Blackhawk Tires x SHARP
Getting around the city in bad weather is a bit of an art form. Admittedly, when the forecast is calling for frigid temperatures and freezing rain, the hardest part can sometimes be getting off the couch, but the right gear can make all the difference. This is Canada; hibernating all winter is only a valid excuse for staying in if you’re an actual bear. Whether you’re looking to go to a remote wintery retreat in Muskoka, grab a reservation at a cool new place across town, or anything in between, there are an infinite number of reasons to get out and have a good time when the weather turns bad. As the old saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing (and bad tires).
Winter Shoes = Winter Tires
For many of the same reasons you wouldn’t step out of the house in November wearing your favourite pair of slides or those suede boots with the crepe sole, you shouldn’t be driving around in November on all-season tires. You’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place. With the wrong shoes, it’s embarrassing. With the wrong tires, it can get seriously dangerous in a hurry.
Wondering when to switch over to winter tires? It’s easy, just remember the 7-degree rule. According to the experts at Blackhawk Tires, when the temps drop below about 7-degrees Celsius, regular tires lose grip. Below that temperature, regular rubber becomes hard and less pliable. For maximum control and confident handling in fall and winter conditions, look for one of Blackhawk’s “all-weather” tires, which are identified by the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
Pro Tip: Labels Matter
Here at SHARP, we have been known to nerd-out about clothes, the way they’re layered or what to wear in stormy weather, because 1) it’s fun and 2) a good ‘fit feels good. Part of feeling good means being fit for purpose. It’s the same with tires, so permit us this nerdy (but absolutely critical) note on labels.
All-weather and all-season labels do not mean the same thing. Don’t mistake one for the other. “All-season” is a misnomer, at least for our climate. In Canada, all-season tires are really just three-season tires. For winter, you really need either dedicated winter tires or (our favourite) the more versatile all-weather tires with the 3PMSF label on the side. That label means they’re safe to drive on all-year round.
In the City
There are sooooo many reasons to get out of the house in winter, and you don’t need to go far to find one. A drive out to Toronto’s Beaches to see the latest Winter Stations installations never disappoints, nor does a trip to skate at Montreal’s Beaver Lake pavilion on Mount Royal. Nothing warms up a winter morning like a trip to a good café, and these days we’re loving Toronto’s Buvette Pacey and any of the oh-so-cozy Rooms outposts.
The only things standing in your way — apart from having good waterproof shoes and a proper jacket — are unplowed side streets, mountains of slushy old snow piled up by the curb, hidden ice patches, or just a classic deluge of frigid fall rain.
But the Blackhawk Agility AWT is built to inspire confidence in exactly those types of conditions. Its aggressive asymmetric tread pattern and four circumferential grooves translate into serious grip and control on wet and snowy city streets. It comes in a huge range of sizes to fit cars and crossovers, and like all Blackhawk tires, the Agility AWT is designed for those who want to stand out without overspending, never compromising on quality.
Out of the City
Further afield, outside the city limits, there are even more destinations to explore. Muskoka in winter is a place few get to experience, but it’s so worth it for the serene sight of frozen lakes. Sprinting out in snow to a hot sauna feels life-affirming. Quebec has an abundance of great ski destinations, but Le Massif de Charlevoix manages to be both charming and full of fresh powder. To drive the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Lake Louise, vehicles are required in winter to have snow tires or chains.
Driving out there, you’ll want to be able to get yourself out of trouble. Deep snow is par for the course, and as it packs down it can ice over.
For winter escapes like those, a quality all-weather tire for your SUV or pickup is absolutely essential. The Blackhawk RIDGECRAWLER A/T is the perfect candidate; it’s a premium all-terrain tire with the 3PMSF symbol, meaning it’s tried and tested on snow. (And, yes, it meets the requirements for driving the Icefields Parkway in winter.) For drivers who split their time between on- and off-road, in all seasons, the RIDGECRAWLER A/T is an ideal year-round solution.
Alternatively, for drivers who don’t mind swapping tires when the temps rise, or those who want to venture into northern Quebec, Ontario, or the Praries, we’d recommend a dedicated winter tire like the Blackhawk Ice Prey BW10. The upside? It’s studdable tire, meaning it can be fitted with metal studs, which are the ne plus ultra of winter traction. (Just be sure studded tires are allowed where you live.) Together with the BW10’s proprietary winter rubber compound, you’ll get ultimate control and confidence to command the harshest driving conditions that winter has to offer.
It’s not the weather that limits what you can and can’t do; it’s your gear. Having the right stuff — whether that’s boots, jackets, gloves or tires — means saying yes to everything your city (and beyond) has to offer this winter. Leave hibernating to the bears.
