I'm often told we have the best job in the world, which is a bit of an exaggeration considering there really are professional fluffers out there. That aside, I try to explain just how hard this job can be. Take the Bridgestone Blizzak event I attended earlier this year. You have no idea how tough it can be to have to catch two planes to reach the Steamboat Springs winter resort in Colorado. Then there's the agony of staying in a resort hotel, driving ski-doos in the morning and snowboarding in the afternoon. And all that effort before we actually get to drive the damn tires at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School, where we got to slide around on snow and ice all day. Really people, this is a tough job! Obviously every day isn't like that, or why would anybody do it?
The aim of the exercise was to prove that the start of winter need not signal the end of your fun. With good snow tires, it's still possible to reach your destination safely. And if you're driving in snow, Steamboat is a great destination. They prepare the snow every night so it's perfect the next day. Check out www.steamboat.com if you want top ski, snowboard and ski-doo action.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25...
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 snow and ice tires
I regularly drive in snow but have never experienced a specific snow tire before, and the difference is remarkable. The reason is that a tire's tread compound is designed to conform to the irregularities in a road surface within a specific temperature range, so summer tires don't like the cold, and vice versa. A snow tire just won't be happy when it gets hot. So those of us living in areas with proper seasonal changes should consider changing their tires to cope with the conditions.
A snow tire works because the tread pattern is able to dig down into the snow and ice to find traction. Summer tires will actually float on top of the snow and lose traction very easily, whereas a snow tire is able to use the edge of its tread to grip the snow. So both tread pattern and tire compound are vital to making a good snow tire.
And that's where the Bridgestone Winter Driving School comes in. The school has been around since 1983, helping to teach people how to tackle the slipperiest conditions in a fun and challenging way. Anybody's welcome to attend, so check out www.winterdrive.com for details.
Hard braking and lane change...
Hard braking and lane change trial almost impossible without ABS
Since the place is sponsored by Bridgestone and it allows you to explore the limits of a car's handling in safety, what better place to try the new Blizzak snow tire? There's a range of car and SUV tires available but we were interested in the LM-25 designed for sport compacts. Sadly, we only had a Camry and Scions at our disposal, but if you're going to pile into a snowbank, it may as well be one of those, right?
The school gives you the space and confidence to do things in the snow you'd be afraid to try on the road. It stresses the importance of getting the weight on to the driven wheels and letting the car settle before attempting your maneuver. They encourage you to let the car slide, regain grip and drive out of the situation. Repetition gives you the opportunity to get it right and you really feel like you've achieved something. Like many of you, I actually thought I could drive in the snow before I went to the Winter Driving School. You quickly realize you've simply been getting away with it.