scrubbedexpat091

Unless mandated probably wont see winter tires on rental fleets on all cars, they will keep doing on a small scale and charging extra.

ann m

We would be willing to pay a little more but the option is not there so far.

We'll probably do one more round of phone calls, and then wing it!

Edo

Not everywhere in BC. Only if you are planning to drive up to Whistler and such. Mianland BC does not have any requirement for winter tyres (or tires).

scilly

Correction .................

The LOWER Mainland does not have any requirement for winter tires ................... but if it snows or becomes icy in Vancouver (not sure about the other cities in the Lower Mainland), and you cause an accident or hold up traffic by NOT having the correct tires, the police will fine you and MAY not allow you to drive your car.

You cannot go beyond HOPE without having the correct tires ............. and that means anywhere else in the rest of Mainland BC

The Lower Mainland is only one little tiny part of Mainland BC!!!

scrubbedexpat091

Handy dandy maps as well as some more info on winter driving requirements.

The way the signs are displayed and the way they word it on their online info, doesn't appear chains are a legal requirement for non-commercial passenger vehicles.






"While M+S tires with 3.5 mm tread is the minimum requirement for winter driving in B.C. it is highly recommended that you use mountain snowflake tires and carry chains while driving high mountain passes like the Coquihalla and the Malahat or anywhere that severe winter conditions are likely to occur."

Not sure highly recommended to carry chains is the same as legally required.

scilly

J ....

in years past, we found that chains were necessary in VANCOUVER when snow fell. They had to be removed as soon as the snow went as they are not allowed on bare tarmac in the city. Most people wouldn't know, but every exit road off the UBC campus is a downward hill, and every road from Marine Drive along Spanish Banks to the Museum is an upward hill!

It is true ........ chains are not mandatory for cars BUT they can be incredibly useful to have in the car for fitting on those mountain passes. Even mountain+snowflake tires may not be sufficient on some of those if there is deep snow or packed icy snow.

This may apply especially at the beginning of winter ............. when road maintenance companies may not have got their act together.

Much past experience as we've driven in winter confirmed that having contracted road maintenance carried out by private companies can, and often does, lead to varying conditions in the different areas. You can tell when you cross the "line" between one company and the next!

Some companies have been known not to respond to black ice conditions on mountain roads until they hear the first report of an accident to the police (they listen in to the police band). We were caught in one of those, skidded, turned 3 times, tipped in to the ditch on the upward side of the road and the car ended up on the passenger doors. Luckily no injuries other than bruises ............. but the second question the RCMP asked us was "Have you seen the sander go by?"

Answer ........ yes, about 10 minutes before you arrived.

Our accident was added to the list the RCMP was compiling and that company lost its contract the next spring.

caretaker

I've never had a set of snow tires. There's no denying that you can stop shorter with snow tires than with all-seasons, so if you can afford it and live somewhere that you need them have 2 sets of tires.

ann m

Piff Poff

Have a fabulous trip. You have picked a good week!