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Steamboat Magazine

Bridgestone Winter Driving School Opens 35th Season

12/21/2018 01:35PM ● By Alesha Damerville

Image from Bridgestone Tires

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS- The Bridgestone Winter Driving School, the only purpose-built, terrain-based school of its kind in North America, opened it’s 35th consecutive season Saturday, December 15. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School has been teaching the proper techniques for driving in cold-weather, low-grip situations on its signature ice and snow-covered tracks in Steamboat Springs, Colorado since 1983. 
 
“We are delighted to be enjoying record snowfall in Steamboat Springs for the opening of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. Our team delivers a wide scope of training programs for every driver from beginner to pro racer as well as our targeted custom programs such as trailering on ice and mission-specific training,” said Mark Cox, director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. “As the nation’s first and foremost winter driving school we are honored to share the cutting edge skills that make drivers competent and confident in the most challenging driving conditions imaginable. The skills mastered here make driving in all conditions more manageable and safer.”
 
A broad range of 2019 model-year Toyota vehicles equipped with Bridgestone’s revolutionary Blizzak tires (WS80 and DM-V1) are standard equipment in the school’s safety and performance programs. Vehicles include the front-wheel-drive Camry XSE; the front-wheel-drive Corolla XSE Hatchback; the all-wheel-drive Highlander SE; the part-time 4WD 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium; and the front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive 86 (one GT automatic and two TRD Special Edition with six-speed manual transmissions).
 
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School is scheduled to operate seven days a week through early March. Half-day, full day, multi-day performance, corporate and private courses are available. A distinct range of safety and performance courses on a variety of levels are taught by driving professionals with years of experience in many facets of motorsports. Clients range from the young permit holder to the professional race driver. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School also offers off-site seminars and classroom training sessions.
 
2018/2019 safety programs, intended for the everyday driver, feature the popular Second Gear full-day course, as well as the introductory First Gear half-day class. Both courses maximize hands-on driving time. Corporate and custom safety courses are also available to fit the needs of any group. Personalized private one-on-one training is also offered upon completion of a standard class. 
 
One and two-day 2018/2019 performance courses offer the highest level of driver training available and incorporate world rally racing techniques. The most advanced cornering, acceleration, and braking skills are developed to maximize balance and control in the most challenging conditions. Courses are designed for driving enthusiasts, law enforcement groups, military specialists, stunt drivers, automotive test engineers, and aspiring and current professional racers. Fully customizable performance courses are available to meet the specific needs of any group. 
 
With Toyota’s generous support, course participants may choose to register to win a 2019 Toyota Rav4 XSE Hybrid (to be awarded in late 2019). 
 
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School’s headquarters are centrally located at 2300 Mount Werner Circle at The Shops at The Steamboat Grand, across from the Ski Area Gondola Transportation Center. Intentionally designed with the clients’ best interests in mind, the facility features a spacious entry, natural light, visual technology, and contemporary finishes.
 
For additional information, register for classes, sign up for the new BWDS newsletter, or purchase materials, visit winterdrive.com, or call 1.800.WHY.SKID/1.800.949.7543. Follow us on Facebook (@BWDS.Steamboat), Instagram (@whyskidsteamboat), and on Twitter(@WDrivingSchool). Reviews can be found on Yelp and TripAdvisor.
 
About the Bridgestone Winter Driving School
The Bridgestone Winter Driving School has been teaching safe driving techniques in real winter driving conditions on purpose-built ice and snow tracks in Steamboat Springs, CO since 1983. Students, young and old, achieve competence and confidence using the latest products from title sponsor Bridgestone. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School is exclusively powered by Toyota with front-, rear-, all-wheel, and 4WD Toyota vehicles equipped with Bridgestone’s revolutionary Blizzak tires as standard equipment in the school’s safety and performance programs. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School operates seven days a week from late December to early March. For additional information, register for classes, sign up for the BWDS newsletter, or purchase materials, visit winterdrive.com or call 1.800.WHY.SKID/1.800.949.7543.