Master the Art of Ice Driving with Porsche Ice Experience

It’s about control. And balance. Poise and precision too. But more than anything, fun. Mastering how to pilot Porsche’s newest 911 models around an ice-packed, snow-covered, sinewy racetrack has to be fun, right? Heart-pounding, finger-tingling, grin-inducing fun.

Welcome to Porsche Ice Experience. Created by Porsche Canada back in 2011, it offers one, or multiday winter-driving program to give drivers the skills they need to have fun driving on ice, while taking it to the limit in safety. 

You don’t need to be a Porsche owner, or part of the Porsche community to participate; the program is open to anyone 21 or older. And not just from Canada; Porsche Ice Experience attracts enthusiasts from around the globe. Come for the driving, stay for the skiing.

The action takes place at Circuit Mécaglisse in the heart of Quebec’s Laurentian mountains, an easy 90-minute drive from Montreal. Spread over 700 acres, it features two serpentine tracks, five skidpads and a variety of challenging handling courses, all snow-covered and ice-packed during winter months.

A team of world-class pro-drivers-turned-instructors is on hand to help sharpen your control, boost your confidence, and teach you the techniques needed to handle one of Porsche Ice Experience’s fleet 911s in the snow.

And what a fleet. Everything from the latest rear-wheel-drive, Carrera S and all-wheel-drive, Carrera 4 GTS to – depending on the course you pick – a scorching 911 Turbo and race-honed 911 GT3. All are fitted with studded winter tires to aid traction and add to the fun.

Take your pick from no fewer than six levels of instruction on offer running throughout February next year when conditions at Circuit Mécaglisse are perfect for playing in the snow.

First up is Ice Trial, which provides a one-day introduction into driving on ice. Piloting both a 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4 GTS, you’ll learn winter driving basics, skid control, correcting understeer and oversteer, and the art of the Scandinavian “flick”. It’s the closest to dancing on ice. Course dates are either February 2-3, or 7-8 with pricing starting at $3,980 CAD plus applicable provincial taxes. Bring along a non-driving guest to enjoy the hotel part of the program for $350.

The Ice Intro course is an expanded two-day program that dials-up the coaching, teaching the art of drifting, slaloming, and high speed control on one of the circuit’s handling pads. It again features the latest 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4 GTS models. Course dates are either February 3-6, 5-8, or 11-14 with pricing from $7,880 CAD ($950 for non-driving guests).

Drivers who have already completed an Ice Intro session can step-up to the more intense Ice Experience course. This three-day program moves on to teaching more advanced techniques, like left-foot braking, handling ascents and descents, and weight transfer. It also takes participants on to the 2.5 km race track to introduce drivers to high-speed lapping. Course dates are either February 8-12, or 13-17 with pricing from $9,580 CAD ($1,250 for a non-driving guest).

Things get even more serious with the Ice Force program which lets you push your limits in one of Porsche’s 911 Turbo and GT3 models. This track-centric experience lets drivers who’ve completed the Ice Experience session, master drifting through the curves on Circuit Mécaglisse’s undulating main track, and experience those 500-plus-hp 911 rocketships for lap after lap. The course runs from February 16-20 with pricing starting at $11,080 CAD ($1,550 for non-driving guests).

If Ice Force leaves you wanting more, stay for an extra day to experience the pure adrenaline of Ice Force+ that focuses purely on high-speed lapping sessions. One of the expert instructors will ride along to give one-on-one program and fine-tune your driving techniques in a 911 Turbo and GT3. It’s scheduled for February 20 with pricing starting at $3,980 CAD ($550 for non-driving guest).

If you’re a woman looking to gain winter driving skills, but maybe in a less-competitive atmosphere, Porsche is again offering Ice for HER. This one-day, two-night, ladies-only program teaches everything from skid recoveries, to correcting understeer and oversteer, to braking techniques, all with the aim of building confidence to drive on snow and ice. February 7-9 are the dates, with prices starting at $4,680 CAD ($500 for non-driving guests).

In addition to all the driving thrills, Porsche Ice Experience is also about kicking back, enjoying fine dining, fireside conversations, and a genuine sense of camaraderie among fellow Porsche-loving participants and instructors.

For 2026, Porsche Ice Experience’s base will be at one of the area’s premier hotels a short luxury coach ride from the track, and typically less than an hour’s drive from Montreal. All accommodations and meals both at the hotel and track are included in the price (though spa treatments and other add-on hotel amenities are not).

And when the program wraps-up, the fun and thrills can continue. Ski aficionados can take to the slopes at nearby Saint-Sauveur. Or head to the world-famous Mont Tremblant ski resort less than 70 kms away. 

As one Porsche Ice Experience participant summed-up after their recent participation: “It’s been the best driving experience of my life”.