Blizzak
Look for a used set online. You can find good deals with or without wheels. Since they're only driven on for maybe 2 or 3 months out of the year in this area, they should have a good amount of tread life left on them. If you search around pretty well, you can find great deals. I found my Blizzak WS-50's with wheels for $100 TOTAL and I've used them for 2 seasons so far and barring any sort of road hazard this winter, I can't see why I couldn't get at least 2 more seasons out of them. I put mine on in January of this year and had them off after the snow from the March 8th storm melted.
One of the main things about these tires is that they're designed to be driven in sub 40 degree temps, not really above. They do have a pretty soft sidewall, so they're not going to allow you to corner like your 40 series tires. But they have great wet/snow capability and even in the rain, you can "feel" them working better than any performance or all season tire.
This of course is just from the experience that I've had personally with my WS-50's for the last 2 winters, and I know the LM-22's and the Winterforces are really options as well. So with a little searching, between those 3, a good deal has got to be out there waiting to be had by someone.