Ice Driving USA

Ice Driving USA is a winter driving school on frozen Dollar Lake at Eagle River in northern Wisconsin, the town that calls itself the snowmobile capital of the world. It is run by Patrik Sandell with DirtFish Rally School and Flatout Sweden named as collaborators, and the cars are all wheel drive on studded tyres, brought over from Sweden.

You drive. Two participants share a car and the coaches stand out on the ice rather than ride along, except on the three day advanced programme, where the instructor is in the car. The day is drifting, slalom courses and the long course on the lake, with a rally stage added on the three day programmes and thrill rides included on all of them.

The programmes run on selected dates from January to March, from a single day to three, and the longer ones add three course dinners by a Swedish chef to the Scandinavian style lunches. The Chanticleer Inn beside the lake is the base for morning registration and the evenings, with rooms booked separately.

• All wheel drive cars on studded tyres, shipped in from Sweden. You drive, two drivers to a car, swapping through the day.
• The coaches stand out on the ice and talk you round over the radio. On the three day advanced programme an instructor rides in the car with you.
• Drifting, slalom courses and the long course across the lake, coached to your level. The three day programmes add a rally stage.
• Thrill rides are part of every programme.
• The advanced programme runs an evening session on the lake. Nothing is timed and nobody races.
• Mornings start at the Chanticleer Inn beside the lake, and the group comes back there after the driving.
• Best way to experience it: the one day programme is the entry and sells out first. Two days adds a night and a dinner, three days adds the rally stage, and the advanced programme is only for drivers who have done a similar school before.

• 2027 dates and prices per person: One Day 6 February US$1,967 (fully booked). Two Day 7 to 8 February US$3,279. Three Day 20 to 22 February US$4,919. Three Day Advanced 13 to 15 February (sold out) or 27 February to 1 March US$5,919.
• Included: coaching, Scandinavian style lunches, refreshments and thrill rides on every programme, three course dinners on the two and three day programmes. Rooms are not included.
• Add ons: none are sold. Rooms at the Chanticleer Inn are booked separately through relax@icedrivingusa.com.
• Drivers must be 18 years of age or over with a valid driver's licence. No minors. The advanced programme is for drivers who have attended a similar driving school.
• Spectators and guests cannot ride in the cars.
• Wear winter clothing and footwear with grip, no open toed shoes or heels. The safety briefing is mandatory before you get in a car, seat belts stay on, and alcohol before or during the day is banned.
• Damage: repairs under US$1,500 are charged at parts and OEM labour. Over that you pay a US$1,500 excess by card on the day. Fuel, normal wear and mechanical issues are covered unless you caused them.
• Paid in full when you book. Cancellations earn credit toward a future programme, never a cash refund: 10 percent fee 60 to 45 days out, 20 percent 45 to 15 days out, 30 percent 15 days to 48 hours out, nothing inside 48 hours. If the school cancels for extreme weather you get a full refund or credit.
• Late arrival can be treated as a no show. Racing or timing laps gets you removed without a refund.
• The operator puts Rhinelander airport about 30 minutes away and Wausau about 1 hour 40.
• Group and corporate programmes through linnea@icedrivingusa.com.

• Last verified: 19 October 2026
• Official link: https://icedrivingusa.com/