BC Driving Pass

Essential tips for checking road conditions, winter tires, vehicle safety, and travel requirements before driving BC mountain passes this winter.

British Columbia’s mountain highways offer spectacular winter scenery, from snow-covered forests to towering alpine peaks. However, driving BC mountain passes in winter can be challenging due to unpredictable weather, icy roads, heavy snowfall, and winding mountain routes.

Whether you’re heading to a ski resort, planning a winter getaway, or visiting family, preparation is essential for safe winter driving in British Columbia. Checking road conditions, understanding winter tire requirements, and preparing your vehicle can help you handle unexpected snowfall, road closures, and hazardous driving conditions. Before setting out, take time to plan your route and make sure you’re ready for changing mountain weather.

The good news? A little preparation can help you make informed decisions and travel more safely. Here’s what to check before driving BC mountain passes this winter.

Check Road Conditions Before You Leave

Before starting your journey, check the latest road conditions along your entire route. Weather in British Columbia can change quickly, especially at higher elevations, where clear skies can give way to heavy snowfall, freezing rain, or reduced visibility.

The official “DriveBC website” provides information about highway conditions, incidents, closures, construction, and travel advisories.

Before departure, check for:

• Snowfall and freezing rain: These conditions can make roads slippery and reduce visibility.
• Black ice: Often difficult to see, it can develop on shaded roads, bridges, and overpasses.
• Road closures: Collisions, severe weather, and avalanche-control work may interrupt travel.
• Travel advisories: Official warnings can help you decide whether to continue, delay, or change your plans.
• Weather forecasts: Check conditions throughout your route rather than relying only on the forecast for your starting location.

Check road updates again before setting off and during safe stops if your journey is long. If authorities advise against travel, take their guidance seriously.

Make Sure Your Winter Tires Are Suitable

Winter tires are among the most important things to check before travelling through BC’s mountain passes. Even a powerful vehicle can struggle to maintain traction when the road is covered in snow or ice.

British Columbia requires winter tires or approved traction devices on most designated routes during the winter season, generally from October 1 through April 30, although some routes have different end dates.

For passenger vehicles on designated routes, the applicable minimum tread depth is 3.5 mm. Eligible tires must also meet the province’s requirements, which generally recognise the Mud and Snow (M+S) designation or the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol. Learn more about the applicable dates, designated routes, and tire requirements in our guide to the “BC winter tire law” .

However, meeting the legal minimum does not necessarily mean your tires are ideal for severe winter conditions.

Before travelling:

• Inspect all four tires for damage and uneven wear.
• Check the tread depth.
• Make sure tire pressure meets the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Choose tires appropriate for the expected snow and ice conditions.
• Confirm whether your route requires chains or other approved traction equipment.

If you’re renting a vehicle, ask the rental company about its winter tires and available traction equipment before leaving.

For route-specific requirements, consult the “BC government’s winter tire and chain-up route information“.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Cold Weather

Cold temperatures can affect several parts of your vehicle, particularly the battery, tires, fluids, and visibility systems. A basic inspection before departure can help you identify potential problems before reaching a remote mountain highway.

1. Check the battery

Cold weather can reduce battery performance, especially when the battery is already ageing. If your vehicle starts slowly or the battery has been unreliable, have it tested before your trip.

2. Inspect the brakes and fluids

Check your brakes for unusual noises or changes in performance. Ensure your engine coolant provides suitable freeze protection, and check other fluids according to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

If anything seems wrong, arrange an inspection before travelling.

3. Check your wipers and windshield washer fluid

Snow, road spray, and salt can quickly cover your windshield. Inspect the wiper blades and fill the reservoir with washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures. Keep an ice scraper and snow brush in the vehicle.

4. Test your lights

Make sure your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working correctly. Clean all lights and windows before departure so other drivers can see you clearly.

Finally, remove snow and ice from your entire vehicle, including the roof, mirrors, windows, and headlights. Snow blowing off your vehicle can create a hazard for other road users.

Essential Winter Driving Emergency Kit

Even a well-maintained vehicle can become stuck in traffic or experience an unexpected breakdown. Mountain highways may have limited services, and a road closure can leave drivers waiting much longer than expected.

A winter emergency kit helps you prepare for these situations.

Consider carrying:

• Warm blankets and spare winter clothing
• Gloves, a hat, and insulated footwear
• Drinking water and non-perishable snacks
• A first-aid kit and essential personal medication
• A flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
• A fully charged phone and power bank
• Jumper cables or a suitable jump starter
• An ice scraper and snow brush
• A compact snow shovel and appropriate traction aids
• Required tire chains or other approved traction equipment

Keep these items somewhere accessible rather than underneath heavy luggage.

