Porsche has long prided itself on the capabilities of its AWD sports cars, now joined by the likes of bona fide off-roaders the Macan and Cayenne. <a target="_blank" target="_blank">It's Driving Experience Winter</a> is offered in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Livigno, Italy, Inner Mongolia and Quebec, Canada, with four levels of instruction depending on the driver's expertise.
Porsche Driving Experience Winter (Italy, Switzerland, China and Canada) —
Porsche has long prided itself on the capabilities of its AWD sports cars, now joined by the likes of bona fide off-roaders the Macan and Cayenne. It's Driving Experience Winter is offered in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Livigno, Italy, Inner Mongolia and Quebec, Canada, with four levels of instruction depending on the driver's expertise.
Courtesy Porsche
You might not realize that many Lamborghinis feature all-wheel drive systems, and are just as at home on a frozen lake as a race track. Still there is something so outlandish about driving one in the snow that it will surely make you feel like a secret agent. Choose from <a target="_blank" target="_blank">programs in Aspen or Italy</a> with two levels of training.
Lamborghini Winter Accademia (Aspen and Italy) —
You might not realize that many Lamborghinis feature all-wheel drive systems, and are just as at home on a frozen lake as a race track. Still there is something so outlandish about driving one in the snow that it will surely make you feel like a secret agent. Choose from programs in Aspen or Italy with two levels of training.
Courtesy lamborghini
It's safe to assume that the world's most powerful, luxurious and exclusive SUV is no slouch in the snow, but Bentley enthusiasts have a chance to find out for sure at <a target="_blank" target="_blank">the brand's Power On Ice event in Finland</a>. The new $229,000-plus Bentayga joins the all-wheel drive Continental GT and Flying Spur at the lavish event which also features an ice bar and some sauna time.
Bentley Power On Ice (Finland) —
It's safe to assume that the world's most powerful, luxurious and exclusive SUV is no slouch in the snow, but Bentley enthusiasts have a chance to find out for sure at the brand's Power On Ice event in Finland. The new $229,000-plus Bentayga joins the all-wheel drive Continental GT and Flying Spur at the lavish event which also features an ice bar and some sauna time.
Courtesy Bentley
If classic Porsches are more your style, <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Below Zero Ice Driving</a> is the answer. Vintage rally 911s specially prepped for an ice driving course deliver a more visceral thrill than today's near-autonomous autos. Below Zero lays claim to being the only ice driving operator to exclusively use competition cars.
Below Zero Ice Driving (Sweden) —
If classic Porsches are more your style, Below Zero Ice Driving is the answer. Vintage rally 911s specially prepped for an ice driving course deliver a more visceral thrill than today's near-autonomous autos. Below Zero lays claim to being the only ice driving operator to exclusively use competition cars.
Courtesy Below Zero Ice Driving
Maserati has been extolling the inclement weather virtues of the optional Q4 "on demand" all-wheel drive system on its Quattroporte and new Ghibli sedan, and <a target="_blank" target="_blank">what better venue than Aspen</a> to put it to the test. The marque partners with luxury ski resorts for a fully indulgent experience.
Maserati Aspen Winter Drive Experience —
Maserati has been extolling the inclement weather virtues of the optional Q4 "on demand" all-wheel drive system on its Quattroporte and new Ghibli sedan, and what better venue than Aspen to put it to the test. The marque partners with luxury ski resorts for a fully indulgent experience.
Courtesy maserati
Rounding out the trio of Aspen programs, Aston Martin takes over an exclusive ranch to stage its <a target="_blank" target="_blank">007-worthy winter driving school</a>. In addition to the excitement behind the wheel, they promise "gastronomic delights" as well. Still it's no surprise Astons can handle bad weather -- they are British cars after all.
Aston Martin On Ice (Aspen) —
Rounding out the trio of Aspen programs, Aston Martin takes over an exclusive ranch to stage its 007-worthy winter driving school. In addition to the excitement behind the wheel, they promise "gastronomic delights" as well. Still it's no surprise Astons can handle bad weather -- they are British cars after all.
Courtesy Aston Martin
Land Rover has teamed up with travel experts <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Abercrombie & Kent</a> to offer a fitting adventure for the new <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Discovery Sport in Iceland</a>. The real winter driving action takes place at historic Thingvellir National Park, complete with glaciers and northern lights, followed by a night on the town in Reykjavik.
Land Rover Iceland Adventure —
Land Rover has teamed up with travel experts Abercrombie & Kent to offer a fitting adventure for the new Discovery Sport in Iceland. The real winter driving action takes place at historic Thingvellir National Park, complete with glaciers and northern lights, followed by a night on the town in Reykjavik.
Courtesy Land Rover
No one would dare question the ability of an all-wheel drive BMW to perform in winter weather, but as any instructor would tell you the driver needs to be just as competent. <a target="_blank" target="_blank">BMW's program</a> may not be as sexy as some but there's no doubt you'll come away equipped to deal with whatever mother nature can throw at you.
BMW Snow Drift Training (Polar Circle) —
No one would dare question the ability of an all-wheel drive BMW to perform in winter weather, but as any instructor would tell you the driver needs to be just as competent. BMW's program may not be as sexy as some but there's no doubt you'll come away equipped to deal with whatever mother nature can throw at you.
Courtesy BMW
Audi of course was a pioneer in consumer AWD technology with its Quattro system introduced in 1980, as it many rally victories can attest. Its <a target="_blank" target="_blank">program in New Zealand</a> is one of the most exotic on offer. Learn how to do the "dog bone" and more on a private ice field at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds.
Audi Ice Experience (New Zealand) —
Audi of course was a pioneer in consumer AWD technology with its Quattro system introduced in 1980, as it many rally victories can attest. Its program in New Zealand is one of the most exotic on offer. Learn how to do the "dog bone" and more on a private ice field at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds.
Courtesy Audi
Mercedes-Benz's high performance division offers a suitably <a target="_blank" target="_blank">luxurious winter driving experience</a> at its private lodge in Arjeplog, Sweden. You can choose one of their famed supercharged sports cars, of course, but if you go taking a spin in the iconic military-derived G-Wagen SUV is a must.
AMG Winter Sporting (Sweden) —
Mercedes-Benz's high performance division offers a suitably luxurious winter driving experience at its private lodge in Arjeplog, Sweden. You can choose one of their famed supercharged sports cars, of course, but if you go taking a spin in the iconic military-derived G-Wagen SUV is a must.
Courtesy AMG
From Aspen to Iceland: 10 of the world's best winter driving experiences
CNN  — 

When it comes to wild and wooly winter weather, most people would rather not drive at all. But a stalwart few see it as an opportunity to test the limits of both their skills behind the wheel and of the increasingly capable machines being built for ever-demanding car buyers.

'Like riding on the moon': Welcome to the fastest place in the world

Nearly every luxury marque worth the name runs a winter driving program in some frosty corner of the globe, with the added benefit that several of them are not only open to existing owners but anyone with the price of admission.

From Audi in New Zealand to Bentley in Finland and Porsche in the Arctic Circle – plus a veritable traffic jam of exotics in Aspen – there are plenty of below-zero automotive adventures waiting to be had. So scroll through the gallery above for the world’s top 10 winter driving experiences.