How to Drift on Ice in Four Easy Steps

We spent time last week in Lake Tahoe learning all about the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country, coincidentally avoiding the East Coast and Midwestern blizzards that wreaked havoc on highways and city streets.

It was a useful lesson, as we're often asked to offer advice on driving in adverse conditions to friends, family, and enthusiasts. Since driving on the ice presents its own set of futile problems, such as complete lack of traction, we tested the V60 Cross Country with studded tires in a closed drift course environment on an airport runway. (You know, for education's sake.)

So, can you keep a can controlled in icy conditions? Scroll down to learn about ice driving in four simple steps:

Step 1: Find a thick sheet of ice. If on dry land, make sure that you have plenty of runoff area. If on a lake, inspect it thoroughly before ever setting a wheel on the layer of ice, lest your vehicle fall in.

Step 2: Slowly begin driving on the ice. The wheels may slip, so be gentle with steering inputs. To go left, turn left. It's as easy as that. Do not use the brakes. 

Step 3: As you build speed, keep turn-in angles wide and start to add opposite lock-turning the steering wheel the opposite direction, aka counter-steering-to maintain a smooth line. You'll begin to slide, confidently and in control.

Step 4: Once in the drift and sliding, angle the steering wheel so that the rear of the vehicle remains sliding smoothly, and give it bursts of acceleration while doing so. Congratulations: You've learned to throttle steer on ice! Now, go find a closed environment of your own, or a winter driving school, and practice.