Despite the mild winter weather Vancouver is prone to, winter tires are more common than you might think. Unlike their all-season counterparts, winter tires are effective in temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius and below. They are extremely versatile and can navigate everything from heavy rainfall to slush, snow, and ice with ease. This makes them a popular choice, even for drivers in milder climates, such as Vancouver. For unparalleled performance in any form of cold weather, winter tires are the best tire for the job.

Winter Tires Features

Winter tires have a wide range of features that allow them to excel in winter conditions. For example, they feature a soft rubber compound that ensures they remain flexible, even in freezing temperatures. Winter tires also have unique tread patterns with high-density siping, deep grooves, and lots of tread blocks. These features enable the tire to excavate slush and water from the contact patch, allowing it to grip the road underneath, significantly reducing the chances of hydroplaning. Overall, winter tires provide unrivalled traction, stability, steering, and handling in a wide range of cold weather conditions.

Are Winter Tires Required in Vancouver?

Unlike Quebec (the only province in Canada to have a province-wide winter tire mandate), British Columbia does not require all residents to use winter tires during the colder months. However, the provincial government of BC does require winter tires when driving on certain highways. None of these highways are located in the Lower Mainland. However, if you frequently drive to other parts of the province, then winter tires may be required even if you’re based in Vancouver. For example, winter tires are required on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Vancouver and Whistler, as well as on the Coquihalla Highway between Vancouver and Kelowna. Generally speaking, if you plan to drive north of Vancouver, to the interior, or on northern Vancouver Island, winter tires will likely be required. A map of BC routes that require winter tires can be found on the provincial government’s website.

Winter Tire Brands

Given the popularity of winter tires in Canada, you should have no trouble finding winter tires for your Vancouver vehicle. Michelin, Bridgestone, Toyo, BFGoodrich, and Firestone are just a few of the major tire brands that produce winter tires. One of our favourite lines of winter tires is the Bridgestone Blizzak series. Bridgestone Blizzak tires are known for their extreme grip, stability, and driving comfort, no matter the road conditions. If you have a passenger car, we highly recommend the Blizzak WS80. Alternatively, if you drive a light truck, minivan, CUV, or SUV, then we suggest the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-80, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1, or the Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2. The Firestone Winterforce UV and Winterforce 2 LT are two other great options that are more budget-friendly.

Shop Winter Tires at Tire Warehouse

Shop winter tires at Tire Warehouse, and we promise you won’t be disappointed. We are headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, but ship all across Canada, including to Vancouver. As the #1 tire provider in Canada, we carry a wide range of winter tires to suit all vehicles and budgets. Shopping for tires online has never been easier thanks to our intuitive website, fast delivery times, and low shipping costs. You can browse, select, and order a pair of tires within minutes, all from the comfort of your home. Plus, we deliver to all major Canadian cities within 2 to 4 business days and offer shipping for just $5 per tire. Contact us today to speak to a tire expert and learn more about our winter tire offerings. Learn more about winter tires vs all terrain.