Steamboat Springs, CO – Are you white-knuckled when driving over mountain passes en route to your favorite ski slopes? If so, one facility in Colorado lets you hone your winter driving skills in combination with a ski vacation.
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, the only purpose-built, terrain-based school of its kind in North America, is now open for the 2015-16 season. Steady December snowfall, with a foot of new snow already this week, has made for ideal winter surface conditions on the school’s signature ice and snow-covered tracks.
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School has been teaching the proper techniques for driving in cold-weather, low-grip situations in this Colorado ski resort town since 1983.
“The Bridgestone Winter Driving School is now in operation seven days a week for the winter season. The entire team carries on the tradition as North America’s first and foremost winter driving school,” said Mark Cox, director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. “With targeted programs for everyone from the new driver to the career pro racer, track conditions are perfect. When you master the skills and techniques to conquer winters worst you are also learning skills that make driving in every condition safer.”
Bridgestone’s innovative Blizzak winter tires have been featured at the school for more than a decade. A broad range of 2016 model-year Lexus vehicles equipped with Blizzaks are standard equipment in the school’s safety and performance programs.
Five different 2016 Lexus models will be used for programs during the 2015-16 season, including: the new all-wheel drive NX 200t CUV; the full-time four-wheel drive GX 460 SUV; the front-wheel drive ES 350 sedan; and the rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions of the IS performance sedan.
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School is scheduled to operate seven days a week through early March. Half-day, full day, multi-day, corporate and private courses are available. A distinct range of courses on a variety of levels is taught by driving professionals with years of experience in many facets of motor sports. Clients range from the young permit holder to the professional race driver. Additionally, the Bridgestone Winter Driving School offers off-site seminars and classroom training sessions.
2015-16 safety programs, intended for the everyday driver, feature the popular Second Gear full-day course, as well as the introductory First Gear half-day class. Both courses maximize hands-on driving time. Corporate and custom safety courses are also available to fit the needs of any group. Personalized private one-on-one training is also offered upon completion of a standard course.
The performance courses incorporate world rally racing techniques. The most advanced cornering, acceleration, and braking skills are developed to maximize balance and control in the most challenging conditions. These courses are designed for driving enthusiasts, law enforcement groups, military specialists, stunt drivers, automotive test engineers, and aspiring and current professional racers. Fully customizable performance courses are available to meet the specific needs of any group.
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School’s headquarters are located at 2300 Mount Werner Circle at The Shops at The Steamboat Grand, across from the Ski Area Gondola Transportation Center. For additional information, to register, or to purchase materials, visit winterdrive.com.