ann m

sharkus

Ask if the vehicle has M+S (mud + snow/all season tires) tires on it, as that seems to be the minimum requirement according to this: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/t...t-winter-tires
It might be worth calling your insurance company and see what they have to say about it.

Danny B

As long as the tyres have M&S on the sidewall they are 100% legal in BC. Obviously you should try and get tyres with the 3-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol (some manufacturers label with both the mountain snowflake and the M+S symbol) but rental places usually charge an extra $10 per day for those.

Keep an eye on the cameras the morning before you leave and see how it looks, if there is snow, I wouldn't drive on just M&S tyres. B.C. Highway Cams

scilly

There have already been Special Weather Warnings regarding snow on high mountain passes in BC.

Remember, you have to cross at least 4 mountain ranges between the BC/Alberta border and Vancouver. That doesn't count getting through the Rockies in Alberta!

There were blizzard conditions in the Banff area last week.

Like Danny B, I would not recommend driving on M&S tires if there is snow.

We always had winter tires (in the old description) plus chains when driving outside the Lower Mainland in winter ....... and we did that a lot! Now we only have M&S because we do not intend on driving outside Vancouver ..... OH would get the M + snow ones if we thought of even going up to Whistler.

The fine for not having the correct tires is pretty high!

scilly

Another thought ...............

how many people will you be carrying in the van??

withabix

Most tyres are M+S as standard now, except on 'sports' cars. They must have at least 3.5mm tread to still be M+S rated.

The fine for having lesser tyres is $121 and you will get turned around if caught. They do road block inspections quite regularly.

Personally, I wouldn't do the mountain passes with M+S tyres unless it was unavoidable. I get Snowflake tyres put on my work truck every October. The grip is MUCH better.

Danny B

I thought I would mention this just in case you were pondering the idea. My Wife works at Canadian Tire in Kamloops, she used to get people returning unopened snow chains from the lower mainland at least once per day. Crappy Tire has now changed the rules. Once you buy snow chains, you own them for life. NO RETURNS, EXCHANGE ONLY WITHIN 24hrs.

No more buying them just in case and returning them once you have made the journey.

beckiwoo

scrubbedexpat091

The ones we bought for our trip last Jan were 140.

Got them on Amazon who does accept returns on them within their return period. We never used them so returned them.

scilly

Note that you don't even have to be stopped at a road block inspection to be stopped by the police for a tire check.

If they suspect that you are having trouble driving in the conditions, or are holding up traffic, or heaven forbid are IN an accident, they'll hit you with the fine, make you turn around or not continue until you do get the correct tires for the conditions ..... and with any other penalty that they can.


Have you tried other car rental agencies to see their policies. It does seem rather idiotic of hertz, seeing where you are!

beckiwoo

That is not bad!

I have been quoted over $1000 for all seasons with the M+S and snowflake symbol (my budget was $800).

Mine currently have M+S. Its been taken up to Whistler towards the end of the season but thats it.

scrubbedexpat091

I think we paid $800 and some change for KUMHO SOLUS all weather tires a couple years back, they have the mountain peak. We never drove any mountain passes in snow though so no idea how they would perform.

Had to get the chains as there are spots in Oregon and California through the mountains where chains may be required and winter tires alone are not sufficient.

If travelling through mountain regions of WA, OR and CA in winter always have chains.

scilly

Same applies to all the mountain passes in BC and in the Rockies.

We've even had to put them on on several occasions in the past.

But the chains MUST fit the tires that are on your car, so you have to make sure that you buy the correct size.

beckiwoo

Getting back to the OP's question about rental cars not having snow tires.

Interestingly, me and a girlfriend hired a truck from Edmonton to drive all the way to Calgary and to Banff in March 2017. I thought for sure the truck would have snow tires on but the rental company said it was more money. No issues with the drive itself but trying to park the truck in Sunshine Village's car park was sketchy and the wheels struggled on the ice surface. Not something I would want to repeat again without the proper tires

ann m

Thank you all for your thoughts.
The rental company (and several we have tried) essentially don't care. We're hiring out of Calgary and winter tyres are not essential so they have no interest in providing them. They obviously don't care where you are driving to.
I doubt it, but we'll ask if they can provide chains.

Hmmm, decisions 🤨. Bugger.