Best winter tire? There isn't, but subjectively based on:
Where you live.
The roads you drive on. (commute- highways, curvy mountain backroads)
And your driving style.
You being in PA, I'd say altimaxx would be good overall choice. (I prefer them over blizzacks due to cost and wear factors) But be aware they are very squishy sidewalls. But you will have that trade off with any winter tire to some degree. And snow is only covering the road a fraction of winter. I still want to push my car a bit and my personal preference is stiffer sidewalls on tires. So I've used M3 wintersports several years back on wrx. And studded hakepilats (sp?) on my rs last year. Been running altimax last few seasons on wrx.
I'm going back to a winter-sport type tire next time.
Still more than capable of going through any conditions and more capable, and fun, on dry pavement during winter.
For me and my car, If I lived somewhere that saw consistent snow, like buffallo NY, or lived on top of a ski resort, etc I'd go with a snow/ice tire and if your going that route, imo say F' it and go with studded tires.