Best winter tires

Driving in the wintertime in Canada is no joke. With icy roads, heavy snowfall and limited visibility, the chances of being involved in an accident increase. Beyond practicing safe driving habits, installing winter tires on your vehicle is also a non-negotiable. Below 7 °C, all-season tires and summer tires lose elasticity and traction, while snow tires offer protection for winter drives, increasing traction and reducing the odds of sliding or skidding.

So, what are the best winter tires in Canada? How do you choose? This guide will walk you through the top winter tires by vehicle type, safety considerations, tips on how to choose, insurance implications and more.

Quick picks: Best tires for winter conditions in Canada

Let's take a look at some tire models, the pros and cons of each, and their ratings:

Best studless ice and snow tires

Studless winter tires offer optimal performance levels in most Canadian winter conditions, offering a smoother, quieter ride compared to studded winter tires. Take a look:

• Michelin X-Ice Snow: Some of the best winter tires in Canada are the Michelin X-Ice Snow. They have excellent ice braking performance and offer smooth handling on packed snow. These winter tires are also considered quiet when operating and optimize fuel efficiency.

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5: Considered some of the best winter tires when navigating extreme cold and icy roads, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 offers ideal cold flexibility and operates at lower noise levels. These operate well in the prairies and northern parts of Canada due to their Arctic Grip Crystals and Double Block Grip.

• Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: The Bridgestone Blizzak Ws90 are some of the best winter tires in Canada for handling heavy rainfall and slushy road conditions. They also perform well in urban areas and should be considered if you’re driving along the coast of British Columbia or any of the Atlantic provinces.

Best Studded Winter Tires

Studded winter tires are some of the best winter tires if you’re driving in rural areas, navigating steep hills or travelling in extremely icy conditions. Some of the best studded winter tires include:

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10: The Hakkapeliitta 10 Studded winter tires received top marks when it came to both braking and cornering on snow and ice, as well as hydroplane resistance and handling in dry and wet road conditions. Standout features of this tire are its double stud technology that uses both centre studs and shoulder studs to improve braking grip, turning, acceleration and lane-changing control.

• Toyo Observe GSi-6: The Toyo Observe GSi-6 is an affordable studded winter tire that offers solid ice and snow traction. It’s a good fit for those in colder regions of Canada who regularly deal with slippery conditions. That said, the stud does create a lot of road noise and can limit comfort on dry pavement.

Best Performance Winter Tires

Performance winter tires in Canada are designed for drivers who want to feel confident in their vehicle handling without sacrificing their steering, braking power or the feel of the road. These snow tires have a firmer sidewall and sport tread pattern that maintains handling on wet and dry pavement, making them ideal for sporty sedans, coupes and high-performance SUVs that require precise handling in cold temperatures. Here's what you should know:

• Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3: Best winter tires in terms of performance. These are favoured for European performance cars and drivers who want responsive steering in mixed winter conditions.

• Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4: The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 are the best winter tire for sporty sedans on the market. They deliver optimal road feedback with impressive braking performance levels in cold conditions. They are not designed for deep snow travelling, but do a great job on dry roads, especially when driving at higher speeds.

• Continental WinterContact TS 860 S: The Continental WinterContact TS 860 S are the ideal performance winter tire for luxury SUVs. This model of tire offers confident cornering, dependable braking in both rain and light snow and a balanced road grip. These are recommended for drivers who live in areas of Canada that experience various winter conditions without heavy snow.

Best SUV/truck & LT winter tires

SUVs, pick-up trucks and light trucks require winter tires that are built for higher load capacities. They often feature reinforced sidewalls and are made with compounds that are designed to maintain flexibility under heavy weights. Ultimately, these snow tires must support hauling, towing and a lot more severe winter driving environments. Let's take a look:

• Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2: The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is one of the best winter tires for SUVs that commute daily. They offer excellent snow and ice traction and solid, predictable handling. These snow tires are ideal for those travelling in mixed conditions, families and daily commuters.

• Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV: The Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV is a premium winter tire that is suitable for those driving long distances. These tires are fuel-efficient, offer excellent ice braking capabilities and provide reliable grip in cold, icy driving conditions.

