Chris:

Don't worry about chains on a syncro.  In Colorado the
rules are "chains or adequate snow tires" and "all
weather" on a 4x4 vehicle will be fine.  The syncro
does great in snow--braking is the harder half.

In the Rockies, it will snow all night and then be
cloudless and sunny the next day.  Just don't drive
at night in a storm.  This in contrast to the coast
(Sierra Nevadas) where it can snow heavily and steady
for 3-4 days....

                        Richard A Jones
                        Boulder, Colorado