Due to snow, ice, and frigid temperatures, winter driving conditions in Canada can be challenging and potentially hazardous. Come with us on a ride through the harsh Canadian winter on the best winter tires in Canada.

Canada has some of the harshest winter conditions in the world. This means Canadians need quality winter tires to make it home safely.

Many regions have laws mandating the use of winter tires during the colder months to improve road safety and prevent accidents.

Choosing the best SUV  that offers excellent performance, safety features, and handling in snowy and icy conditions and equipping it with top-quality winter tires can enhance your winter driving experience.

It also means there’s a myriad of choices on the market. Navigating through this maze and coming up with trumps isn’t a feat for the faint-hearted.

Therefore, this article will review the best winter tires in Canada and describe what to look for in a winter tire.

Now, let’s slide down this slippery slope.

The Best Winter Tires Canada

• Best for All-Season Performance: Falken Ziex ZE950 All-Season Radial Tire
• Best for Ice Control: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire
• Best for Traction in Heavy Snow: MAZZINI SNOWLEOPARD TOURING PASSANGER WINTER TIRE 205/55R16
• Best for Wet Grip: Michelin Premier A/S Touring Radial Tire – 195/65R15 91H
• Best for Classic Cars: Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T Radial Tire – P235/60R15 98T

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire is a formidable choice for those seeking enhanced vehicular control in adverse winter conditions.

This tire is specifically designed for snowy and icy environments, providing exceptional traction and reliable handling for your car or minivan. It has innovative features like bit particles for improved traction, offering a safe and dependable driving experience.

Key Features

• Superior control on icy surfaces for improved safety.
• The exceptional stopping power on snow and ice enhances vehicular control.
• Reliable handling in harsh winter conditions for a stress-free driving experience.
• Innovative bit particles for enhanced traction on icy surfaces.
• Vehicle-specific fit for optimal performance.
• The impressive load capacity of 1874 pounds ensures durability and longevity.

Pros

• Enhanced control and safety on icy and snowy roads.
• Exceptional stopping power, decreasing chances of skidding or accidents.
• Durable and long-lasting, even under harsh weather conditions.
• Enhanced traction, providing a smooth driving experience.
• Large load capacity ensures the tire can withstand heavy use.

Cons

• It may not be suitable for regions with mild winters.
• Specific vehicle fit might not be compatible with all car models.

Why the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire Is a Good Choice?

In our experience, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire truly lives up to its promises. Its grip on icy and snowy roads is unparalleled, offering us peace of mind knowing we have optimal control over our vehicle.

Its robust build and high load capacity speak volumes about its durability, assuring us it’s built to last. Notably, the tire’s stopping power on snow and ice is noteworthy, minimizing skidding and adding a layer of safety.

Including bit particles for increased traction on icy roads further boosts its performance, allowing us to navigate even the harshest winter conditions smoothly. Despite the potential limitations on vehicle compatibility and suitability for milder winters, its features overwhelmingly contribute to a safer and more comfortable winter driving experience, making it an excellent choice for regions experiencing harsh winters.

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T Radial Tire – P235/60R15 98T

If you’re a driver who prioritizes performance and durability, the Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T Radial Tire is an excellent option.

This tire uses radial construction and an all-season performance tread to provide a smooth ride and high mileage, no matter the weather. It works well with muscle cars due to its flat tread profile, which improves handling and wear.

Additionally, it has raised white letters and stylized Blackwall that add to its aesthetic appeal, resulting in a great combination of style and functionality.

Key Features

• Radial construction contributes to high mileage and a smooth ride.
• A flat tread profile enhances handling and wear, providing superior control.
• M & S rated all-season performance tread ensures optimal performance regardless of weather conditions.
• T speed rated up to 118 mph, supporting high-speed driving.
• Raised white letters and stylized blackwall add a sleek aesthetic touch.

Pros

• High mileage performance, ensuring long-lasting use.
• Provides a smooth ride regardless of road conditions.
• Excellent handling due to its flat tread profile.
• All-season performance tread, making it versatile for varying weather conditions.
• High-speed rating, perfect for fast-paced driving.

