Winter 2020

If you live in Utah, you already know that winter weather can throw just about everything at you. One day you’re driving through light snow, the next you’re navigating icy conditions, and by the weekend you might be heading up the canyon for some off-road adventures. It’s no wonder so many drivers ask the same question: are all terrain tires good in snow?

The short answer is that A/T tires are designed to be versatile. They give you better traction than basic road tires and can handle a mix of on-road and off-road driving. But when it comes to snow, slush, and icy road surfaces, the story gets a little more complicated. Let’s break it down so you can decide if they’re the right fit for your winter driving needs.

What Makes All Terrain Tires Different

All terrain tires are built for drivers who want flexibility. If you’re splitting your time between paved highways and dirt roads, they’re a solid option. The design features that make them stand out include:

• Tread Pattern: A/T tires usually have aggressive tread blocks and wider voids, which help grip uneven road conditions like gravel or mud.
• Siping: Some add small cuts in the tread, called siping, which help improve traction on wet and icy roads.
• Tread Compound: The rubber compound used in A/T tires is stiffer than what you’d find in snow tires, which makes them more durable but less flexible in very cold conditions.

That combination makes these tires a solid year-round choice if you don’t want to swap tires every season. But when the snowfall starts piling up, their performance depends on a few key factors.

How All Terrain Tires Perform in Snow

When we talk about snow driving, we need to consider different situations: light snow, deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. Each one creates a unique challenge for traction and control.

Light Snow

Most  A/T tires handle light snow just fine. The tread blocks and siping can dig in enough to give you better traction than standard all-season tires. If you’re mostly driving around town and occasionally hitting snowy roads, you’ll probably feel confident.

Deep Snow

This is where they show their limitations. Deep snow requires a tire that can stay flexible in freezing temperatures and dig through the buildup. Dedicated snow tires or winter tires, like the Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin X-Ice, use special tread compounds that stay soft and grippy in cold conditions. Most all terrain tires don’t have that same rubber flexibility, so they can start to lose grip when the snow piles up.

Slush

A/T tires do a decent job in slush because of their wide voids. These channels push slushy water out from under the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. It’s one area where they can perform almost as well as some winter-specific options.

Icy Conditions

This is the toughest challenge for any tire type. Without studs or a dedicated winter tread design, ice can be slippery even for the best all-terrain tires. Snow tires are engineered with extra siping and softer compounds that bite into the ice better than most A/T options.

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Symbol

One of the best ways to check if an all terrain tire is built for serious winter driving is to look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) on the sidewall. This symbol means the tire has been tested and certified for severe snow conditions.

Not every all terrain tire carries this rating, but some do. If you want the versatility of all terrain tires and still need dependable winter performance, choosing one with this certification is a smart move.

All Terrain vs. Dedicated Winter Tires

No matter how advanced they get, all terrain tires aren’t a perfect substitute for a dedicated set of winter tires. Here’s why:

• Rubber Compound: Winter tires use special rubber that stays soft in cold conditions, giving better traction. A/T tires use a harder compound for durability, which can stiffen up in the cold.
• Tread Design: Snow tires have deeper siping and tread patterns designed specifically for gripping ice and snow. All terrain tires balance between road and off-road needs.
• Stopping Distance: In tests, a vehicle with snow tires consistently stops shorter on icy roads compared to one with all terrain tires.

That said, winter tires aren’t always convenient. Swapping tires every season, storing your set of winter tires, and paying for extra mounting can feel like a hassle. If you’re not driving in heavy snowfall or icy conditions often, A/T tires might strike the right balance for your lifestyle.

Popular All Terrain Tires in Snow

If you’re leaning toward all terrain tires for year-round use, some models stand out for their winter performance:

• Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac – Known for its aggressive tread and 3PMSF rating, it’s a favorite for trucks and Jeeps in snowy climates.
• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 – A legendary tire that balances off-road strength with solid winter traction, also 3PMSF certified.
• Toyo Open Country A/T III – Offers good siping and a tread design that performs well in snow and slush.
• Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 – Another 3PMSF-rated option with a focus on better traction in cold conditions.
• Michelin LTX A/T2 – More road-focused but still handles light snow reasonably well.

Pairing the right tire with your driving habits and the Utah winter conditions you face most often is key.

If you’re curious about how different cars perform in our heavy snows, check out this write-up on the best cars for snow in Utah’s winter wonderland: Conquer the Powder: The Best Cars for Snow in Utah’s Winter Wonderland.

Tips for Winter Driving on All Terrain Tires

If you decide to stick with A/T tires during winter, here are some tips to get the most out of them:

1. Check Tire Pressure Regularly – Cold conditions can cause tire pressure to drop, reducing traction.
2. Rotate Your Tires – Regular rotations keep tread wear even, helping maintain grip.
3. Watch Your Speed – Even the best tires won’t save you on ice if you’re going too fast.
4. Consider Chains for Extreme Conditions – When heading into deep snow or icy canyons, tire chains can make a huge difference.
5. Know Your Limits – A/T tires are versatile, but in severe snow or ice, even the best all-terrain tires won’t outperform a dedicated winter tire.

Are All Terrain Tires Right for You?

The decision really comes down to your driving conditions. If you’re in an area of Utah that gets heavy snowfall and icy roads every winter, investing in a set of winter tires will give you better traction, shorter stopping distances, and more peace of mind. But if you’re mostly dealing with light snow, slush, and mixed road conditions, a high-quality all terrain tire with the three-peak mountain snowflake rating can be a solid choice.

Think about how often you’re in the mountains, how much off-road driving you do, and whether you’re comfortable swapping tires seasonally. That’s the best way to balance convenience, safety, and cost.

Find the Right Tires for Utah Winters

When you’re asking are all terrain tires good in snow, the answer is that they’re good for many conditions but not perfect for every situation. For light snow and mixed driving, A/T tires can keep you rolling all year long. For deep snow and icy conditions, a set of winter tires like Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin X-Ice will give you the confidence you need.

At Southtowne Mitsubishi in Utah, we’re here to help you find the right tire type for your driving habits. Our service department will walk you through the options.

Ready to take on Utah’s winter conditions with confidence? Stop by Southtowne Mitsubishi today and let’s find the perfect tires for your vehicle and lifestyle.