Conquering deep snow on your ATV requires more than just courage; it demands the right set of tires. Standard all-terrain tires can quickly become packed with snow, leaving you spinning and stuck. The key to winter dominance lies in a tread pattern designed to bite and clear, combined with a construction tough enough to handle hidden obstacles.
This roundup focuses on tires that excel when the temperature drops and the snow piles up. We have evaluated a range of options based on their tread design, ply rating for durability, and overall performance in snowy conditions. Whether you’re a trail rider or a utility worker, the right tire can transform your ATV into a reliable winter machine, providing the traction and confidence needed for any cold-weather adventure.
Our Top Picks for ATV Snow Tires
- Weize ATV UTV all-terrain Tires 25×8-12 Front & 25×10-12 Rear
- FORERUNNER 22×7-10 Front ATV Tires 22x7x10 6PR
- SUNROAD Set of 4 ATV UTV Tires 21×7-10 Front & 22×10-10 Rear
- MASSFX MK 4 Set ATV Tires 25×8-12 Fronts 25×10-12 Rears
- ITP Mud Lite AT Mud Terrain ATV Tire 25×8-12
- Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 Radial Tire 27×9-14
- GBC Dirt Devil Bias ATV Tire – 25×8-12
- Interco Tire Reptile Radial (6ply) ATV Tire [28×10-14]
- SunF Power.I ATV/UTV all-terrain Tire 27×9-12 Front & 27×11-12 Rear
- Sedona Mud Rebel ATV/UTV Tire
Weize ATV UTV all-terrain Tires 25×8-12 Front & 25×10-12 Rear
This complete set from Weize is built for riders who face a mix of harsh conditions, including deep snow. The directional angled knobby tread is designed to dig in and provide forward momentum while effectively clearing mud and snow from the tread blocks. A generous 20mm tread depth ensures there is plenty of bite for challenging terrain.
Durability is a key feature, with a heavy 6-ply rated construction that helps resist punctures from hidden rocks or ice. The design balances a lightweight build for quicker acceleration with a robust structure that can handle the demands of winter riding, making it a solid all-around choice for your ATV or UTV.
FORERUNNER 22×7-10 Front ATV Tires
The FORERUNNER front tires focus on providing excellent cornering traction with minimal slip, a critical feature when navigating snowy trails. The angled shoulder knobs are equipped with numerous biting edges that help maintain control and stability when turning on packed snow or ice. This design helps prevent the tire from washing out in slippery conditions.
With a 6-ply rating, these tires offer extra durability and load capacity, which is important for handling the stresses of winter riding. The fast-rolling center tread promotes straight-line stability, helping your ATV track true through deep snow without requiring constant steering correction.
SUNROAD Set of 4 ATV UTV Tires 21×7-10 Front & 22×10-10 Rear
This SUNROAD set provides a complete tire solution for smaller ATV and UTV models, with a staggered setup that includes 21-inch front and 22-inch rear tires. The aggressive tread pattern is designed to perform in mud, sand, and snow, offering the multi-surface capability needed for changing winter terrain. The rear tires have a substantial load capacity, suitable for utility tasks in the snow.
Built as bias-ply tubeless tires with a 6-ply rating, this set is constructed to resist damage. The different tread depths between the front and rear tires are engineered to work in harmony, with the front tires providing steering precision and the rears delivering the driving traction to power through snowdrifts.
MASSFX MK 4 Set ATV Tires 25×8-12 Fronts 25×10-12 Rears
The MASSFX MK 4 set is built with a deep, 1/2-inch tread depth that provides ample space for snow to be expelled, preventing balling up and maintaining consistent traction. This four-pack includes a dedicated front and rear size, ensuring a proper fit and optimized handling for your machine. The aggressive knobby pattern is intended for off-road use in mud, sand, and snow.
These tubeless tires feature a 6-ply rated construction, offering a strong defense against punctures from icy branches or sharp rocks concealed beneath the snow. This makes them a dependable option for riders who need a tire that can withstand the unforgiving elements of winter trails.
ITP Mud Lite AT Mud Terrain ATV Tire
The ITP Mud Lite AT is a well-known name in off-roading, recognized for its lightweight design and capable performance. It features 3/4-inch deep lugs that are designed to provide significant biting edges for traction in soft materials like deep snow. The tire’s design aims to offer a smooth ride while still delivering aggressive off-road capability.
Sized for many high-performance sport ATVs, this tire focuses on providing a good balance between weight and durability. The lighter weight can contribute to better acceleration and handling response, which can be an advantage when navigating through heavy, wet snow.
Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 Radial Tire 27×9-14
The Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 is a radial tire, which typically offers a smoother ride and more flexible sidewall for better contact with the ground—a benefit on uneven, snow-covered trails. As a lightweight version of the original Bighorn, it aims to reduce unsprung weight for improved suspension performance.
Despite its lighter build, it doesn’t sacrifice strength, boasting a 6-ply rating for toughness. The tread pattern is engineered to be a proven all-terrain performer, providing reliable traction across various conditions, including the packed snow and ice commonly found on winter trails.
GBC Dirt Devil Bias ATV Tire
The GBC Dirt Devil is designed with traction spikes on its lugs, which add numerous biting edges for improved grip on a variety of surfaces. This feature can be particularly useful on hard-packed snow and ice, where extra edges can make a significant difference in control and forward motion.