Cons

• The specific design may only fit some vehicle types.
• There may be better choices for extremely icy or snowy conditions.

Why the Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T Radial Tire – P235/60R15 98T Is a Good Choice?

In our experience, the Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T Radial Tire stands out due to its exceptional durability and performance. We were particularly impressed by its radial construction, which provides high mileage and a smooth ride, making long journeys more comfortable.

Additionally, its all-season performance tread indeed does perform in various weather conditions, offering flexibility.

The flat tread profile contributes to superior handling and wear, making it a reliable choice for daily commutes and high-speed adventures.

While it may not be the best option for frigid climates or all vehicle types, its advantages significantly outweigh the limitations.

Its blend of performance, style, and durability makes it a commendable option for drivers of muscle cars and other compatible vehicles.

Falken Ziex ZE950 All-Season Radial Tire – 215/50R17 91W

The Falken Ziex ZE950 All-Season Radial Tire is an exceptional choice for drivers seeking all-season high performance.

Equipped with Falken’s exclusive Dynamic Range Technology (DRT) and a fresh silica tread compound, this tire provides excellent levels of grip in various conditions, including dry, wet, ice, and snow.

Whether you’re driving a sedan, sports car, or crossover vehicle, the ZE950 is designed to offer top-notch performance and long-lasting mileage.

Key Features

• Utilizes 3D Canyon sipe technology for improved ice braking and better handling.
• Wide angled tread slot enhances snow grip by allowing snow to be packed into the tire’s center.
• Features sculptured groove wall for superior snow grip and elimination of rain groove wander.
• Equipped with wide circumferential grooves to effectively evacuate water and enhance wet handling.
• In its construction, Falken’s exclusive Dynamic Range Technology and a silica tread compound ensure excellent grip across all conditions.

Pros

• Exceptional all-season performance for versatile driving experiences.
• Advanced technology implementation for superior ice braking and handling.
• Excellent wet and snow grip for safer and more confident rides.
• Offers one of the most extended mileage of any Falken high-performance tire.
• Wide range of fitments, from family sedans to crossover vehicles.

Cons

• Performance might be slightly less in extreme winter conditions than dedicated winter tires.
• Given its high-performance nature, it may wear more quickly than regular, less sport-oriented tires.

Why the Falken Ziex ZE950 All-Season Radial Tire Is a Good Choice?

Based on our evaluation, the Falken Ziex ZE950 All-Season Radial Tire is a standout choice due to its blend of all-season performance and high-mileage durability.

We were impressed by its capability to handle a broad spectrum of weather conditions, from dry to wet and snowy, thanks to its advanced 3D Canyon sipe technology and dynamic range technology.

Its ability to enhance wet handling and provide superior snow grip is also noteworthy, giving you confidence in less-than-ideal driving conditions.

Despite the slight trade-off in tire wear for high-performance tires, the overall performance, versatility, and wide range of fitments make the Falken Ziex ZE950 a top contender for those looking to combine daily practicality with spirited driving.

MAZZINI SNOWLEOPARD TOURING PASSANGER WINTER TIRE 205/55R16

The Mazzini Snowleopard Touring Passenger Winter Tire 205/55R16 is designed for those who seek reliable winter traction and a comfortable ride.

This tire is built with directional tread and provides efficient water and slush evacuation for a safer driving experience. With a speed rating of T, it balances comfort and safety for everyday driving while keeping a good grip on the road during the colder months.

This tire’s aspect ratio and section width are precisely calibrated to offer an optimal balance between performance and ride comfort, making it suitable for a wide range of passenger vehicles.

Key Features

• Size of 205/55R16 suitable for a wide array of passenger vehicles.
• Directional tread type for efficient water and slush evacuation.
• T speed rating, balancing daily driving comfort with winter safety.
• Ideal section width and tire aspect ratio for performance and comfort.
• It has a rim width of 16 inches, offering stability and control.

Pros

• Reliable winter traction helps ensure safety during colder months.
• Comfortable ride quality thanks to its optimal aspect ratio and section width.
• Efficient water and slush evacuation due to its directional tread type.
• Compatible with a wide range of passenger vehicles due to its 205/55R16 size.
• Durable and sturdy with a high load index of 91.00.

