i would never tell anyone to get the BFG a/t's.
they are great during the summer on dry road where you will see nothing of moisture or sand. aside from that they are one of the most garbage tires made (yes i am allowed to post my opinion just as much as you were allowed to post yours)
if the patter is something you like, then go for the cheaper General tires.
ultimately, if she is driving in snow and ice you want a few things out of the tire.
you want a tread pattern that has a good outward flow. you want something to push the moisture out of the tread so it doesnt pack up...
here you can see the blizzak has a flow to the outside..
look at how tires, like the famed bfg a/t have an interlocking tread pattern that traps in snow water sand mud, whatever, even the shoulder lugs make it difficult for stuff to get out...
you also want a tire with good siping. little slits here and there are better than nothing, but you want sisping that goes all the way through the tread block
again, blizzaks as an example: lots of siping that crosses entire tread block
the bfg, as shown above does not have as many sipes nor do they cross the entire tread block, limiting the blocks ability to flex and move water out....
another side note is that the BFG at's are still a rubber based compound, get with the times, silica based compounds are the way to go, quieter, softer, and last longer....
cooper is one of the leading comapnies for th silica based tires.....
a tire they make for the Big O franchinse is silica based, heavy siping more open tread pattern while mantaining a quiet and smooth ride and a 50k rating....(its not the same crap tire kelly safari used to make for them)
there is a reason woodland park-co, divide-co, florrisant-co and other surrounding areas on the west slope are running those tires on their city trucks, their ranch trucks, and personal trucks. the warranty is great, ride is great and traction is awesome due to UPDATED TECHNOLOGY being used in the tire, not an old concept from before me!!!!
just saying, look for tires with what you need, not tires that have been around for 20+ years and have yet to change? and no, thats not a good thing? are motors better now than 20 years ago? yes. are chemicals better now than 20 years ago? yes. what about cell phones? would you sa that ANYTHING from over 20 years ago is still the top of the line compared to all the amzing things new technology has made? no.(ya find an exception, the point is still being made)
good luck on your search