This will be my second real year trapping. Last year I only got into beaver and otter trapping but I picked up some duke 550s for this fall for coyote and fox. For earlier in the season can you use just regular dirt rather than wax dirt since we probably wont even be looking at freezing temps for a while?

Regular dirt will be fine until you get into the hard freeze-wet-freeze time of year.
There’re options other than waxed dirt, check the archives, but wax dirt is best IMO.

Absolutely, or no dirt at all...If you bed well.

Grass, leaves, buckwheat hulls, etc. are my preference for covering when the rain comes.

Anyone have tips for real cold and deep snow? I've tried putting in a zip lock bag on drags but kept having snapped traps.

Dry grass.

I’m listening Boco. You saying dry grass under and over traps in snow?

Seldom Fales unselfishly post tons of great info, like this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nTnS03bB6fU

Yes dry grass is good under and over the trap,then blend lightly.
If trapping mink in cubbys,holes or boxes in winter,or freeze up time,stuff it full of dry grass to hide the bait as well as under and over the trap.
Mullein leaf makes a great pan cover in the fall,the hairs hold the dirt/duff pretty good.

I had problems with bags too. Early on it was fine but as the snow gets deeper, the trap could go off and the bag would grab the snow as it closes….looking like a stuffed sausage…lol. In Stan Forsyths video in Alberta, he demonstrates using cheap high tinsel bags. The ones the just break apart cuz they’re so cheap, but I can’t find those. For wolf, I’m gonna try a few different things this season, but snaring is where I expect better results.

Some people used regular table salt around the under side of trap jaws and frame before they finish bedding the trap. Will work ok before it gets too cold.

In deeper snow try coming in from the side and setting the pan under the track hole no need to cover the pan I don’t recommend doing that it’s in the hole it’s not necessary. Works well around draw station in thicker cover.

Doesn’t take much.

Wax paper over and under the trap is what I use in the snow. You need colder temperatures than we generally have here for the "shattering bag" trick. Dry grass or straw will work like Boco says, but I find wax paper much easier to pack and use. Plus it blends better

Dried out peat moss. In the bed and over the top. Light coat of Dirt. Or sift the snow, good to go.