Continental
Since last year, this German brand has been offering a winter tire specifically adapted for Canadians (but especially for Quebecers since it was developed with the help of Pneus Touchette of Montreal), the IceContact XTRM. The manufacturer allowed us to discover it in the middle of a storm during a winter day at the ICAR circuit in its two forms, i.e. studded (the studs are glued in their cell to avoid being ejected) and without studs.
Obviously, the studded versions proved to be very effective on the icy test surface. However, after a comparative test of the two tires on similar Volkswagens on the icy surface, I was not surprised to find that the studless tires could almost keep up with the studded XTRMs in all exercises. So I ordered four of these tires for my 2017 Ford Escape.
Last winter, ice driving opportunities were more scarce then usual, but still, thanks to the IceContact XTRMs' relatively aggressive tread and the vehicle's all-wheel drive, the Escape performed admirably in the snow. Note that the little SUV also has to drive on more slippery highway surfaces; in this context, the IceContact XTRM proved to be most stable and reliable. In the past, I've never been very fond of Continental tires, but this time, with this version made for our market, I can recommend them, especially for slightly smaller vehicles!
If you're on a budget, check out General Tire, Continental's partner, whose Altimax Arctic 12 model is certainly not to be ignored (they're also available in studded version). The Continental group also includes the Swedish Gislaved tires, but availability of this brand is rather limited.
