Winter driving · 2026-27 season
When do you need winter tires in BC?
On most designated BC highways, winter tires or chains are required from October 1 to April 30. On select routes that do not pass through mountain passes or high-snowfall areas, the requirement ends March 31 instead. Requirements are marked with regulatory signs at the start of each designated corridor and are enforced by police and ministry officials.
Winter tire dates by highway corridor
| Corridor | Highway | Section | Winter tire dates | Live status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malahat | Hwy 1 | Victoria – Duncan | Oct 1 – Mar 31 | Malahat status → |
| Coquihalla | Hwy 5 | Hope – Kamloops | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Coquihalla status → |
| Sea to Sky | Hwy 99 | Squamish – Whistler | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Sea to Sky status → |
| Fraser Canyon | Hwy 1 | Hope – Lytton | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Fraser Canyon status → |
| Hope-Princeton | Hwy 3 | Hope – Princeton (Allison Pass) | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Hope-Princeton status → |
| Okanagan Connector | Hwy 97C | Merritt – Kelowna | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Okanagan Connector status → |
| Kootenay Pass | Hwy 3 | Salmo – Creston | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Kootenay Pass status → |
| Rogers Pass | Hwy 1 | Revelstoke – Golden | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Rogers Pass status → |
| Kicking Horse Pass | Hwy 1 | Golden – Field | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | Kicking Horse Pass status → |
The Malahat is the only corridor in this network on the earlier March 31 end date, because it does not cross a mountain pass.
Dates can be extended at any time based on conditions. Always follow the posted signs at the start of a corridor — they take priority over the calendar.
What counts as a legal winter tire in BC
- The tire must carry either the 3-peaked mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) symbol or an M+S (mud and snow) marking on the sidewall.
- Minimum tread depth is 3.5 mm.
- The requirement applies to 2WD, AWD and 4WD vehicles alike — all-wheel drive does not exempt you.
What happens if you don't comply
- $121 fine for a passenger vehicle without winter tires on a designated route.
- Chain-related violations carry fines of up to $598.
- Drivers can be turned around at checkpoints on routes like the Coquihalla.
Where the rules do not apply
Most Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island city roads are not designated winter tire routes, so the provincial requirement does not apply there. Municipalities and private roads — including ski hill access roads — may set their own rules, which can be stricter than the provincial standard.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need winter tires in BC?
On most designated BC highways, winter tires or chains are required from October 1 to April 30. On select routes that do not pass through mountain passes or high-snowfall areas — including the Malahat on Hwy 1 between Victoria and Duncan — the requirement ends March 31 instead. Requirements are marked with regulatory signs at the start of each designated corridor.
Which BC highways require winter tires until April 30?
Every mountain-pass corridor in this network runs to April 30: the Coquihalla (Hwy 5), Sea to Sky (Hwy 99), Fraser Canyon (Hwy 1), Hope-Princeton (Hwy 3, Allison Pass), Okanagan Connector (Hwy 97C), Kootenay Pass (Hwy 3), Rogers Pass (Hwy 1) and Kicking Horse Pass (Hwy 1). The Malahat is the only listed corridor on the earlier March 31 end date.
What tires are legal for BC winter tire routes?
A legal winter tire carries either the 3-peaked mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) symbol or an M+S (mud and snow) marking on the sidewall, and must have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth. The requirement applies equally to 2WD, AWD and 4WD vehicles — all-wheel drive does not exempt you.
What is the fine for not having winter tires in BC?
Driving a passenger vehicle without winter tires on a designated route carries a $121 fine. Chain-related violations can reach $598. Drivers can also be turned around at checkpoints on routes such as the Coquihalla.
Source
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Designated Winter Tire and Chain Routes. Last verified August 2026.