Best Winter Tire Deals in Canada for 2021

It’s that time of the year again! Daylight is dwindling, temperatures are dropping, and Canada’s geese are flying south. Winter is almost upon us, meaning snow, sleet, and slush will soon be decorating our roadways. 

The great debate of winter tires vs. all-season tires vs. all-weather tires will be a question crossing most shoppers’ minds. The right decision for you will depend not only on weather conditions in your region but also on what's required by law. 

In some parts of Canada, like Quebec and specific highways in British Columbia, winter tires are mandatory.

Fortunately for shoppers, there are lots of options out there, but it can be hard to cut through the noise to find a bargain. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best winter tire offers from Canadian retailers, plus a few of our own tire recommendations.

Costco tire deals

Everyone knows that Costco is a hotbed for amazing deals, and not just on bulk bags of almonds and jumbo packs of toilet paper. Costco also offers some amazing deals on winter tires. 

You can count on Costco for rotating deals on various tire brands. For example, right now you can save up to $130 on a set of four Michelin tires for a limited time.

What makes Costco such a popular destination for snow tire shopping is the wholesaler’s $19.99 per tire installation fee. This slim cost includes rotation, balancing, installation checks and flat repairs for the lifetime of the tire, a comprehensive mileage, road hazard, and manufacturer’s defects warranty, nitrogen tire inflation, and new tire stems.

The offer is valid across Canada, and you can minimize in-person wait times by ordering your tires and scheduling installation all online.

Our recommendations

BridgeStone Blizzak WS90: The BridgeStone Blizzak WS90 winter tires are designed to provide confident control and secure handling in snow and slush for passenger cars and minivans. The tires are backed by Bridgestone's Winter Tire Warranty for peace of mind with your purchase.

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: Built for high-performance vehicles, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5s offer improved braking on any type of winter road conditions, and its new directional tread pattern increases resistance to hydroplaning. A perfect style complement for BMWs, Audi, Mercedes and more. 

Canadian Tire special offers 

It wouldn’t be a Canadian winter tire roundup without Canadian Tire. For 2021, the nationwide retailer currently offers up to a $100 instant rebate when you buy a set of 4 qualifying tires from brands including Michelin, Continental, Cooper, and Pirelli. 

If you purchase, install, and balance your tires at Canadian Tire, you’ll qualify for their 6-year Tire Care Guarantee. This warranty provides free tire repair in the event of a puncture. It also covers any damage incurred to your vehicle due to the puncture, as well as impact breaks and manufacturing defects. 

For a small fee, Replacement Advantage coverage offers free tire replacement & spare tire change services.

This offer is valid across Canada. To minimize your wait time in the store, we suggest ordering winter tires online and scheduling your installation over the phone.  

Our recommendations

Michelin X-Ice® SNOW Winter: These winter tires have been graded by Canadian Tire with an impressive 98 on their Road Rated scale, meaning it gets 100% marks for snow and ice traction, and 98% on fuel economy. Perfect for your car, SUV, or CUV, the Michelin X-Ices also feature the “TESTED for Life in Canada” designation, plus a $100 rebate on qualifying purchase.

Continental VikingContact 7: For a higher end passenger tire, the Continental VikingContact 7 will make you road-ready in any winter wonderland. It features superb grip, tracking stability, and powerful traction & braking on icy roads. And with a name like VikingContact, how can you not feel confident? 

PMCtire’s free shipping & more

Like Costco, PMCtire allows you to shop for your new winter tires from the warmth and safety of your own home. What sets them apart from other online stores is their free shipping service for all orders with four tires to major cities across Canada. 

Some shipping costs will be included for remote destinations or heavier loads, but if you purchase a set of four tires and wheels, PMCtire will provide free mounting and balancing, so your parts are ready to install when shipped. This offer is valid across Canada.

PMCtire has an extensive stock list that lets you choose from a variety of premium and budget brands. They also help guide their customers through the tedious task of choosing the right tire by publishing an annual ranking of the year’s best-rated winter tire brands.

There’s no need to leave your couch, even if you hear of a cheaper deal somewhere down the street because PMCtires also price matches competitors and offers access to a list of eligible manufacturer mail-in rebates.

Our recommendations

Dunlop Winter Maxx 2: Ideal for sedans, coupes and crossovers, the Winter Maxx 2s are highly touted as a safe and durable tire for cold-weather conditions. They boast enhanced grip on ice and slush, plus a larger contact area for stability on the curves. These tires were a top-5 pick by PMCtire for a reason.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WR: For those driving SUVs and minivans, the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRs are high-end tires designed to conquer Canada’s toughest season. They feature “Winter Reactive Technology,” which provides excellent grip and traction on ice for confidence behind the wheel. Its rubber compound is designed for ice and snow, while the 3D interlocking shoulder sipes guarantee a secure grip and stability on corners.

