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The Best Winter Tires in 2025-2026

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Éric Descarries
Here are our recommendations for winter tires this year
The Viking 8
The Viking 8 | Photo: Continental

Continental
Even though Continental comes to us from Germany, the brand knows how to produce excellent winter tires, including the IceContact XTRM, which were developed with the help of Quebec technicians.

This year, Continental is offering a new version of the Viking 8, which we were able to put to the test last winter on the icy and snowy ICAR circuit in Mirabel, at the same time as its new SecureContact.

Guess on which brand of car I was able to try the Contact Viking 8 for the first time?
Guess on which brand of car I was able to try the Contact Viking 8 for the first time? | Photo: E.Descarries
Honda had equipped its Acura RDX press SUV with Continental IceContact tires during my test.
Honda had equipped its Acura RDX press SUV with Continental IceContact tires during my test. | Photo: E.Descarries

Pirelli
This year, Italian tire giant Pirelli is launching its new Ice Friction, which I also got to try on the snowy and icy track at ICAR in Mirabel. I was able to drive most of the brand's products, but the Ice Friction was the most impressive.

I was able to try the new Pirelli Ice Friction on a Rogue during its winter tire presentation last winter at ICAR.
I was able to try the new Pirelli Ice Friction on a Rogue during its winter tire presentation last winter at ICAR. | Photo: E.Descarries

It's worth mentioning that Pirelli also offers the Ice Zero, P Zero Winter 2 and the more modest Cinturato 2 winter tires. All are worth considering depending on the vehicle you plan to equip.

At the same time, I reacquainted myself with the Sottozero III behind the wheel of a Polestar.
At the same time, I reacquainted myself with the Sottozero III behind the wheel of a Polestar. | Photo: E.Descarries
Éric Descarries
Éric Descarries
Automotive expert
  • More than 41 years of experience as an automotive journalist
  • Over 55 test drives in the past year
  • Attended more than 200 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists