Okay, apparently I have to copy and paste this out of the PDF that I linked to earlier.

Snow tires are mandatory between Oct 1 and April 30 on many major Interior highways. Going up the Coquihalla, you can even get turned back if you don't have a set of chains. In fact, any highway that has this sign:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/images/R-047.png

on it will usually have road safety checks during the winter and the MoT is allowed to refuse you the right to continue if you don't have winter tires or chains.

If you're on a road with this sign:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topi...es/W-041-4.png

it's more of a caution warning, like the yellow speed signs on on/off ramps.

Snow socks are crap. But, like any other set of chains, once you're out of the area where they're required, you take 'em off the tires anyway. You'll also destroy steel chains driving on clear pavement.

Yes you have to because I am to lazy to click.


I find it stupid you need chains to got to Port Alberni.

:facepalm: SO much fail.

NO YOU DO NOT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE WINTER TIRES ON TO DRIVE THE BC INTERIOR.

#1. See that little word there, "OR"?? That means if you CARRY chains (no, you don't have to have them on the tires the whole time), you aren't required to have winter tires.

#2. Unless conditions are nasty, nobody's going to give you grief, or even bother to check. When conditions get bad, they'll set up road checks, and turn back vehicles that don't have winter tires, OR have chains onboard. THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CHAINS ON RIGHT AWAY EITHER, but you have to have them with.

If you drive a lot, or if you ski and board, get winter tires. its the best investment. Putting on and taking of chains is a hassle and annoying. Good winter tires are a worthy investment even if they only get you out of a jam once a season.

You extend the life of your summer/all season tires, you hardly have to worry about weather when you are travelling and if anything happens you are covered.

A set of chains will get you out of a jam better than winter tires.

I had a group of friends last year that were stuck up on Brohm after sledding - was sunny through the day then heavy snow. The road was a sheet of ice under the snow and although they all had 4x4s with snow tires, they were sliding off the road. They called me, I took up an extra pair of chains and one by one they used those chains to get their trucks off the mountain. Good chains can cost up to $200 and you may never use them, but are worth every penny when you do need them. There are often many sets on Craigslist that are new - never used.

Highway 18 is a designated winter tires/chains route.

I drive that highway 2-3 times a week to visit my parents in Lake Cowichan.

Going from Michelin Hydroedges (M+S) to Nokian WR G2s (Snow tire) is a massive difference in the snow.

Very true, chains will probably get you unstuck better than just snowies.

But with winters on you can dig yourself out much faster. I used to have a 2007 camry and even in 2 feet of snow all I had to do was brush away the snow in front of the front bumper and as soon as I was moving my front bumper would just act as a snowplow (it was pretty funny to watch).

There are other "jams" i was referring to though, for example, there is no snow on the road but you hit some slippery sections, winter tires might be the difference between the ditch and simply driving onwards...

I've been turned away with brand new all seasons and chains before. And even with that, there are days on some of those roads I would never even think about driving without proper mountain rated tires and chains.

Okay, so it's not "mandatory" to have snow tires, but it's pretty silly to tackle the Show Shed in mid-January without them and chains. It really should be mandatory to drive on winter tires in much of the interior.

Studded Winters with AWD :fuckyea:

afaik ICBC can't deny you coverage because you don't have winter tires (may be with the exception of the highways which require snowies?)

Chains are not for snow, they are for ice. End of argument.

They work well on packed snow. There were more than a few nights I was the only truck on the road in Creekside headed to the pub in 18" of fresh snow and unplowed side roads. I couldn't make it up a couple hills without my chains

^ I'm sorry but a damn good set of snow tires (think DuraTracs/BFG All terrains) and 4x4 (NOT awd) with atleast one locker/limited slip and chains are redundant.

You answered your own question, outside the GVRD and that very limited list of roads, you can and will be denied coverage by ICBC if you get into an accident and do not have rated winter tires.

And no all seasons are not ALL SEASONS, and ICBC can and will say that to you. In BC all seasons are really just three seasons...

EDIT: this is how ICBC words it:

And since we all know ICBC is always looking to blame everyone involved in a crash so they can mitigate their losses, you will be blamed...