Your tires are so important when it comes to giving your vehicle control and handling in snowy and icy conditions. There are three main tire features which impact grip on snow and ice. These are proper tread design, pliable tread compound, and enough tread depth. All three need to work in conjunction with one another. Tires require increased tread depth during the winter months as this helps to compress snow into the grooves, releasing it as they roll along. If there is not enough depth, the snow can no longer be processed on each revolution of the tires. Therefore, your ATV’s mobility and traction in snow will be lessened.
Special winter tires are molded with deeper tread depths than their standard counterparts. Some even feature winter wear indicators to show that the depth is enough for winter riding. While they don’t necessarily show that tires are legally worn out, they indicate that the treads have been worn down to 5/32" of the remaining depth and it is a good idea to get them replaced.