Cons

• They may not perform as well in summer conditions as dedicated summer tires.
• The tread pattern may be noisy at higher speeds.

Why the Mazzini Snowleopard Touring Passenger Winter Tire 205/55R16 Is a Good Choice?

The Mazzini Snowleopard Touring Passenger Winter Tire 205/55R16 stands out for its winter performance and comfort. It offers a secure grip and reliable traction in challenging winter conditions, which is crucial for maintaining safety on the road.

Moreover, the tire’s directional tread pattern is adept at handling slushy and wet roads, making it a practical choice for regions with frequent snowfall.

Even though it might not excel as much in summer conditions and could be slightly noisier at high speeds, the overall comfort, safety features, and winter performance make it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and cost-effective winter tire.

Michelin Premier A/S Touring Radial Tire – 195/65R15 91H

The Michelin Premier A/S Touring Radial Tire is an all-season tire featuring a 195/65R15 size and an H speed rating, making it an ideal fit for a diverse range of passenger cars.

Renowned for its shorter stopping distance and excellent wet grip, it enhances the safety of your vehicle in challenging weather conditions.

The tire is designed with EverGrip Technology, which includes extreme amounts of silica in the tread compound to offer optimal wet grip for everyday handling.

Furthermore, this tire’s sunflower oil components keep the EverGrip compound flexible in lower temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in colder climates.

Key Features

• The tire size of 195/65R15 is versatile and fits a wide array of vehicles.
• H speed rating, balancing high-speed performance and safety.
• The asymmetrical tread type provides balanced dry and wet traction.
• Advanced EverGrip Technology for exceptional grip in wet conditions.
• Use of Sunflower Oil in the compound to maintain flexibility in cold temperatures.

Pros

• Excellent wet grip and traction due to EverGrip Technology.
• Shorter stopping distance, enhancing safety.
• Designed for winter performance with flexibility in lower temperatures.
• Quiet and comfortable ride thanks to Michelin Comfort Control Technology.
• The high load index of 91.0 for sturdy and reliable performance.

Cons

• It may not provide superior performance on off-road surfaces.
• Tread life might be less compared to some long-wearing alternatives.

Why the Michelin Premier A/S Touring Radial Tire – 195/65R15 91H Is a Good Choice?

The Michelin Premier A/S Touring Radial Tire stands out for its exceptional grip and reliable performance in wet and winter conditions. We appreciate EverGrip technology, which utilizes a high silica content to maintain traction even as the tire wears, enhancing its safety.

Additionally, the tire’s ability to stay flexible in colder temperatures is remarkable, leading to consistent performance throughout the winter.

With the comfort and reduced road noise offered by Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology, it’s a dependable option for those seeking a balance of comfort and safety in all seasons.

Although it may not be the best for off-road or ultra-long tread life, its advantages make it an excellent choice for daily driving in diverse weather conditions.

First Time Buying a Winter Tire? Here Is a Buyer’s Guide for You!

Size

First and foremost, it is the size. You can check the optimal size by looking at the tire’s sidewall. They are in the form of letters and numbers.

For example, when buying a set of winter tires, we recommend you think of narrower treads. The reason is that they provide better traction and control on icy roads.

Seeing the Tires

If you have time, you should go to a tire store to see the winter tires yourself. It does not mean you must buy them in the stores as they generally have higher prices.

However, touching the tires will give you a vague idea of their lateral stiffness and flexibility. So, ride to a store and see it yourself.

Snow Tires

Snow tires are usually better than ice tires. They give you higher control and excellent traction. Ice tires are good if you are winter driving on the highways.

However, depending on your budget, you might consider buying a set of reinforced deep snow tires for maximum control when taking a turn.

Mixing the Tires

So, you have a flat tire in the whole set of tires and want to change only one? That would indeed be a bad idea.

Do not mix unless you want to decrease your handling; more importantly, the differential will have to endure more stress, which might cause more significant problems in the long run.