I have a TarpTent Contrail which doesn't perform well in winter due to the wedge design. So I'm moving to a pyramid shaped tarp in the near future. Two models stick out to me: The DuoMid and the Shangri-la 3, the former being lighter and more common in UL gear lists while the latter seems more bombproof for winter storms. Of course I have no personal experience of either and rely on these forums for my final decision. I'm leaning towards the DuoMid but I'm unsure of it's storm-worthiness, in which case the GoLite is on sale now for $199 but is leagues heavier (4+lbs including nest and floor?!).

The SL3 is more comparable in size to the speed mid and is only about 5 ounces heavier for just the fly. You can use a trekking pole jack or extender so you don't have to include the weight of the pole in the setup. The golite sl3 nest is pretty heavy, but there are some lighter replacements i.e. bear paw or ookworks. I don't think you would be using the net tent in the winter anyway so that should not really be a factor. The problem is you can only buy the sl3 as a set now unless you can find a used one on the swap.

You're factoring in the SL-3 Nest into the weight of the Shangri-la 3 shelter system, that component is optional. The fly of the SL-3 isn't significantly heavier than the MLD Duomid, roughly ~8oz., but you get more usable interior space and height w/ the SL3.

As a winter only use shelter, the SL-3 would be my choice, especially at that cost with the floor and nest.

Storm worthiness of both shelters is excellent, do a quick search on both and you'll find a wealth of feedback.

DuoMid is a fair bit smaller than the Shangri-La 3. More close comparison would be the MLLD Super Mid. How many people, and are you expecting to be using it on top of a significant snow base or on real ground?

I plan to use this floorless so I understand the SL3 fly wouldn't be terribly heavier than the MLD, but I'll also be using this as a 2-person tent so I'll need to bring the floor and nest to accommodate a newbie's comfort. So a 4+lb SL3 is a bit excessive I feel. Still, winter solo is my primary use but if silnylon is strong enough in a winter blizzard in the Sierra then MLD has the upper hand so far. Space for two people in winter would probably be better handled by the GoLite, though. I guess it comes down to price now

If you haven't already, might check out Oware 9' x 9' pyramid which has 6' height, giving steeper sides perhaps than the sl3 (5') and duomid (4.8') for shedding snow.

See http://www.owareusa.com/

The 9' x 9' Oware also has more floor space than duomid & (at 24.5 oz per Oware website) perhaps weighs less than sl3 (without floor and netting).

But the Oware costs more than either the duo or the sl3, especially with sl3 on sale.

I've never used the Oware 9x9, but (especially based on description at Oware website re its use in snow conditions) would for sure consider it if looking for a pyramid snow shelter.

I have used both the Oware AlphaMid and the MLD DuoMid for snow camping in the Sierras for 4 or 5 years now.

I prefer the DuoMid to the AlphaMid since it has more tie outs, very nice door, hooks to hold back the door when the weather is nice, etc. With the DuoMid if you dig down, you can create a lot of room.

You do not describe your expected use case and use the word "blizzard" at one point. I mostly am snow camping below tree level. When I expect a big storm, for example on my February trip to Mt Shasta, I take my double walled 4 season tent (Big Agnes StringRidge). While the DuoMid can take a fair amount of snow load, it is really hard to keep out spin drift during high winds.

I have thought about asking MLD to add a snow skirt. I think you could ride out a blizzard in a Duo Mid if you pitched it properly and dug it in. If the blizzard were in the weather forecast, IMO you would be better off in a double walled 4 season tent or plan the time to build a snow cave.

Sounds like a SL2 would be more up your alley. I've love my Duomid as a solo shelter, but can't imagine sleeping 2 in there, especially using a net inner. I also have a SL5 and I'm very familiar with a SL3. The SL3 would be great for 2 but overkill for one and it has a pretty big footprint if that matters to you. SL2 at its current price is a killer deal and you'll have the inner for when you bring a newbie. I think the flysheet alone is only abt a pound and a half which isn't bad for a roomy, very stable winter shelter. And the inner isn't nearly as heavy as the SL3's inner.

High winds bringing in a frontal system hiking in the Sierras this weekend made me wish for my Hex 3 rather than the ultra light canopy in use. I have a Duo Mid sized tent also and, as pointed out above, it is significantly smaller and, in my opinion, less wind worthy.

I had a Duomid and could not get on with it....proximity of that centre pole...

Used my Hex (SL3) in Scottish and European Alpine winter (but not with heavy snow) and thunderstorm conditions and found it fine (although vent-hosing was an issue once on a low level campsite).

The fly weighs 762g.

I've used the SL3 in light snow and naturally it performed well. I suppose all I really have to add is that Hiltons Tent City in Boston still has one SL3 Nest and one SL3 Tarp still available. Disclaimer: I used to work there. Also the same for the SL5, one of each.