What’s the most fun you’ve ever had in a car? Wait … don’t answer that yet!
No matter what answer came to mind, confidently sliding sideways in a 992S with studded tires on an iced race track in freezing conditions under the guidance of a professional instructor is among the very best driving experiences you will ever have!
I’ve flown to Montreal for the past two Februarys (Februaries?), and next year in February 2025, the Golden Gate chapter of PCA has an opportunity to secure 7 driver’s slots at the 2-day Ice Intro course (Feb 12-15, 2025).
Porsche Canada has been hosting ice driving schools at Circuit Mecaglisse, about 1.5 hours north of Montreal for the past 10 years or so. They begin watering down the track in November so that a thorough layer of ice has been laid down by the time the Porsches arrive in February. There is another Porsche Experience ice driving school on frozen lakes north of the Arctic Circle in Finland, but the instructors in Quebec proudly point out that their circuit has the benefit of up and down pitches around their winter wonderland, rather than a flat lake. And, it’s only a 4.5 hour non-stop flight from SFO.
Two drivers are paired in either a rear-wheel drive 992S or an all-wheel drive 992 4S, switching back and forth between them for different training modules every hour or so. There are 6 or 7 exercises that instill different skills. The instructors stand outside in the bitter cold, giving instruction via walkie-talkie to “accelerate, lift, turn, brake, straighten out, gas gas gas!” as you negotiate slaloms, drifting circles, rally flicks, and track driving. Overcoming the natural tendency to slow down as the rear end begins to slide out is the first indication that the training is working!
At some point, someone will go off course into the snow bank, and has to call back “stop stop stop” via that same walkie-talkie. It’s embarrassing to be pulled out by the instructor in a Cayenne, but equally frustrating to think that maybe you haven’t found your limits if you haven’t yet at least brushed the snow.
The instructors also give demo rides to the students, and it’s remarkable to see how calmly a $150,000 car can be driven sideways at 30-40 mph! But by the end of the course, you’ll be doing it too.
You’ll need to plunder your closet for very cold-weather clothes or make a visit to REI; it was -30F two years ago, but unusually warm (+30F) this past year. Insulated boots like Sorels or LL Beans are standard for Canadians, and you’ll want to keep your toes from freezing when you step out of the car. Likewise, your standard issue Patagonia puffy down jacket worn around the Bay Area is going to need upgrading!
The 2-day Ice Intro course is the prerequisite for more extended driving courses. Note the prices are in Canadian dollars (currently 1CAD$ = 0.73 USD$). Non-driving guests are welcome to join the group events for an additional fee. After you’ve done it once, you’ll definitely want to return the next year for a longer course.
Ice Intro
During this two-driving day program, drivers will practice proper winter braking, cornering techniques, rally flicks, drift angles, and speed corrections. On the last day, you’ll combine these skills on the handling circuit.
Program Overview
Day 1 (Feb 12)
Arrival
Fireside Cocktail and Welcome Dinner
Day 2 (Feb 13)
Breakfast
Briefing at the hotel
First driving day
Dinner
Day 3 (Feb 14)
Breakfast
Second driving day
Farewell dinner
Day 4 (Feb 15)
Departure at leisure
Ice Intro Pricing (2025):
CAD $7,725 per person + tax
USD $5,640 per person + tax
Ice Intro Non-Driving Guest (2025):
CAD $925 per person + tax
USD $675 per person + tax
Vehicle models:
911 Carrera S/4S
Overview:
• Introduction level
• Focus on correct seating and steering position
• Vehicle dynamics and weight transfer
• Vision Skills
• Correct understeer and oversteer
• Handling ascents and descents
• Drift circles, Slalom, Scandinavian Rally Flick
• Vehicles equipped with 1.5mm studded winter tires
Accommodations are at the Esterel Resort, an all-suite hotel with two excellent restaurants, and a variety of hot tubs situated on the side of a frozen lake. If you schedule some extra time in Quebec, there is also snowmobiling, downhill or cross-country skiing in the Laurentien mountain range nearby. An option after the ice driving course is to drive about 2.5 hours east to Quebec City, a 400 year-old walled city on the St. Lawrence Seaway that redefines winter charm. The city hosts a Winter Carnival in February each year that is world famous.
If you’re interested in joining in 2025, please reach out to me (kreterb@gmail.com), as I’ll be coordinating the trip to Quebec with the help of Porsche Canada. There will only be space for 7 drivers from the Golden Gate chapter, so please reach out to me as soon as possible.