It’s also wise to begin your journey with sufficient fuel or battery charge, depending on your vehicle. Let someone know your planned route and expected arrival time, especially if you’ll be travelling through remote areas.

Know How to Use Tire Chains and Traction Device

Winter tires improve grip, but some mountain routes and conditions require additional traction equipment.

If your journey involves a designated chain-up route, check the requirements for your vehicle before leaving. Carry compatible equipment and learn how to install it in advance, rather than trying to figure it out in freezing weather.

Follow posted signs and instructions from highway personnel. Only stop in a designated or otherwise safe location to fit chains, and follow the manufacturer’s installation and speed instructions.

Remember that four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive do not make a vehicle immune to winter road hazards. They can help with traction when moving, but they cannot eliminate skidding or guarantee shorter stopping distances on ice.

Good tires, appropriate traction equipment, and careful driving all work together to improve safety.

Plan Your Route and Allow Extra Travel Time

Winter journeys through the mountains often take longer than expected. Snowfall, slow-moving traffic, road maintenance, and temporary closures can affect your schedule.

Instead of planning your trip around the fastest possible journey, allow time for changing conditions.

Here are some practical planning tips:

• Leave earlier when appropriate, but prioritise safe conditions over keeping a schedule.
• Consider travelling during daylight if you’re unfamiliar with the route.
• Identify suitable places to stop, rest, and refuel.
• Check the availability of services along more remote sections of your journey.
• Keep your phone charged and save important travel information for offline access where possible.
• Avoid unverified shortcuts and follow official detour instructions.
• Never use your phone while driving; check updates only when safely parked.

If a highway closes, do not attempt to bypass the closure using an unfamiliar or unofficial route. Follow the directions of authorities and wait somewhere safe.

Adjust Your Driving for Snow and Ice

Safe winter driving requires more than preparing your vehicle. Your driving habits must also adapt to the road conditions.

• Reduce your speed: Drive at a speed appropriate for the available traction, visibility, and road surface. The posted speed limit is not a guarantee that the same speed is safe in winter weather.
• Leave more following distance: Snow and ice can increase stopping distances considerably. Leave extra space between your vehicle and the one ahead, giving yourself more time to react.
• Brake and accelerate smoothly: Sudden braking, sharp steering, and rapid acceleration can cause your tires to lose grip. Make movements gradually and avoid unnecessary lane changes.
• Be careful on steep descents: On long downhill stretches, selecting an appropriate lower gear can help control speed and reduce reliance on continuous braking. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s guidance and avoid abrupt changes on slippery roads.
• Avoid cruise control on slippery surfaces: Keep direct control of your speed when roads are icy or snow-covered. Changing traction requires attention and quick, appropriate responses.
• Stay alert to changing conditions: Watch for shaded icy patches, curves, snowplows, stopped traffic, and reduced visibility. If you no longer feel comfortable maintaining control, look for a safe place to stop rather than pushing onward.

For additional guidance, visit “ICBC’s official winter driving resource“.

Know When to Delay Your Journey

Sometimes, the safest winter driving decision is to postpone your trip. If severe weather is forecast, authorities advise against travel, or your vehicle lacks the required equipment, delaying your departure may be the most sensible option.

Consider postponing your journey if:

• A highway closure or travel advisory affects your route.
• Heavy snowfall or freezing rain is expected.
• Your tires or traction equipment do not meet the applicable requirements.
• Your vehicle has a mechanical problem that could affect safety.
• You are tired, unwell, or uncomfortable driving in the conditions.

If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle when it is safe to do so and contact emergency services if you need assistance. If you run the engine for warmth, keep the exhaust outlet clear of snow to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide entering the vehicle.

Do not take unnecessary risks simply to reach your destination on time.

Your Pre-Trip Winter Driving Checklist

Before setting off through BC’s mountain passes, make sure you have covered these essentials:

• Check DriveBC for current road conditions, incidents, and closures.
• Review the weather forecast for your entire route.
• Inspect your winter tires and confirm the applicable requirements.
• Carry the required chains or approved traction devices.
• Check your battery, brakes, lights, wipers, and fluids.
• Pack warm clothing, food, water, and emergency supplies.
• Charge your phone and plan safe stops.
• Tell someone your route and estimated arrival time.
• Clear snow and ice from the entire vehicle.
• Allow extra travel time and be prepared to postpone your journey.

A few minutes spent checking these details can help you avoid preventable problems along the way. You can also follow our “BC driver’s fall checklist” to prepare your vehicle for the colder months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)