Tires 6 min read

Are All-Terrain Tires Good in Snow? A Colorado Driver's Guide

The Short Answer

Yes — but not all of them, and not in all conditions. A quality all-terrain tire with a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating performs well in most Colorado winter driving scenarios: packed snow on mountain highways, slushy metro streets, and light powder on forest roads. But an A/T tire is not a replacement for dedicated winter tires in extreme conditions like sustained ice, deep unplowed snow, or sub-zero temperatures.

For most Colorado drivers who commute in the metro area and drive to the mountains on weekends, a 3PMSF-rated all-terrain tire is the best single-tire solution.

What Is the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating?

The 3PMSF symbol (a mountain with a snowflake inside) is a standardized certification indicating that a tire meets minimum performance requirements in snow braking tests. Specifically, the tire must provide at least 10% better braking performance on packed snow compared to a reference tire.

This is a higher standard than the M+S (mud and snow) rating, which is based on tread pattern geometry alone and doesn't require any actual snow testing. Many tires carry the M+S marking without being meaningfully capable in snow.

Why It Matters on Colorado's I-70 Corridor

Colorado's Traction Law (Code 15) applies to I-70 from Morrison to Dotsero and on other mountain highways during winter storms. Under Code 15, all vehicles must have one of the following:

  • Winter tires (M+S or 3PMSF rated) with at least 3/16" tread
  • Tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation
  • 4WD or AWD with adequate tread depth
  • Chains or approved traction devices

All-terrain tires with the M+S marking satisfy the traction law. Those with the 3PMSF rating exceed it. If you drive I-70 to ski areas, using a 3PMSF-rated A/T tire keeps you compliant without needing to swap tires seasonally.

How All-Terrain Tires Perform in Different Snow Conditions

Packed Snow (Highway and Surface Streets)

This is where 3PMSF-rated A/T tires excel. The siping (thin cuts in the tread blocks) creates biting edges that grip packed snow effectively. A tire like the BFGoodrich KO2 or Falken Wildpeak A/T3W provides confident braking and cornering on packed snow-covered highways and Denver metro streets.

Performance: Very good. Comparable to many dedicated winter tires on packed surfaces.

Slush and Wet Snow

The tread voids on A/T tires channel slush and water effectively, preventing hydroplaning. Their wider grooves actually give them an advantage over narrower winter tire treads in heavy slush. This is common on Denver's main roads after storms, where plows push snow to the side and leave a slushy mess.

Performance: Good to very good. A/T tires handle slush well.

Deep, Unplowed Snow

In fresh, deep snow (6+ inches), A/T tires can struggle compared to dedicated winter tires or aggressive M/T tires. The tread blocks aren't aggressive enough to dig through deep powder to find grip underneath. If you regularly drive unplowed roads or live on a gravel road in the foothills, a more aggressive tire (or a second set of winter wheels) may be a better choice.

Performance: Moderate. Acceptable for occasional deep snow, but not ideal for daily unplowed road use.

Ice

No all-terrain tire — regardless of rating — handles glare ice well. Ice requires either studded tires (not legal year-round in Colorado) or dedicated winter tires with specialized compounds that stay soft below freezing. A/T tires will be better than summer tires on ice, but don't expect them to grip black ice at the mouth of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Performance: Poor. This is a limitation of the category, not specific to any brand.

Best All-Terrain Tires for Colorado Winter Driving

These A/T tires carry the 3PMSF rating and have the best real-world winter performance based on our experience fitting tires for Colorado drivers:

  1. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W — Best value. Excellent snow performance, quiet on the highway, and one of the best A/T tires in winter conditions at any price.
  2. BFGoodrich KO2 — The benchmark. Strong sidewalls, reliable winter traction, and proven over years of Colorado use.
  3. Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac — Most aggressive A/T in snow. Almost crosses into M/T territory. Excellent in deep snow but louder on the highway.
  4. Toyo Open Country A/T III — Newest design with improved wet and snow performance. Long tread life makes it ideal for high-mileage drivers.
  5. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S — Underrated option. Excellent snow performance at a competitive price, with Snow Groove technology for sustained winter traction.

Read our full best all-terrain tires for Colorado guide for detailed reviews of each tire.

When You Should Consider Dedicated Winter Tires Instead

All-terrain tires are a compromise — and for some drivers, the winter performance compromise isn't enough. Consider a dedicated set of winter tires if:

  • You commute on I-70 through the mountains multiple times per week all winter
  • You live above 8,000 feet where roads are frequently snow-covered or icy
  • Your vehicle is rear-wheel drive (RWD) with limited traction control
  • You drive in sustained sub-20°F temperatures where A/T compounds stiffen
  • You frequently encounter unplowed roads

The most cost-effective approach for these drivers is to keep A/T tires on your main wheels for 8 months and a dedicated set of winter tires on a second set of wheels (steel or alloy) for November through March. Swapping takes 20 minutes and costs nothing if you do it at home (or minimal cost at a shop).

A/T Tires vs. Winter Tires vs. All-Season: Quick Summary

  • All-season tires — Adequate for Denver metro winters. Not enough for mountain driving or off-road. The default tire on most new vehicles.
  • All-terrain tires (3PMSF) — The best single-tire solution for Colorado. Handles highway, trails, and winter. The choice for most truck and SUV owners.
  • Dedicated winter tires — Best pure snow and ice performance. Required if you drive in extreme winter conditions regularly. Wears fast on dry pavement.
  • Mud-terrain tires — Better than A/T in deep unplowed snow but worse on packed snow and ice. Not ideal as a winter tire. See our A/T vs. M/T comparison.

Get the Right Tires for Colorado Winter

Whether you need a set of 3PMSF-rated all-terrain tires for year-round use or a dedicated winter setup, Platinum Wheels and Tires in Denver has you covered. We'll look at your vehicle, ask about your driving conditions, and recommend the right tire without overselling you.

Use our Tire Size Calculator to compare sizes before you visit, or get a free quote online. Same-day installation available for in-stock tires.