Pushing Past Comfort with Porsche Ice Experience
I’ve always believed that nothing great ever happens within our comfort zone. It’s only when we leave behind what we know and enter uncharted territories that our growth begins. In confidence and grit, for instance, we prove to ourselves what we are truly capable of. This past February, I challenged myself in this way when I attended the Porsche Ice Experience, a hands-on driving program formerly known as Camp4, which I attended for the first two years ago.
On a Tuesday night, I arrived in northern Québec, where I checked in once again to the serene, lakeside resort that is Estérel. There, I met the rest of the attendees, and together we were greeted with a warm welcome dinner, followed by a quiet night.
“The next morning, it was game on. Bright and early we rose, for breakfast with a side serving of winter driving theory, to prep us for what lay ahead. Hint: getting behind the wheel of a Porsche on snow- and ice-laden tracks. Cue the first of many adrenaline rushes!”
By 9:15am we’d arrived at Porsche’s driving facility, Mécaglisse, our destination for the day. Built expressly for the cold-weather testing we were about to do, the facility is comprised of four circuits, five skid-pads, and challenging handling courses. After meeting our instructors, it was time to get on the track.
(As a side note, it’s worth noting that Porsche Ice Experience has a number of programs: Ice Intro—the one I did, Ice Experience, Ice Force, and Ice Force +. To experience one of the more advanced programs, you first have to complete those preceding it, as each builds on the next, honing your skills as you go.)
Taking the driver’s seat, I was taught skills like proper winter braking, hill-starts on low-traction surfaces, cornering techniques, drift angles, and speed corrections. In the afternoon, this was all brought together when I went out to the frosted handling circuit. It was nerve-wracking, but thrilling! Unlike the previous time where I proceeded with caution and nerves, this time I pushed myself past my instinct and into a new uncharted territory. I will not forget that exhilarating feeling of being in charge, not only of a car but also my nerves.
Many thanks to Porsche Canada for yet another unforgettable experience that has made me a safer driver, and, without a doubt, challenged and pushed me beyond my comfort zone.
With Love…
Marta
Disclosure
This wonderful experience was courtesy of Porsche Canada. All of the views in this article are my own and were not mandated by the brand. To learn more about how we partner with brands please see our Disclosure & Transparency Guidelines.