New York metro area

For those with 17-inch summer tires, I'm interested in what your plans are for the upcoming winter and snow. From what I've heard here, leaving them on and driving (even in light snow) is pretty risky, so I'm planning on getting a set of all-seasons. I've heard that whenever you take-off or remount tires, there is a good chance of bubbling or some sort of damage to the tires. Can anyone comment on the chances of damaging the tires, as well as your plans for the winter?

Thanks.