Directional tire, optimized for snow and ice; compared to  the X-Ice Xi2, this tire has a somewhat deeper tread and better traction in slush. Very good overall performance; a good choice for severe conditions. Expensive in Canada; Bridgestone sells to retailers for less in the U.S. market. $50 mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

Among Consumer Reports’ preferred tires in testing because of its superior performance on wet and dry roads and ride comfort. Optimized for ice and snow, this tire  was among the favorites with tire dealers and experts surveyed. However SEVERAL consumers have reported that adhesion in slush was unimpressive, and  that the shallow, conservative tread limits its traction in deep snow. Superior performance on pavement. Expensive. Mail-in rebate of $70 when you buy four tires. Tricky mileage warranty requires the tires to be virtual banana peels before you can collect. Michelin says the tire will be long wearing.

Tire optimized for deep snow and ice. One of the best choices at any price even though it is not the best performer on cleared or wet roads and can be noisier than average in some applications. Superior durability due to the deep tread and relatively long-wearing rubber compound. Well suited for heavy vehicles. This tire is being phased out in favour of the Toyo GSi-5. Mail-in rebate of $30 to $80 based on the tire diameter when you buy four tires.

Michelin’s second tier brand; this tire is a big improvement on the old Winter Slalom (not designated KSI). Good all around performance. Acceptable ice traction. Well-priced; this tire sold out early in autumn 2010. Mail-in rebate of $50 when you buy four tires.

Tire optimized for ice, effective in deep snow. The favourite in testing conducted by Tire Rack, the big U.S. retailer, because of its superior handling and balanced all-around performance. A very good alternative to the Michelin X-Ice Xi2, and offered at a lower price. Mail-in rebate of $40 when you buy four tires.

Factory studded tire only. Previously available without studs, this tire has been replaced by the ExtremeWinterContact. Mail-in rebate of $40 when you buy four tires. 

Good overall performance at a competitive price. Similar performance to the Yokohama Ice Guard IG20 below, the DS-3 is a bit more responsive on pavement, but has less traction on ice. Like the early ice tires dry road handling can feel unresponsive. Durable. Convenient instant rebate of $60 on a set of four. Recently available at Walmart in Canada at very low prices.

Very good in deep snow, and competent overall performance at a competitive price. A bit less grip on ice than the top-rated tires and tire noise can become noticeable as it wears. This tire was highly-rated by Consumer Reports and Tire Rack. Durable. No rebates in Canada – General offers an entry ballot for a Dream Vacation contest with the purchase of four tires. Can accept studs.

Very good in snow, good on ice. The tread design is similar to the General Altimax Arctic; performance on dry pavement should be a little more responsive. Can become noisy as it wears. Can accept studs.

Very good overall performance on snow and ice. Downgraded because some consumers reported the tire tracked poorly at highway speeds, particularly owners of Mazda3 cars. Mail-in rebate of $30 to $100 based on the tire diameter when you buy four tires.

Good deep snow traction; handling on dry pavement is inferior to the similar General Arctic Altimax. Fairly noisy. Pricing no longer advantageous. Can accept studs.

A quieter tire than the Goodyear Ultra Grip that features a deeper and more open tread design. Optimized for snow; undistinguished on ice, notwithstanding its name. Excellent durability and low price make it a favourite with taxis and some fleets. Being phased out in favour of Goodyear’s new Ultra Grip Ice WRT. Convenient $60 instant rebate when you buy four tires.

This tire has been on the market for a few years. Good snow traction, unexceptional in other conditions. Prices similar to higher-rated tires.

Year-round tire that meets the snow performance standard applicable to winter tires. A possible solution for the last year of your lease, if your original snow and summer tires have all worn out. APA members who used this tire were pleased with its winter performance when new; the 4-season rubber compound is likely a compromise on ice. Good handling on cleared roads for a winter tire. Not enough long-term information to predict its durability in extended summer driving. Very expensive.

Michelin’s lowest-priced brand, this is among the cheapest winter tires from a major tire maker, with the lowest price in this group. A redesign of the old Tiger Paw, the tread is now directional and of a design that appears similar to the Firestone Winterforce and General Altimax Arctic. Made in China; the uniformity of the small sample of tires examined was very good.

Goodyear’s lowest price snow tire offered exclusively at Canadian Tire and often on sale. The tire appears to be superior to the Kelly Snowtrakker below.

Goodyear’s budget brand. A popular tire in Quebec once-upon-a-time because it was manufactured in Valleyfield. The tread design and technology are dated. The deep tread ensures relatively good traction in snow, but performance on other surfaces lags. Noisy. The Goodyear Nordic available only at Canadian Tire seems like a better value. A viable option for drivers who are looking for a tire that can accept studs. Likely in its last year on the market.

These tires are made from a common mould, of the old-style clamshell type; the Dean is made in the US. Good grip in deep snow but performance on other surfaces lags. Reasonably durable. Pricing can be high for the older technology and quality of tire.

This Chinese-made off-brand tire is priced lower than all the other tires evaluated. A possible solution if you’re turning in your leased vehicle during its last winter, particularly if it is equipped with large original-equipment tires, where the savings can be substantial. Note that some lessors require a tire of like kind and quality as at delivery (except for tire wear, which can be “normal”), so check beforehand to ensure the Snowblazer will pass muster when you turn the car in. The private label importer has changed before; in the event of a large recall, there could be problems getting compensated.

Inexpensive private label import from Multi-Mile (TBC Corporation) of Memphis Tennessee. Decent traction in deep snow, below average on ice. Uneven wear can affect longevity. The APA’s reservations in the event of a major recall are similar to the Saxon above.