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3: The Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 is ideal for heavy towing. They have been specifically engineered for extremely cold conditions and offer outstanding stability and braking when you’re towing trailers.

• BFGoodrich Winter T/A KSI: BFGoodrich Winter T/A KSI winter tires are best used on a light truck. They offer great traction in deep snow and other rugged conditions, making them ideal for those in rural areas or those who work in construction.

Best for EVs (Low rolling resistance and cold grip)

Driving an electric vehicle in the wintertime does present some unique challenges compared to traditional gas-powered models. You’re essentially dealing with a greater vehicle mass, reduced regenerative braking capabilities in colder conditions and instant torque at low speeds. That’s why winter tires for electric vehicles must balance both traction and rolling resistance. Here are some options:

• Michelin X-Ice Snow EV: Once again, the Michelin X-Ice Snow EV model is one of the best EV winter tires in Canada. They are designed specifically for EV torque and weight and feature a foam liner that reduces noise. You can also expect good fuel efficiency levels like other Michelin tire models.

• Continental VikingContact 7: The Continental VikingContact 7 is best used in urban driving conditions. They have an excellent slush performance and decent braking, making them good for cold-weather commuting.

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 EV: The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 EV is better suited for extremely cold conditions. They have been engineered to excel while driving on icy roads without compromising fuel efficiency, making them ideal for those living in the Northern parts of Canada and those who drive on the highway frequently.

Budget standouts (good, not cheap)

Budget-friendly winter tires can still provide safe stopping distances and snow performance. While you may have to sacrifice noise and tread life, they are a great option for those with limited budgets, older vehicles, low-mileage drivers or those living in urban areas. Have a look:

• General Altimax Arctic 12: The General Altimax Arctic 12 is a great budget-friendly option that offers reliable snow traction and good handling. However, you will have to sacrifice noise levels.

• Firestone Winterforce 2: The Firestone Winterforce 2 is a snow tire that is a great option for those who require deep snow performance with a lower budget. However, they aren’t as reliable in wet conditions, especially when braking.

• Sailun Ice Blazer WST1: Sailun Ice Blazer WST1 winter tires are a low-cost option perfect for those in rural areas. They have a strong traction performance in colder, snowy conditions. However, their tread wear does have a shorter lifespan.

Buyer’s guide: Choose by climate, vehicle and roads

Winter tires in Canada will vary greatly between drivers, given that the country experiences highly diverse weather conditions depending on where you are in the winter months. So, how do you choose? Here’s a general buyer’s guide you can follow to help you make a decision:

Climate and road type

Terrain can differ depending on where you live. Here's how you can best arm your car to handle road conditions:

• Prairies/Northern Ontario/Atlantic Canada: Drivers in these areas should aim to install winter snow tires with excellent ice performance, braking and deep snow traction. Models like Michelin X-Ice Snow and Nokian Hakkapeliitta are great options.

• Coastal regions (B.C. Lower Mainland, Nova Scotia): Wet conditions require tires that have better hydroplaning resistance and wet-road stability. Consider the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 or Continental VikingContact 7 models.

• Urban area (Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal): Studless winter tires with quiet operation and all-around winter performance levels are ideal. Opt for the Michelin X-Ice Snow, Continental VikingContact 7 or Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.

Vehicle and duty

Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, you may need different types of winter tires:

• Electric vehicles: EVs require winter tires that can handle higher masses and a low rolling resistance. We recommend the Continental VikingContact 7 EV, Michelin X-Ice Snow EV and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.

• SUVs/trucks: Choose tires made for heavier vehicles. LT-rated or P-metric tires handle extra vehicle weight, towing and driving through heavy snow. Consider options like Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V3, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV and Michelin Latitude X-Ice Snow.

• Performance cars: Look for tires that have responsive steering and can handle travelling at higher speeds. Avoid very wide tires in deep snow conditions, as they can cause slipping. Options include the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA5 and Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.

Sizing and specs

To find your tire size, you’ll need to check the sidewall of your current tires. You’ll find a code that may read something like this, for example: 225/55R17 97H. This means:

• 225 = Tire width in millimetres.

• 55 = Aspect ratio (tire height as % of the width).

• R17 = Rim diameters in inches.