Kal Tire’s mail-in & instant rebates

Kal Tire is promoting some very tempting mail-in & instant rebates with tire manufacturers including Nitto, Nokian, Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone, and more.

And, if you purchase your tires at a Kal Tire, you’ll receive a slew of other customer perks, such as Kal Tire’s loaded Customer Care Plan, which comes free with any tire purchase from one of their more than 250 locations across Canada. 

The plan includes a 30-day, no-hassle guarantee for peace of mind on new tire purchases. It also includes flat repairs, inflation, balancing, and rotations every 8,000 km for the life of your tires - all free of charge. 

On purchases of four eligible passenger or light truck winter tires, Kal Tire also offers a price match guarantee with competitors, including Costco, Canadian Tire, independent tire retailers and car dealerships.

Offers are valid across Canada, but the Price Match Program is only valid in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, NWT, and Yukon. The dealer/competitor must be within 100km of the store where you’re located. 

Keep in mind, Kal Tire has implemented many safety measures at their stores to protect team members and customers, so consider buying and booking online to minimize your time spent at their locations. 

Our recommendations

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded: Finland is a land of ice and snow, so who better to trust your winter tire needs to than a Finnish company like Nokian. The Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV Studded tires deliver firm grip and steady handling in extreme winter conditions. The double-stud technology will make some noise on bare pavement, but it’s a small sacrifice for ultimate peace of mind on snow, ice, or slush.

Sumitomo Ice Edge: Perhaps not as well-known as some of its peers, Sumitomo is one of the “preferred brands” available at Kal Tire. Its Ice Edge winter tires use cutting-edge 3D sipes tech and an aggressive tread to actively repel water and slush. Having earned a high rating from Kal Tire’s independent road testing crew, these tires are capable of driving in the worst of winter conditions. 

Online retailers offer up to 8% instant rebate

Online retailers Quattro Tires and 4Tires.ca are promoting themselves as a Canadian destination for winter tires at discount prices from all major brands, including BF Goodrich, Bridgestone Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, Firestone, Yokohama, and more.

The two tire retailers are in direct competition with each other, with both offering an 8% rebate on orders of $500 and up. Quattro is also offering an $80 rebate on tire and wheel packages, plus a healthy list of mail-in rebates. The company also offers a Protection Against Road Hazards giving you peace of mind against blowouts for the first year of your purchase.

For those concerned about health and safety, and minimizing exposure, an online retailer might just be exactly what you’re looking for, especially since both 4Tire and Quattro offer free delivery within certain parts of Canada.

Our recommendations

BF Goodrich Winter T/A KSI: Ranked fifth among 4Tires.ca’s top 20 winter tires for 2021/2022, the BF Goodrich Winter T/A delivers secure driving thanks to its “extreme traction” in snow, ice, and slush. Its saw-toothed grooves and added edges mean safe acceleration and cornering, while its serrated shoulder profile grabs into deep snow to give the driver control and confidence.

Pirelli Winter Ice Zero FR: Created by the Famed Italian tire company, Pirelli, the studless Winter Ice Zero FR tires feature a 3D sipes “butterfly design” on all tread patterns to enhance grip on all surfaces while delivering maximum traction and improved braking performance. These winter tires are best suited for premium sedans and SUVs that require high levels of stability and control.

Is it a good idea to buy used winter tires?

It’s equal parts odd and obvious to check the classifieds for pre-owned gems. 

This option will take some time and research, it can pay off. If you know what you’re looking for in terms of winter tire brands and size, scouring Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist for lightly used winter tires could save you about half of the money you’d typically spend on brand new winter tires. 

Keep an eye on these websites, especially in the fall season, as people who have recently purchased new vehicles may find that their old winter tires are the wrong fit and will often post them for resale.

However, always be cautious. Check the treadwear (see the toonie test below) and rim fit and ask the seller about any potential problems. Also be sure to recognize safe distancing and sanitizing when meeting potential sellers.

Get a rough estimate of tread depth with a quick toonie test

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Sometimes, you don’t need new tires to get you through winter, you need a new vehicle! Drive something you feel safe and cozy in with Canada Drives. Since 2010, we've been helping customers—facing all types of credit situations—to find great deals. Go to our online showroom and shop hundreds of certified vehicles today!