Do you live in a town, or rural??

Car rental companies do not put snow tires on their cars. I don't know why, but they don't. End of story.

This is an excellent article about winter driving in Canada, however:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...r.Driving.html

I can't view the video in my country apparently

Thanks for the link

Thanks to everyone else who gave useful advice

This is apparently not true.

Depending on location rental cars can be obtained with winter tires.

Snowdogs found that Budget offers cars with snow tires.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...1&postcount=63

But how do they get away with that. It is now law in BC to have winter tires fitted if you are travelling on mountainous roads. So if you pick up car at Vancouver airport and travel to Kelowna via the Coquihalla you are required by law to have these tires, in fact i don't think it's possible to get to Kelowna from Vancouver on any route without travelling over mountain roads at some point.
Do they only allow you to drive around downtown Vancouver?

Unless it's changed again very recently, isn't it law to have Winter Tires fitted or to carry chains?

Yes you're right but will the car hire companies be supplying chains in all vehicles and demonstrating how to fit them? I bet not.

I just had a moment when I regretted being in a rental car on all seasons. The roads are snow covered, not deep but enough that you can't see the lines. They're twisty. Two deer wandered across my path. I was just texting on my handheld, explaining about the deer, when a lunatic carrying a gun appeared in the middle of the road, marching toward me (and, I suppose toward the deer). I swerved and narrowly missed him, with better tyres I would have had the option of stopping.

you shouldn't have swerved ;0)

I have rented my car with Alamo.

I think I will call them and double check but I'm sure they don't offer winter tyres.

I wouldnt worry about it too much. its not like you HAVE to go anywhere...if conditions are bad enough that snow tires will make a critical difference, then just wait it out.

As others have pointed out, the problem with an Auto tranny is you cant avoid starting in 1st, unless it has a snow/ ice feature to have it start in a higher gear (some vehicles do)

On the other hand in an Auto you dont have to rev the engine and drop the clutch either, so just exercise restraint with you right foot and you will be OK. Most vehicles with automatics come with some form of traction control anyway.

The classic drawback of an auto is its harder to "rock" back and forth if you do get stuck, hopefully that wont be an issue.

Engine braking seems to vary from transmission to transmission. My Subaru seems to have some, but GMs I've driven have next to none. One usefull feature is that some auto transmissions have a button on the shifter to turn the overdrive off...this can act as an engine braking button in effect if your rental has it...

Bare in mind that the majority of Canadians manage to get around in Auto vehicles with all seasons...the most important thing is to engage your brain... Yes, snows will give you a better chance in extreme conditions, but drive sensibly and you will be OK, and if its really nasty, then just travel at a different time.

Some tips here:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2005/0...ing-tips-2.htm
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2005/0...iving-tips.htm
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2005/1...n-the-snow.htm

Switch off the ESP when moving off in deep snow or driving uphill in snowy conditions. Whilst left on, ESP has a tendency to fight against you as soon as it detects any slippage.

Here's a better tip. In winter, go on holiday to the Caribbean.