Just in time for seasonal weather and its attendant hazards, the widely respected Consumer Reports (CR) magazine has done a comparison of batteries and Winter tires in its November edition.
Before getting to specific recommendations on tires, CR pronounces in general on where to buy them. Tire dealers are best because they have the biggest selection and a knowledgeable staff. After that it's service stations with their limited stock and sales experience, and finally new car dealers, with the smallest selection and highest prices.
In terms of overall score, Michelin's Arctic Alpin brand was deemed to be the best Winter tire available in Canada, since it scored well into the Excellent range on the test. But the editors of the Canadian section of CR make the point that Goodyear's Ultra Grip Ice tire is a "notch" below the Michelin in the test and "a better value". The Michelin Arctic Alpin lists for $210 in Canada, while an Ultra Grip Ice tire can be had for $135. That's a considerable saving for four tires.
In order of finish, the other tires on the list (with CR score and a price in brackets) included Bridgestone Blissak WS-15 (Very Good, with no price available), Pirelli Winter Ice Plus (Very Good, at $160), Firestone Winterfire (Very Good, at $110), Dunlop Graspic HS-1 (Good, at $205 list), Yokohama Guardex 600 (Good, at $155), and Cooper Weather Master XGR (Good, at $90).