We all know what its like to drive on ice and snow in Vancouver, but have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could drive a Porsche 911 in snow and fast? Learn to drive, drift, and slide a turbocharged sports car on the ice from the pros at the Porsche Ice Experience in Finland. The story began in 1999 in Rovaniemi where the first Porsche training took place on icy Finnish soil. Then, 15 years later and 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the Porsche Driving Area Levi was opened. Since then, this frozen track has thrilled thousands of Porsche enthusiasts every year from all over the world. Not too sure how you would do? There are 4 skill levels, Ice Experience, Ice Force and Ice Force Pro, as well as the Ice Cup special training that are tailored to fit your comfort levels and to advance your skills. Each level builds on one another to constantly upgrade your skills, step by step while teaching you new content, key topics, and challenging you every step of the way.
The Ice Experience training level is your introduction to the world of icy driving where you will learn the basics of confident vehicle handling and drifting on smooth surfaces and then try your hand at demanding handling courses. Alongside the theory, the program includes driving dynamics, driving practice and, of course, driving pleasure. You will learn basic drifting and handling techniques that make sliding a Porsche on snow and ice the most fun you can have in the snow.
Next up is the Ice Force training level where you sharpen your handling technique at the limits of driving physics. In Ice Force, you spend even more time behind the wheel and take on varied sections where responsiveness of hand and foot are required as you learn to make the most of load change with spiked tires across a variety of Porsche models. After three adrenaline fuelled days, you are guaranteed to be prepared for winter, and most importantly, the final level.
The Ice Force Pro training level is the highest stage on extra long handling courses and exclusive forest tracks, you will gain more and more confidence and become one with the vehicle. Learn the difference in controlling rear engine and mid engine, and rear wheel and all wheel drive under extreme conditions on purist ice tracks.
Recommended for professionals only, the Ice Cup special training course is the adventure you have been looking for. Driving a GT race car on the track is tricky enough, throw snow and ice into the mix and you best be sure you know what you’re doing. The professional instructors from the Porsche Ice Experience will show you one on one, exactly how to master and reign in these powerful beasts.
Don’t fancy making the trip up to Finland? Not to worry, the Porsche Ice Experience is now in Canada located conveniently in Quebec. Training levels begin at Ice Trial making their way through Ice Intro, Ice Experience, Ice Force, and Ice Force Plus. On snow or on the ice, four days or five, the Canadian Ice Experience is the perfect setting with several large ski pads, 2 circuits, and 3 handling courses that will require you full attention and put your driving skills to the test. Now its up to you, are you ready to venture out onto the ice?
Written September 2021