As you already know, wintry precipitation (snow and ice) can play havoc on the roads and make the already tough driving conditions even more dangerous. These conditions lead to thousands of accidents each winter but the good news is that many such accidents can be avoided by having the right set of tires.
The right set is dependent on your local climate but will normally fall into one of two categories – All Season Tires or Winter Tires (also referred to as snow tires). If you are unsure of which category of tire is best for you this winter, click over to – Winter Tires – Do They Make Sense For Me?
The list below highlights some of the top performing winter tires and all-season tires for driving on ice and snow.
BEST SNOW TIRES
Michelin X-Ice Xi2 – Michelin’s FleX-Ice is regarded as one of the best snow tires in the market today. It is a directional tire that offers “excellent” 
snow traction and ice braking performance. The tire provides firmness at higher temperatures for wet and dry road stability while remaining flexible at lower temperatures to enhance packed snow and ice traction. The tire’s Cross Z-sipes throughout its independent shoulder and intermediate tread blocks deliver exceptional snow and ice traction. Additionally, the sipes also help improve tread and shoulder block stability to provide the lateral and longitudinal stiffness that enhances driving precision on dry and wet roads.
Michelin X-Ice Xi2 winter tires come branded with a mountain/snowflake symbol that indicates that the tire meets the US tire industry’s severe snow service requirements.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 – Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 is a studless snow tire that 
provides “excellent” snow traction and ice braking performance (superior to all-season tires and close to the performance of studded tires). The Blizzak WS-60 sports 3-D zigzag sipes & independent tread blocks that add durability and offer excellent performance on snow and ice. This tire is constructed with Tube Multicell ® compound that removes thin layer of surface water by using millions of microscopic pores in the compound. Many automotive enthusiasts rate Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 as one of the top winter tires.
General Altimax Arctic - General AltiMAX Arctic tires offer a directional pattern and a 
Center Stability Rib tread design which offers excellent water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance on wet roads and fantastic straight-line stability control on dry roads. The AltiMAX Arctic radial’s 270-degrees of high-density siping across the face of the tire enhances snow traction when accelerating, cornering or braking. This tire is expected to offer “excellent” snow traction and “above average” ice braking capability. General AltiMAX Arctic tires meet the industry’s severe snow service requirements and are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol.
Also, this tire offers drivers the option of adding alternating rows of metal studs in the shoulder and intermediate tread blocks to increase traction on hard packed snow and icy roads. However, please remember that driving on studded tires is only allowed during certain months and only in certain parts of the country. So, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before adding metal studs to these tires.
Nokian Hakkepelitta 5 - The Hakkapeliitta 5 is a studded winter tire made by Nokian 
(a Finnish company). This tire is intended for use in dry and wet conditions, and wintry snow and ice. The Hakkapeliitta 5 comes factory studded with fluted, square-shaped stud pins that always point in the driving direction ensuring excellent ice grip and lateral stability. The tread blocks feature a sharp, bear claw-like projection circled by siping, which optimally positions and supports the studs. This is one of the quietest studded tires in its class and it is also environment friendly (made with purified canola oils). The Hakkapeliitta 5 is rated for Severe Snow and expected to provide “excellent” snow traction and “above-average” ice braking performance.
BEST ALL-SEASON TIRES (for winter driving)
Hankook Optimo H727 - The Optimo H727 features a symmetric tread design with 
hundreds of tapered lateral slots and a continuous center rib. The high-density sipes enhances traction in winter conditions while four circumferential grooves help evacuate water from under the footprint to resist hydroplaning on wet roads. This tire is expected to offer “above average” snow traction and ice braking and is also rated highly by consumer reports. The Hankook is considered one of the best tires for winter driving in the all season tire category.
Continental Pro Contact w/ eco plus -The ProContact with EcoPlus Technology 
tire’s all-season tread compound offers improved treadwear, fuel efficiency and traction on slippery roads. The tire offers a symmetric design that provides continuous tread contact with the road to enhance steering response and handling while its wide circumferential grooves promote hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Continental’s PROactive Edge Technology brings more active edges into the contact patch to promote foul-weather traction. This tire is expected to offer “above average” ice braking capability and “average” snow traction performance.
Cooper CS4 Touring – The CS4 Touring tire offers strong wet and 
dry performance for drivers who want optimum ride comfort, sporty handling, and all-season traction. It is a good choice for consumers interested in a competitively priced entry-level luxury, touring tire. Cooper CS4 Touring is expected to offer “above-average” snow traction with “average” ice braking performance.
BFGoodrich Traction TA - BFGoodrich Traction TA is designed 
to provide wet, dry and snow-traction 365 days a year. The tire is constructed with premium high-silica that helps in providing good snow traction. The directional tread pattern helps increase water evacuation for improved wet traction. The Traction T/A is expected to offer “average” snow traction and ice braking capability.
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