Winter Wheels And Tires: Understanding Alberta’s Laws
There are plenty of adventures to be had around Calgary and something as small as the weather shouldn’t stop you from having them. When it comes to a winter road trip, winter tires are a must-have. In fact, eight in ten Canadians believe their equipped winter tires saved them from being involved in a serious accident.
At Ascent Car Rental, every vehicle in our winter fleet is equipped with proper winter tires, so you can drive with confidence no matter the conditions.
Are Winter Tires Compulsory In Alberta?
No. They aren’t. Unlike British Columbia and Quebec, there is no province-wide mandatory winter tire law. While you can legally get away with all-season or all-weather tires year-round, Alberta Transportation recommends using snow tires during the colder months so you have better control over your vehicle.
Basically, you can drive without them, but you shouldn’t.
While there’s no province-wide winter tire rule, federal park regulations require vehicles to have winter tires or carry tire chains from November to April. That means if you’re visiting places like Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and the Icefields Parkway, you could face fines between November 1 and March 31 or be asked to turn around, cutting your trip short.
Do All-Season Tires Count As Winter Tires?
Not really. They won’t perform as well when the temperatures dip. Here’s how different types of tires work when it’s cold.
All-Season Tires:
All-season tires work well in moderate climates and handle a bit of slush. However, the rubber starts to stiffen when temperatures drop below 7°C which means you start losing grip and traction.
All-Weather Tires:
These tires have better traction than all-season tires and carry the Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. However, they aren’t as good as proper winter tires when it gets extremely cold.
Winter Tires:
They also carry the 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall but the rubber they are made of is different, designed to stay pliable in temperatures that go well below freezing. Designed for severe winters, you get the grip you need in extreme conditions.
At Ascent Car Rental, we don’t compromise on safety — all our winter vehicles are fitted with certified 3PMSF winter tires, not just all-season or all-weather options.
What This Means For You As A Driver
Good all-season or all-weather tires suffice if you mainly drive on city roads that are cleared regularly, providing you check your wheel alignment, tire pressure, and tread depth regularly throughout winter. But if you’re heading into mountain passes or places with heavy snow and ice, winter tires (or all-weather tires rated for severe snow) are the safer choice.
If you’re driving in from outside the province, planning on traversing remote highways, or renting a vehicle, winter tires are always the safest bet.
It’s understandable if you do not want to purchase snow tires and rims if you mainly use your car in the city. That’s when renting a car for your road trip takes care of your winter tire woes for you.
When To Switch To Winter Tires In Alberta
Alberta doesn’t have set dates for when winter tires must be installed. Experts recommend that you make the switch when daily temperatures start dropping below 7°C so you are ready when the first snowfall arrives.
When you rent with Ascent, you don’t need to worry about the timing, we take care of watching the weather and prepping our fleet for you.
What About Tire Chains?
There are no snow chain regulations in Alberta. However, they can come in handy when you are travelling in heavy snow conditions on mountainous routes. Let us know if you need snow chains when you book your car and we’ll have them waiting in your vehicle for you.
Ascent Car Rental Prioritizes Winter Tires
Most car rental companies offer vehicles that are equipped with all-weather tires and equip winter tires if you ask in advance or for an extra fee. At Ascent, we believe you shouldn’t be restricted by your tires when you choose to drive one of our vehicles. That’s why we:
- Kit all our cars with proper winter tires every year.
- Inspect each vehicle and its tires before handing it over to you.
We equip our vehicles to keep you as safe as we can when you’re out exploring Alberta so you can enjoy your time on the road without giving tire treads a second thought.
Book your car online or give us a call today!