Each lug is also dimpled, further increasing the number of edges that can dig into slippery terrain. This tire is built to offer durability and consistent performance in light mud, dirt, and gravel, making it a suitable candidate for winter trails that are a mix of exposed ground and snow cover.
Interco Tire Reptile Radial ATV Tire
The Interco Reptile Radial is a larger, more aggressive tire designed for serious off-road enthusiasts. Its substantial size and radial construction provide a large contact patch and a compliant ride over rough, snow-covered obstacles. The aggressive tread pattern is made to tackle extreme conditions.
With a 6-ply rating, it has the durability to handle rocky terrain that might be exposed or hidden under the snow. This tire is for riders whose winter adventures take them through deep snow and who need maximum traction and ground clearance from their ATV.
SunF Power.I ATV/UTV all-terrain Tire 27×9-12 Front & 27×11-12 Rear
The SunF Power.I A033 tires are engineered as a master of all terrains, including muddy, sandy, and rocky landscapes that are often encountered in winter. The complete set comes with staggered sizing for optimized handling, with larger rear tires to put more power to the ground.
These tubeless tires feature a durable 6-ply construction that resists punctures, cuts, and impacts from hidden winter hazards. They are built to withstand the rigors of demanding off-road use, providing consistent and reliable performance when you need traction in deep snow.
Sedona Mud Rebel ATV/UTV Tire
The Sedona Mud Rebel is designed with a focus on conquering challenging, soft terrain. Its deep, self-cleaning tread pattern is made to eject mud and snow efficiently, preventing buildup that can rob you of traction. The aggressive lug placement provides the biting edges necessary to pull through deep snow.
Built as a rugged bias-ply tire, the Mud Rebel is constructed to take on the punishment of rocky trails and icy obstacles. For riders who frequently encounter deep snow and need a tire that can clean itself and maintain grip, the Mud Rebel is a strong contender.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best ATV Tires for Snow
When the temperature drops and the snow starts to pile up, your standard ATV tires just won’t cut it. I’ve learned from experience that having the right rubber on your machine is the single most important factor for staying safe and mobile in winter conditions. The goal is to find a tire that can bite through powder and grip on ice without tearing up your trails. The best ATV tires for snow share a few key characteristics that you should prioritize.
First, look at the tread pattern and lug depth. For deep snow traction, you want an aggressive, open tread pattern. Wide-spaced lugs are crucial because they allow the tire to clean itself out, preventing snow from getting packed in and turning your treads into slick donuts. A deep lug height, often 1.5 inches or more, gives those lugs something to bite into the snowpack. Tires designed specifically for mud and snow (often marked as M/S) are usually a great starting point.
Next, consider the tire’s construction and ply rating. Winter riding can be tough on tires, with hidden branches and sharp ice beneath the snow. A higher ply rating, like a 6-ply, offers more resistance to punctures and cuts compared to a standard 4-ply tire. It’s a bit of extra weight, but the durability is worth it. You should also think about the rubber compound. A softer compound will remain more flexible in freezing temperatures, which improves grip on hard-packed snow and ice.
Finally, don’t forget about tire pressure. This is the easiest and cheapest performance mod you can make. I always air down when I’m heading into deep snow. Lowering your tire pressure increases the tire’s contact patch, effectively giving you more “floatation” so you stay on top of the snow instead of digging down to the bottom. Just be careful not to go so low that you risk de-beading the tire from the rim, especially when cornering. Starting with a few PSI lower than your normal summer pressure can make a world of difference. By focusing on tread design, construction, and pressure management, you can confidently select one of the best ATV tires for snow and keep riding all winter long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my regular ATV tires in the snow?
You can, but I don’t recommend it for anything more than a light dusting. Standard all-terrain tires have a tighter tread pattern that clogs up with snow very quickly. Once the lugs are packed, you lose all traction and you’ll be sliding around or, more likely, getting stuck. For consistent snow riding, a dedicated set of the best ATV tires for snow is a much safer and more effective choice.
Are studded tires necessary for ice?
If you plan on riding on frozen lakes or extremely icy trails, studs are a game-changer. While aggressive snow tires provide good traction in powder and packed snow, they can still slip on sheer ice. Studs bite directly into the ice, providing a level of control that rubber alone cannot. You can buy pre-studded tires or install your own studs into compatible tires. Just be sure to check your local regulations, as some areas restrict or prohibit studded tires.
What is the ideal tire pressure for snow riding?
There’s no single perfect pressure, as it depends on your tire size, vehicle weight, and snow conditions. As a general rule, I start by lowering my pressure to around 3-5 PSI. The goal is to let the tire bulge slightly, creating a larger footprint that helps the ATV float on top of the snow. You need to experiment carefully. Too much pressure and you’ll dig in; too little and you risk damaging the rim or popping the tire off the bead.
How much does a set of four good snow tires cost?
The price can vary widely based on brand, size, and features like ply rating. You can expect to spend anywhere from $400 to over $1,000 for a set of four quality tires. While it’s a significant investment, think of it as buying your winter freedom. Being stuck in the cold is miserable, and a good set of tires prevents that. It’s one of the most impactful upgrades you can make for winter riding.
Is a wider tire better for snow?
Generally, yes. A wider tire distributes the weight of your ATV over a larger surface area. This increases flotation and helps prevent the vehicle from sinking down into deep snow. However, there is a balance. An extremely wide tire can be more difficult to steer and may not fit well within your ATV’s fenders. A tire that is noticeably wider than your stock tires is usually a good improvement for snow performance without causing handling issues.