GT version is 18X7.5 . I would not put the GT size on for winter. On my car, for winter tires either 6.5 inch wide or 7" wide rims would work. Try to find out the sizes for your car from the dealer and stay away from GT size because they may be wider than normal.

 

Ok so I am going to start looking at the 155s on the 13s, need to get new steelies but have to anyway I think. Whats the difference between the 155R13 and a 155/80R13?

 

They way the tire company decided to inscribe it on the sidewall.... buutttt, I'm being a smartass.

The serious answer now: In metric tires, the std is an 80 series sidewall height, so some companies dispense w/the 80 inscription. That's all. A 155-13 and a 155/80-13.... same thing