As the temperature in Australia starts to grow warmer, some of us have begun to look abroad in search of a winter wonderland to celebrate the festive season. One of the most popular snowy destinations at Christmas is undoubtedly Lapland – the ‘official’ home of Santa Claus himself. However, there are a variety of packages available for tourists to explore this beautiful location, with Kalmar Beyond Adventure offering a particularly unique experience for festive thrill seekers. Kalmar’s ‘Spirit of Speed Arctic’ four-day ice driving experience allows guests to test the limits of the company’s specially designed Porsche cars by racing and drifting them over the ice and snow. In addition to the ice driving program, the experience includes fully catered accommodation with a private chef and a deluxe double room for four nights. With limited spaces for the courses in January 2024, here is what makes Kalmar’s Spirit of Speed the ultimate luxury winter adventure.
The ‘Spirit of Speed Arctic’ experience builds upon the legacy of Porsche’s Camp4, which began in 1996 in Finland’s capital, Rovaniemi. Over the years, it has evolved into Porsche’s premier winter driving program, conducted by dedicated Porsche event teams in various countries, including Finland, Switzerland, Italy, China, and Canada. Alternatively, Kalmar’s ‘Spirit of Speed Arctic’ is exclusive to Rovaniemi, where they provide their participants with a truly luxurious experience.
The ‘Spirit of Speed Arctic’ offers three curated itineraries for customers to choose between: Artic Control, Arctic Race, and Arctic Team. The first of these options is the standard program, in which participants of any skill level will experience two full days of mastering the art of ice-driving. The Arctic Race package is a step up in thrill-seeking, as it offers guests the option to take part in a rally together by racing through the surrounding forests and undulating tracks. Finally, the Arctic Team is a fully bespoke option, allowing group bookings to customise their experience to meet specific goals and driving desires.
The adventure begins when the team welcomes participants at the airport and shuttles them to a brand-new lodge. Accommodations involve overnight stays in the private Glass Resort Premium Lodge, with its commitment to traditional Nordic architecture blended with aspects of contemporary design. Furthermore, the lodge’s standout feature is the stunning glass walls that offer guests a jaw-dropping view of the stars and the occasional glimpse of the Northern Lights. Here, guests will be served all their meals, prepared by their private chef, with unlimited access to non-alcoholic drinks and a personal shuttle service to travel into the city centre. The first day is dedicated to enjoying the lodge and exploring the surrounding area, giving guests time to acclimatise before a local welcome dinner.
The driving days start with early breakfasts, followed by intensive training on a unique combination of ice and rally tracks. Before getting behind the wheel, participants will receive a tailored seat-fitting to ensure the utmost comfort when driving. After this, everyone will receive a full day of driving based on the customised instructional plan created by the mentors based on their individual skill sets and goals. Those who chose the Arctic Race Plan will round out this first day by discussing the pace notes preparation and rally briefing for their race the next day. Alternatively, many participants will increase the intensity on the following day by taking to new and more demanding tracks that will allow them to push their new ice-driving skills. After an action-packed experience, participants will celebrate together with a farewell dinner to conclude their extraordinary trip. Moreover, in the spirit of Christmas, Kalmar allows their participants to invite an accompanying guest to stay with them throughout their adventure and share in the incredible amenities and optional added winter experiences like snowmobile driving and husky or reindeer sledding on the last day.
The driving experience is limited to 8-10 participants, allowing each person to have their own rally-prepared Porsche, personal instructor, mechanics, and a support team. Kalmar offers various Porsche models for participants to choose from, including the original Porsche Cayenne Diesel, the fast-reacting Cayman R, and the modern 911 Carrera. The latter is featured as both the classic air-cooled 911 and as water-cooled in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. Each Porsche is equipped with competition-specification suspension, sports seats, belts, roll cages, manual transmissions with limited driving aids, and, most importantly, genuine WRC studded tires for optimal control on ice.
For a truly one-of-a-kind driving experience, Kalmar offers customers the option to commission a bespoke car with KALMAR Automotive. In doing so, owners can use the vehicle for all Kalmar driving experiences and receive ongoing service and maintenance from Kalmar’s mechanic team.
The Kalmar Beyond Adventure Spirit of Speed Arctic promises an unforgettable blend of luxury, adrenaline, and exploration. With the breathtaking Arctic landscapes as a backdrop, participants will not only master the art of ice driving but also create lasting memories in the world of high-performance Porsches. With price quotes available upon request, this exclusive experience is a perfect festive getaway for automotive enthusiasts seeking the ultimate winter adventure.