TAK, I've tried to use the SMC snow stakes a few times over the years and have never been impressed with them. I've got a half dozen out in the garage. They've been in production so long I keep wondering what I'm not understanding. Never tried pickets. Skis work pretty well, but then you're stuck without transportation.
What little bit I used them on spring ski trips in AK they worked great. Always below freezing and really powdery snow with a crust that late usually.
On second thought I can see how they would be problematic for a tipi because you have to drive them and let 'em "freeze" through the holes in the stake before you load them. That really wouldn't work for a tipi. Might work for guyouts, if you could wait to load them.
If I was on skis with a sled I would strongly consider mountaineering pickets. A light weight engineered product.
I've driven many of those GI issue stakes into frozen tundra setting up that POS boat anchor arctic squad tent.
