The 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol, Explained
Shopping for winter tires in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo or Guelph? Before you compare brands or prices, look at the sidewall for one small picture: a mountain with three peaks and a snowflake inside it. It's called the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, and it's the quickest way to tell whether a tire was built for real Ontario winters.
What the symbol means
The Government of Ontario says the easiest way to know a tire has been designed specifically for severe snow conditions is to look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol right on the tire. Transport Canada gives the same advice: tires marked with this symbol meet specific snow traction performance requirements and were designed for use in severe snow.
Transport Canada calls it the Alpine symbol. Under its standard, the mountain has three peaks with the middle one tallest, and a six-sided snowflake sits inside.
How a tire earns it
According to a Transport Canada briefing on winter tires, a winter tire has to be traction-tested on medium packed snow and reach a traction index of at least 110 compared with a reference test tire. In other words, it needs at least 10% more snow traction than the reference tire. Manufacturers must certify that their winter tires pass this test, and then they may display the symbol.
Canada's winter tire standards have been in place since 1999 and were made stricter in 2013. They're fully aligned with the United States. Transport Canada also runs its own compliance testing: since 2014 it has tested more than 60 winter tire models carrying the symbol, and only one failed, which led to a recall.
What the symbol doesn't tell you
It's a snow test, not an ice test. Transport Canada notes that there's no government standard for winter tire performance on ice in Canada, the United States or the European Union, so claims about ice grip come from the manufacturer.
It doesn't mean the tire is still safe to use. Transport Canada advises against using tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32") of tread depth on snow-covered roads, no matter what symbol is on the sidewall.
It's not a guarantee on its own. In a 2024–2025 consultation, Transport Canada said it had found the logo on some tires that don't meet the winter tire test criteria, and proposed rules so the logo can only be used when the snow traction requirements are met.
Why it matters once the temperature drops
Ontario says all-season tires are not the same as winter tires and can start to lose grip at 7°C. Transport Canada explains that below 7°C, all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity, while winter tires stay flexible and keep their grip at much lower temperatures. Ontario adds that winter tires can shorten braking distances by as much as 25%.
Ontario also notes you could get a discount on your auto insurance with winter tires, so it's worth asking your insurance provider.
Quick checklist when you shop
Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall.
Buy a full set of four. Both Ontario and Transport Canada say to install winter tires in sets of four and not to mix different types of tires on one vehicle.
Match the size, speed rating and load index to your vehicle's tire information label, usually on the edge of the driver's door or the door post.
Check the tread on any winter tires you already own before the first snowfall.
Winter tires at SVS Tires & Wheels
Browse our winter tires or use the Find Tires by Size search to see options for your vehicle. Watching your budget? Take a look at our new economy tires. We never sell used tires. If you'd like a dedicated winter set that's quicker to swap each season, ask about a wheel and tire package.
Already have winter tires? Book a seasonal tire swap and ask about tire storage for your summer set. Every install is balanced with Road Force balancing equipment, and we service TPMS sensors as part of every tire installation.
Visit SVS Tires & Wheels at Units 7-8, 990 Bishop St N, Cambridge, ON N3H 4V7. We're open Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Call 519-267-4200 or book online.
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