Lapland Ice Driving: Where Porsche Passion Meets Arctic Precision

In the heart of Swedish Lapland, Porsche enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike gather for a pretty unique experience: Lapland Ice Driving. This world-renowned event, founded by former test driver engineer Eric Gallardo, offers a unique blend of high-performance supercar driving and the art of ice control in a breathtaking Arctic setting.

What started as a small initiative in 2006 has now evolved into the world’s biggest winter driving area. Featuring over 13 circuits, including five exact replicas of F1 tracks, and a dream fleet of more than 30 supercars, including Porsche 992 GT3s, the event attracts drivers from all corners of the world. But what truly sets Lapland Ice Driving apart is its dedication to precision, performance, and passion.

The birth of an icy dream

Everything has to start with a vision. Eric Gallardo, former Chief Test Driver at General Motors Europe and 1999 France GT4 vice-champion, used to push cars to their limits day in, day out. He immersed himself in the art of automobile testing, combining technical skill with a deep love of driving. While training other professionals on Lapland’s ice tracks, Eric had an idea. He wanted to pass on his knowledge and bring his experience to passionate drivers outside the industry as well.

That idea came into fruition in 2006, when Eric – looking back at numerous years of experience at General Motors and Lotus Engineering – decided to share his passion for ice racing with a privileged audience and started Lapland Ice Driving. What started as a limited experience with eight customers driving prototypes quickly turned into a phenomenon that captivates thrill-seekers around the world.

I spent years pushing cars to their limits on various surfaces, but ice driving always fascinated me. The idea was to bring this experience to a wider audience – not just professionals, but passionate drivers who wanted to develop their skills in extreme conditions.

Eric Gallardo, Lapland Ice Driving founder

Building a full-scale replica of Le Castellet’s Formula One track was a game-changer

In 2010, in the face of growing interest, Lapland Ice Driving took a decisive step. Eric Gallardo, determined to pursue his dream – despite the withdrawal of General Motors – acquired the necessary infrastructure to create a driving centre, unique in the world. The turning point? A full-scale replication of the Paul Ricard Grand Prix circuit on ice. “That was a game-changer! The challenge was to recreate an F1 circuit with exact dimensions on ice. It was a technical feat and a world’s first”, Eric Gallardo recalls today. This groundbreaking innovation became the genesis of exponential growth, captivating thrill-seekers and car enthusiasts worldwide.

A paradise for Porsche purists

Today, Lapland Ice Driving has established itself as the largest ice driving venue in the world, offering an unparalleled experience for Porsche enthusiasts: 

• Exceptional circuits: 13 circuits, including 5 exact replicas of F1 circuits, covering an area six times the size of Monaco, making Lapland Ice Driving the world’s largest driving centre. 

• A dream fleet: More than 30 supercars, including a selection of Porsche 992 GT3s carefully prepared to take on extreme conditions, allow participants to test their limits on ice. 

• Unparalleled expertise: World-class instructors, some of whom compete at the highest level, share their know-how to master the art of ice driving.

Lapland Ice Driving offers a tailor-made experience 

“Lapland Ice Driving is not just about offering simple driving sessions. It’s a total immersion in a world of luxury and performance, supported by prestigious partners such as Hublot and Oakley. Every detail is thought out to guarantee a tailor-made experience, combining the adrenaline of driving with the wild beauty of Lapland”, the proud founder states.

For Porsche aficionados, Lapland Ice Driving represents a unique opportunity to test their limits in extreme conditions, while enjoying the refinement and power of the Stuttgart models. At the wheel of one of the specially prepared 992 GT3s, every turn on the ice becomes a lesson in mastery and precision. Those experiences probably remain engraved in the memory of each participant, for as long as the ice of Lapland.

03.03.2025 Lapland Ice Driving – Drifting 911 GT3s in the world’s largest Ice Driving Center More

At Lapland Ice Driving in Arjeplog, you can learn to master drifts in a Porsche 992 GT3 at up to 120 mph on ice within a couple of days!

Imagine achieving the ultimate dream in less than two days: mastering perfect drifting at the wheel of an exceptional sports car.

Eric Gallardo, Lapland Ice Driving founder

Eric’s approach goes far beyond being just a driving centre. For him, “Lapland Ice Driving is not just a driving centre. It’s a temple dedicated to the art of driving, where passion for Porsche meets the extreme beauty of the Arctic”. Gallardo can rely on a network of top-class instructors, including some of the best drivers in the world. “That way, we can ensure that each participant can master the art of ice driving, no matter if they’re a beginner or seasoned racer”, the former Lotus-man promises.

The icy supercar metamorphosis: surgical art of Lapland Ice Driving

At the heart of the Lapland Ice Driving experience is exceptional know-how. Driving a Porsche on ice at speeds exceeding 200 km/h requires more than just skill – it demands cutting-edge engineering. Lapland Ice Driving’s mechanics turn supercars into true ice kings, able to defy the extreme conditions of Lapland. Maxence Rodriguez, Senior Mechanical Specialist at LID for eight years, shares the backdrop to this exceptional preparation: 

As soon as the vehicle arrives at the workshop, like doctors analyzing a patient, the experts carefully examine each car to understand how it reacts without electronic driving aids. This crucial step ensures increased and safe driving pleasure. Then comes the delicate operation of neutralizing the ABS and ESP. This surgical intervention to the braking system involves the creation of “hydraulic shunts”, directly connecting the brakes to the master cylinder. It’s a precision job that requires in-depth knowledge of detailed mechanics and the Porsche brand. 

The protection of the “patient” is also essential. Maxence and his team design and manufacture custom-made reinforcements: protective shoes, aluminium underbodies, and reinforced front and rear bumpers. This master artisan’s work can require up to 250 hours for each new model.

Finally – as if adapting a body to a new environment- the wheels and braking system are modified. On some models like the Porsche 992 GT3 this involves changing the entire front axle, a complex operation reminiscent of an organ transplant. This unique know-how, developed over the years, is the keystone of Lapland Ice Driving’s unparalleled expertise. It allows drivers to push the limits of ice driving safely, while preserving the integrity of exceptional vehicles.

LID’s ice-prepared supercars are almost a work of art

Maxence emphasizes the importance of this preparation: “What we are doing here goes far beyond a simple winter tune-up. Each car is redesigned to offer the maximum thrill and performance in an environment that would normally be hostile to these supercars. It is a real technical challenge that we face with passion every year.”

Watching a Porsche 992 GT3 drift at more than 200 km/h on the Paul Ricard replica circuit, Maxence Rodriguezknows that every adjustment pays off. This level of preparation allows Lapland Ice Driving to offer a driving experience that is unique in the world, transforming road supercars into real ice racing machines.

Ice driving season lasts from January to March

If you want to experience Lapland Ice Driving, there’s obviously a very limited timespan. Eric’s team will welcome you between January and March in Arjeplog, Sweden. To find out more about the dates, the procedure, what’s possible and what’s included, head over to our event section!

03.03.2025 Lapland Ice Driving – Drifting 911 GT3s in the world’s largest Ice Driving Center More

At Lapland Ice Driving in Arjeplog, you can learn to master drifts in a Porsche 992 GT3 at up to 120 mph on ice within a couple of days!

© photos: Lapland Ice Driving