doesnt it make sense to just buy 2 if you have front wheel drive?

 

That's what people think, but they forget that if they enter a corner too fast on a snowy/icy day they could get into a dangerous oversteer situation because the rear tires have less grip than the fronts. It can also happen during braking.

It's been suggested that if you have only two snow tires to put them on the rear because people generally handle understeer better than oversteer. The only problem with that is that it gives you less motive traction and you might get stuck sometimes.

That's why it's better to get 4 matching snow tires, but I've driven around in the snow with only 2 on the front. I slow down a LOT well in advance and take it very easy though because I'm mindful of the limitations. I would have put 4 on, but we only had 2 available....

 

Do you like to swap ends while driving in the snow? Didn't think so. Snow tires are cheap. Buy all 4 and save your life and mine so you don't come spinning into me while I'm driving just fine on all 4 snow tires.