Winter-tire requirements take effect on the Sea to Sky Highway on Thursday, October 1, and remain in force through March 31.
The mandatory winter-tire zone on Highway 99 begins just north of Horseshoe Bay and applies to drivers travelling toward Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. Drivers must obey the regulatory signs posted along the route.
For passenger vehicles and light trucks, a legal winter tire must carry either the M+S marking or the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol. The tires must also have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread depth.
M+S is legal, but the mountain-snowflake tire performs better
Both types meet B.C.’s legal requirement, but Road Safety at Work says they do not offer the same performance in colder and more difficult conditions.
“Winter tires aren’t just for snow,” said Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work. “They give you more grip and control when temperatures drop below 7 C, which can happen long before the first snowfall.”
Road Safety at Work recommends tires displaying the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol for Sea to Sky winter travel. These tires are engineered to remain flexible in cold temperatures and provide better grip while braking and cornering on cold, wet, snowy or icy roads.
M+S tires satisfy the minimum legal standard and may be suitable for milder conditions such as rain, slush or quickly melting snow. Their grip and traction can decline when temperatures fall below 7 C.
Check all four tires before travelling
Drivers putting an existing set of winter tires back on their vehicle should inspect the tires before installation. Although the legal tread-depth minimum is 3.5 millimetres, Road Safety at Work recommends at least 6.5 millimetres for better traction when responding to sudden hazards.
Drivers should also look for uneven wear, missing pieces of rubber and other damage, and have questionable tires inspected by a qualified tire technician. Four matching winter tires should be installed because mixing winter and non-winter tires can reduce a vehicle’s stability and control.
Tire pressure should be checked regularly. Cold weather can reduce pressure, potentially increasing braking distance and affecting steering and handling.
Police and provincial enforcement officers may prevent a vehicle without compliant tires from continuing past a winter-tire sign.
The October 1-to-March 31 dates apply to the Sea to Sky Highway. Requirements on some other designated B.C. routes continue until April 30, so drivers travelling beyond the corridor should check the provincial winter-tire and chain-route map before leaving.
Commercial vehicles are subject to separate winter-tire and chain requirements.
