For those of us who don’t regularly face icy roads, driving on snow can be an intimidating experience. Understanding how to maintain traction while keeping control of the car — especially when dealing with understeer or oversteer — is crucial for staying safe. Fortunately, Bridgestone’s Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offers the ideal environment to master these skills. With expert instruction and real-world scenarios, it teaches drivers how to navigate slippery conditions with confidence — and what to do when things don’t go as planned.

Nestled in scenic farmland just outside one of Colorado’s top ski resorts, Bridgestone’s Winter Driving School offers a thrilling yet educational experience on three distinct tracks, each featuring elevation changes and challenging obstacles. Open to the public, the school provides hands-on training with professional drivers riding shotgun, guiding you through the dos and don’ts of regaining control when traction slips away. By the end of the session, you'll not only gain confidence behind the wheel but also feel like a pro yourself — mastering tricky conditions and even nailing the perfect ice drift.

Start easy, then go hard

As a leader in tire innovation, Bridgestone offers a range of winter tires designed for maximum grip in icy conditions. Our day began behind the wheel of a current-gen Toyota Highlander AWD, fitted with Bridgestone’s Blizzak DM-V2 tires — engineered with a specialized compound that channels water away for improved traction and braking performance.

The first set of exercises focused on mastering stopping on ice. With the antilock braking system (ABS) disabled, we accelerated to 25 mph before executing a hard stop, releasing the brakes, locking the tires again and repeating the process until the Highlander came to a complete stop. The challenge? Halt before crossing a designated line of cones — standing in for stopped traffic — a crucial skill for real-world winter driving

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While the exercise seemed straightforward, it was eye-opening to see how even a small speed difference could have major consequences. Stopping from 22 mph required noticeably less distance than from 25 mph — a seemingly minor gap that could mean the difference between a safe stop and a collision. At 28 mph, the challenge intensified, with the Highlander’s weight shifting more dramatically to the front, making control even trickier. The lesson was clear: In icy conditions, every mile per hour matters.

Winter tires are essential for maintaining control in challenging conditions, as they’re specifically engineered to maximize grip on slippery surfaces. Black ice, packed snow and cold, wet pavement significantly reduce traction, making it harder to stop or correct understeer and oversteer. Unlike all-season tires, winter tires feature deeper, more aggressive tread patterns and specialized rubber compounds that remain flexible in freezing temperatures, allowing them to bite into snow and ice (and even pick up and take it with, as snow-on-snow friction is high) for improved stability and braking performance.

The next challenge required us to bring the Highlander to a stop within a designated coned-off zone, roughly the size of two parking spaces. While this might sound like a simple task, the real test came from attempting it on an icy downhill slope — an entirely different ballgame compared to stopping on dry pavement. Each small increase in speed meant adjusting our braking point; misjudging it even slightly resulted in overshooting the box.

Despite the slick conditions, the Blizzak DM-V2 tires proved their worth, delivering impressive traction and grip. Some sections of the track were naturally more treacherous than others, but with the right tires and proper technique, we were able to navigate the challenge effectively, maximizing both control and confidence.

Controlling the vehicle when it’s out of control

Before breaking for lunch, we hopped into a fifth-gen Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road, also equipped with Blizzak DM-V2 tires, for a drifting challenge on a half-circle course. The layout added an extra layer of difficulty — starting with a slippery downhill section before transitioning into an uphill climb. Managing throttle input was key; too much gas too soon, and we’d spin out, too little, and we’d struggle to regain traction.

Despite the relatively low speeds — averaging under 15 mph — controlling the rear of the 4Runner proved tricky. On our first few attempts, the moment we hit the slickest patches of ice, the vehicle broke loose almost instantly, forcing us to quickly adjust our steering and throttle control to stay on course. It was a humbling but invaluable lesson in the delicate balance required for winter driving. It took a few tries to get the rhythm down, but after five or six passes, we began to understand the delicate dance of letting the SUV slide before applying just the right amount of throttle and counter-steer. The key was patience — allowing the front wheels to regain traction before making any aggressive inputs. Throttle control was especially crucial; too much gas would send us spinning, while too little meant losing momentum. Finding that perfect balance made all the difference, turning what initially felt chaotic into a smooth, controlled drift.

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After mastering the fundamentals, it was time to put our skills to the test on a full lap around the school’s 1-mile track. This time, we pushed the pace, reaching higher speeds than we had in the morning while applying our newfound knowledge of braking and throttle control.

With a mix of sweeping corners and tight U-turns, managing the 4Runner’s slides required finesse, but the lessons from earlier in the day proved invaluable. The Blizzak DM-V2 tires continued to impress, offering solid traction despite the slick conditions. After a few laps, what initially felt daunting became second nature, and we found ourselves more confident behind the wheel — reading the surface, adjusting inputs, and fully embracing the art of winter driving.

The second part of the day was dedicated to comparing two all-terrain tires: the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent and the Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus. Although neither of these tires is designed specifically for winter conditions, it quickly became clear that the Dueler A/T Ascent outperformed the Pirelli in this test. From the moment we started, the Bridgestone tire impressed with its ability to maintain traction, whether making sharp low-speed turns or navigating a curve at 30 mph.

We drove both tires back to back on fifth-gen 4Runners, and the difference in handling was immediately noticeable. While we didn't conduct formal instrumented tests, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent provided significantly better grip and traction, making the 4Runner feel more planted and responsive compared to the Pirelli.

Feeling like a pro

The final leg of the day was by far the most thrilling. Having honed our snow-handling skills, we hopped into a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla AWD, equipped with the new Bridgestone Blizzak 6 — set to hit the market this May. Tailored for sports cars, performance sedans and crossovers, the Blizzak 6 enhances both snow performance and wet braking. It’s also Bridgestone’s first winter tire featuring Enliten technology, which focuses on optimizing performance, safety and sustainability.

To elevate the challenge, Bridgestone’s instructors revamped the 1-mile track, adding a more competitive edge. The course now included high-speed sections, sharp corners and tricky zigzags. While we struggled with basic tasks like stopping in a straight line earlier that morning, by the end of the day, we were confidently drifting around corners, feeling like seasoned pros behind the wheel.

The GR Corolla’s smaller size made it easier to control than larger vehicles like the 4Runner and Highlander, but the Blizzak 6 tires played a crucial role in making the experience even more enjoyable. The tires’ direct response in the corners provided exceptional handling, and their grip in slippery conditions was truly impressive. While the all-wheel-drive system certainly aided performance, the Blizzak 6 tires were instrumental in delivering outstanding cornering and stability, making them a standout choice for performance vehicles tackling winter conditions.

Can I do it?

Bridgestone’s Winter Driving School is open to the public from mid-December to mid-March, depending on the season’s weather conditions. As the only school of its kind in North America, it offers a unique opportunity for those visiting Steamboat Springs who may want a break from the slopes. Not only is it an incredibly fun experience, it's also an invaluable learning opportunity. The professional drivers who accompany you in the car are friendly and exceptional teachers, guiding you through each exercise with expertise. By the end of the day, you'll leave feeling like a pro, no matter how often you drive in snowy conditions.

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