LAND Rover’s take on the frozen planet is a Nordic adventure which reveals all about winter driving. Out on an ice field 50 miles north of Helsinki in Finland a fleet of Range Rovers was taken to the limit in treacherous conditions. On surfaces so slippery even a pedestrian would struggle to stand the British-built 4x4s tackled purpose-built handling courses driving through drifts several feet deep. Helped by studded snow tyres and Land Rover’s sophisticated traction systems the cars can negotiate a slalom on ice at speeds of up to 30mph with the driver in absolute command. Switch off the electronic aids and it’s a different story with the vehicles pirouetting out of control as soon as speed becomes excessive. But that is one of the key aspects of the sessions at the Hameenlinna off-road centre where the Land Rover Experience team has its Finnish base. Not only do drivers get to feel just what a Land Rover can do they also get to grips with driving techniques which can help them cope in wintry conditions. The drive only a few hundred miles from the Arctic Circle has just become the latest Land Rover Adventure holiday – a four day luxury Scandinavian excursion. With the chance to sample the latest Range Rover Evoque as well as the more established Range Rover Sport and the classic Range Rover, it was an opportunity to discover what has made Land Rover 4x4s legendary across the world. All the vehicles are fitted with Terrain Response – an advanced traction system invented by Land Rover which uses sophisticated electronics to deliver optimum traction in a variety of conditions. It comes into its own on the ice tracks which have been specifically created to demonstrate how a Range Rover can handle low grip surfaces. The system also gives the cars excellent adhesion on the snow covered forest roads which crisscross this winter wonderland. Outside temperatures were dropping as low as -22C during the day in a Siberian blast across Europe but the climate controls inside the Range Rovers were keeping occupants as warm as toast. And before the air conditioned heaters kick in you quickly discover why a Land Rover trait is to have all major control capable of being operated by a gloved hand. The winter driving sessions include training about accelerating and braking in snow as well as dealing with steering on ice and side slides. The adventure also gave drivers the chance to try out the so-called Big Foot vehicles – two specially converted Defenders which use giant tyres to conquer deep snow. The Nordic holiday is already a sell out and is one of two adventure trips being organised by Land Rover this year – the second being an eight day expedition to Tanzania to track the Great Migration. Taking place throughout September and October customers will follow the two million strong herd of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra making their way across the plains of Africa in search of good grazing. For this excursion Land Rover will be using Discovery 4 vehicles through the Serengeti National Park and also to the famous Ngorongoro Crater. Guests will also get the chance to take a hot air balloon ride over the reserve. Prices are still to be confirmed by Land Rover but will be in the region of £8,500 per person, excluding flights to Nairobi. Closer to home Land Rover is also offering winter driving training courses which costs £99 per person at its 10 UK experience centres which include sites in the Midlands, Cheshire, Merseyside, north Yorkshire and in Perthshire | 
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