If you’re struggling to find a suitable Christmas present for a fellow petrolhead or haven’t yet booked your holiday for next year, then the subject matter in this article may be for you. In January 2024, events company Kalmar Beyond Adventure is offering bespoke ice driving experiences in Lapland using Porsches from sister company Kalmar Automotive.

Suitable for drivers with varying degrees of experience, guests will be put through their paces in a wide selection of rally-prepared Kalmar Porsches with driving stages going through forests and across frozen lakes. In addition, rallycross stages up to 12km long used by FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) teams during testing will be on offer in experiences that vary in difficulty.

Guests can choose which Porsche takes their fancy, from air-cooled classic 911s (964 and 993) to water-cooled 996s in both rear and all-wheel drive. Away from 911s, guests can choose a mid-engined Cayman R - a more capable off-roader able to handle difficult terrain with its PDK gearbox. All built by Kalmar Automotive, each model has been tailored to compete on the ice, with weight saving measures enforced as well as competition specific suspension, sports seats, roll cages and underbody protection. To help grip in the icy conditions, all cars are fitted with genuine WRC studded tyres.

One-to-one tuition can be personalised to suit each guest’s capability and goals and amongst the driving tutors will be two-time WRC champion Marcus Grönholm who has 30 rally wins and 61 podiums to his name.

There are three packages to choose from:

Arctic Control - Participants will perfect section training and progress to full track driving and night-driving sessions, with fast-track opportunities for the more experienced.
Arctic Race - A step up from Arctic Control, this real rally experience – including pace notes – will have guests racing against each other through forests on long weaving tracks with plenty of interesting and potentially unnerving corners.
Arctic Team - A fully bespoke programme, created especially for groups to meet their goals and driving desires.

Those who take part in the driving experience can bring a non-driving guest to stay at the private Glass Resort Premium Lodge which boasts local cuisine, a spa and a spectacular view of the northern lights.

The four-day experience packages include two seven-hour driving days with one instructor per car, overnight luxury accommodation, personal shuttle service, meals prepared by a private chef and all non-alcoholic drinks. Guests select a driving package and an experience is tailored by the Kalmar Beyond Adventure team. Prices for these luxury bespoke experiences are available on application.

Kalmar Beyond Adventure – Spirit of Speed Arctic 2024 Availability:
Arctic Control: 15 – 18 January 2024
Arctic Control: 18 – 21 January 2024
Arctic Control: 21 – 24 January 2024
Arctic Race: 24 – 27 January 2024
Arctic Race: 27 – 30 January 2024 – SOLD OUT
Arctic Control: 30 January – 2 February 2024 – SOLD OUT

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Kalmar Beyond Adventure