Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak: The New Flagship Winter Tire Replacing the WS90 and DM-V2
Last modified on August 24th, 2026 in News
Bridgestone has just launched its new flagship winter tire: the Blizzak IcePeak. Announced in January 2026 and available starting in the spring of 2026, this tire marks a significant turning point in the Blizzak lineup it replaces both the WS90 and the DM-V2, two of the brand's most popular models. With integrated ENLITEN technology and two simultaneous winter certifications, the Blizzak IcePeak immediately positions itself as one of the most complete winter tires on the market. Here's everything you need to know before the next winter season.
Why the Blizzak IcePeak Matters
The Blizzak lineup has existed since 1988, nearly four decades of innovation that have fundamentally changed the winter tire industry. Technologies like MultiCell technology and 3D interlocking sipes were developed and refined across generations of Blizzak tires, becoming benchmarks in the field.
The Blizzak IcePeak builds on this legacy while pushing it further. It is the first Bridgestone tire to simultaneously earn two winter certifications: the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol (3PMSF) for snow, and the Ice Grip certification for ice. This double distinction, a first for Bridgestone, speaks to just how thoroughly this tire was engineered to excel in the two conditions Canadian drivers fear most.
It covers an impressive range of vehicles: sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs, and trucks, from 14- to 22-inch wheel sizes, across 107 total sizes, enough to fit 97% of light-duty vehicles on the market.
The Double Certification: What It Actually Means
The 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Certification
The 3PMSF symbol, the mountain with three peaks and a snowflake, is the recognized standard for winter tires in Canada. In several provinces, this symbol determines whether a tire is legally rated for mandatory winter use. To earn it, a tire must demonstrate snow acceleration traction at least 10% better than a reference all-season tire.
The Ice Grip Certification
The Ice Grip certification is less well known but equally meaningful. It follows standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and certifies that the tire has undergone rigorous testing on icy surfaces. To qualify, a tire must achieve an ice braking distance at least 18% shorter than a standard reference tire. In plain terms: the Blizzak IcePeak stops significantly shorter on glare ice than most conventional winter tires.
Earning both certifications simultaneously on a single tire is a rare technical achievement and a first for Bridgestone.
The Technologies Behind the Blizzak IcePeak
MultiCell Technology
Developed and patented by Bridgestone, MultiCell technology is one of the keys to the Blizzak's exceptional behaviour on ice. It creates micro-cavities on the tread surface that absorb the thin water film that forms between the tire and the ice, that film being precisely what makes ice so treacherous. By eliminating it, the tire increases its effective contact area with the ice surface and dramatically improves braking performance.
A Completely Redesigned Tread Pattern
The Blizzak IcePeak features a new globally unified tread pattern built around three major innovations:
- Optimized full-depth 3D sipes: the small slits in the tread blocks have been repositioned and reoriented to maximize the gripping edge effect. More active edges means more grip, both under acceleration and braking.
- Protrusions on the leading edge of tread blocks: these small raised features prevent water from intruding around the tread blocks, maintaining better grip on icy surfaces and improving block rigidity in corners.
- Micro grooves on tread block surfaces: a particularly clever innovation, these micro grooves actively evacuate the thin water film that naturally forms between the tire and the ice, further improving traction on glare ice.
An Enhanced Compound with ENLITEN Technology
The Blizzak IcePeak incorporates Bridgestone's ENLITEN technology, the same platform we highlighted in our article on the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 V2, now applied to a winter context with different goals: improving compound durability while reducing rolling resistance.
The result: according to Bridgestone's internal testing, the Blizzak IcePeak delivers improved tread life compared to both the WS90 and the DM-V2. A winter tire that lasts longer means fewer changeovers and real savings over multiple seasons. The reduction in rolling resistance also contributes to better fuel efficiency, a meaningful benefit for conventional vehicles, hybrids, and electric vehicles alike, all of which the Blizzak IcePeak was expressly engineered to accommodate.
Blizzak IcePeak vs. WS90 and DM-V2: Why Replace Two Tires with One?
The question many drivers will ask: why is Bridgestone replacing two distinct models, one for cars (WS90) and one for SUVs and trucks (DM-V2), with a single tire?
The answer largely comes down to how the vehicle market has evolved. The boundaries between sedans, CUVs, SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks have blurred considerably in recent years. Bridgestone developed a single platform capable of meeting the demands of all these vehicle types, optimizing one tread design rather than maintaining multiple variants.
Who Is the Blizzak IcePeak For?
With 107 sizes spanning 14- to 22-inch wheels, the Blizzak IcePeak is aimed at virtually every type of driver:
- Sedan and compact drivers who want the best available winter tire for their daily commute.
- SUV and minivan owners for whom family safety is the top priority.
- Truck drivers who need a winter tire that performs on plowed roads as well as less-maintained routes.
- Electric and hybrid vehicle owners the Blizzak IcePeak was expressly built to meet the specific demands of these vehicles (higher weight, instant torque, greater sensitivity to rolling resistance).
In short: if you drive a light-duty vehicle in Canada and want the most thoroughly certified and capable winter tire in Bridgestone's lineup, the Blizzak IcePeak is built for you.
Our Verdict: Is It Worth the Investment?
The Blizzak IcePeak arrives with compelling credentials. The dual 3PMSF + Ice Grip certification is a first for Bridgestone and a powerful safety statement: this tire was engineered to perform in the two most dangerous winter conditions Canadian drivers face. The integration of ENLITEN technology adds improved tread life and reduced rolling resistance, two factors with a real impact on long-term cost of ownership.
The fact that it replaces two distinct models (WS90 and DM-V2) while covering an even broader spectrum of vehicles is also a practical advantage: one reference tire to know, recommend, and stock.
- The double certification: 3PMSF for snow, Ice Grip for ice, a first for Bridgestone and a strong safety argument.
- Improved longevity: better tread life than both the WS90 and DM-V2, according to Bridgestone's internal testing.
- Broad compatibility: 107 sizes, EVs and hybrids included.
- Worth keeping in mind: like any premium winter tire, the Blizzak IcePeak is an investment but one fully justified by the performance levels it delivers and the savings generated by its extended tread life.
Our verdict: The Blizzak IcePeak immediately establishes itself as Bridgestone's winter benchmark. For Canadian drivers who face serious winters, it's without question one of the most compelling winter tires to consider for the 2026–2027 season.
View the Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak at Quattro Tires