• 97 = Load index (maximum load capacity).

• H = Speed rating (maximum safe speed).

• Minus sizing: Opting for a slightly narrower tire for the winter can improve your traction. This is ideal for regions that experience heavy snowfall.

Tread type and symbols

Tread type matters! Take a look:

• 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake): Meets Transport Canada traction standards.

• M+S (Mud + Snow): Represents general winter capabilities, but has not been tested for deep snow conditions.

Studded vs. studless vs. chains

Tire chains are metal chains that wrap around the tires on your car. As with winter tires, they come in a wide range of sizes, some to suit trucks and others to suit SUVs or cars. The main difference between winter tires and snow chains is that winter tires are the actual tire that goes on your wheel, whereas chains are an accessory that wraps around your tire, whether you have an all-season tire or a winter tire.

Although tire chains are cheaper than winter tires, they should only be thought of as a temporary solution or an addition to winter tires rather than a replacement for them. Tire chains also tend to work best when driving on snow-covered roads, whereas winter tires are effective on both snow and ice-covered roads, as well as dry roads in cold temperatures.

Therefore, if you drive regularly throughout the winter, snow tires may be the more reliable option. When it comes to studded winter tires, they’re best used in extremely icy conditions, on hills and on slippery roads, while studless tires are good for all-around Canadian winter weather conditions.

When to install/remove and Maintenance

Winter car maintenance for your tires includes:

• Install timing: Switch to your winter tires when temperatures are consistently around 7 °C. Summer and all-season tires lose their grip as temperatures become colder. Book your appointment in the early fall.

• Removal timing: Change back to your all-weather tires or summer tires when the temperature is consistently above 7 °C.

• Tire pressure: Cold temperatures reduce tire pressure by 1 psi per 5 °C. Check your pressure monthly and top up as needed.

• Rotation and alignment: Rotate your tires every 8,000 kilometres to ensure even tread wear. Check your alignment in the fall or when you notice uneven tread patterns.

• Tread depth: Replace your tires when they near 4 millimetres to ensure safe travels during the winter.

• Break-in: New or studded winter tires need 300 to 800 kilometres of driving before they reach peak performance levels.

• Noise checks: Inspect your vehicle for any unusual vibrations or noises that may be impacting your ride comfort levels.

Storage and off-season care

When your winter tires are not in use, perform the following maintenance tasks and take note of these storage recommendations:

• Cleaning: Remove dirt, salt and grime from your tires before storing them for the season.

• Bagging: Store your winter tires in a breathable bag to prevent damage.

• Location: Keep your winter tires stored in a cool, dark, dry area. Avoid using heat if possible.

• Stack vs. hang: Follow manufacturer instructions.

• Documentation: Keep track of how much mileage is driven with your winter tires and your installation date to ensure you can rotate them at the right time the following season.

Provincial rules & insurance discounts

Some provinces in Canada have winter tire mandates that all drivers must follow:

• Quebec: Mandatory from December 1 to March 15. Fines of $200 to $300 if you are caught without;

• British Columbia: Winter tires or chains are required between October 1 and April 30 on signed highways.

• Other provinces: Winter tires are recommended for safety.

Next, we'll take a look at discounts:

Insurance discounts

Many insurance companies across Canada offer an auto insurance discount to those who install winter tires on their car. For example, in Ontario, discounts can be up to 5% on your premium prices.

Studded winter tire regulations

Let's take a look at the rules surrounding studded tires:

• Studded tires are allowed in Quebec during the winter period.

• Studded tires are legal in BC, but restricted during certain dates and on specific roadways.

• Regulations will vary between provinces and municipalities.

Price and value: What to budget

The average cost of winter tires in Canada can vary greatly based on the type of tire you’re purchasing. That said, Kelley Blue Book states that you can expect to pay at least $1,000 or more for four winter tires from a reputable manufacturer.

Contact BrokerLink today

Winter weather can be brutal in Canada. By installing winter tires on your vehicle, you not only improve your winter grip on the road, but you also give yourself better chances of getting where you need to go safely. If you’ve installed winter tires on your vehicle, contact BrokerLink today to learn more about car insurance discounts you may qualify for.

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