Get started: The ultimate guide to drifting in the snow!

Thomas Wachsmuth 20 January 2023 Tips, products, information & Co.

Reading time 5 Min.

drifting in Snow is an adrenaline-pumping, fun type of winter sport, but unfortunately on public roads is not allowed. That's it... It's clear that it requires skill and concentration, but the feeling of skidding over soft powder snow is worth the intensive learning process. But where do you start? And how do you become a semi-pro at snow drifting? We've put together a little guide to help you learn how to drift in the snow! With our tips, tricks and techniques, from assemblies and driving styles to fails and mistakes, the drifting skills get better and better.

and the Drift in the snow

Setting up the vehicle: everything you need to know about the settings
Human Factors: Tips for Controlling Driving Style
Managing risk and snow: how to better manage the conditions

Adjust to your surroundings: pay attention to the peculiarities of the landscape and geography
Choose the Right Drift Type: Understand different drift techniques and use conditions

For car fans, there is hardly anything nicer than driving down a freshly groomed slope, making the perfect curves and taking the momentum with you. But if you really want to experience something special in the snow, you have to try to master drifting. Drifting is a technique where you steer a car through a corner at a sharp angle, floating it on a layer of soft snow instead of braking it. It's an art that requires skills in reaction, timing and strength, but mastering it can reap the rewards of adrenaline rush and a sense of freedom and invincibility.

As you have already noticed, drifting in the snow and on closed tracks is a sporty and exciting activity that can bring you a lot of joy if you learn how to use the techniques correctly. You have to make sure that the vehicle is set up correctly and you also have to pay attention to the surroundings. Before you dive into the snow, you should familiarize yourself with the factors that determine success. Let's start by setting up the vehicle. If you adjust the vehicle properly (seats, steering wheel, etc.), quick, precise turns are possible. It is also important to have an even tire pressure and the spring rate of the chassis, the steering and the damping should be adjusted (wenn möglich) that the car is not too hard.

violence is unsuccessful

But don't force anything! If you are tired or overwhelmed, you should take a break and rest. You have to be careful to control your driving style by getting a feel for the car's limits and how it reacts in different situations. You also need to be aware of the snow and correctly assess the risk. There are different types of snow that have different characteristics and allow/cause different drifts depending on your driving style and vehicle settings.

What should the vehicle be able to do?

at best it has a manual handbrake

ideally it has rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Traction control / ESP should be able to be completely deactivated
a manual shift or an automatic that does not shift up by itself in the limiter are positive characteristics of the vehicle and should be present

Winter wheels should be fitted (the better ones on the front axle)

What to look out for in the area?

the drift track should be closed off

there should be a continuous snow cover
there must be no surprises such as curbs or deep potholes under the snow
there should be enough "leap" if something goes wrong

there should be no people in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle

How do you drift in the snow?

accelerate at the apex of the curve (rear wheel drive & four-wheel drive, ESP etc. off)

the tail should now break out
don't apply the brake now
use steering and the accelerator instead

if the tail breaks out, then turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction
Always look in the direction of travel
Should the drift be stopped? Then slowly back off the steering and slowly ease off the gas (not abruptly)

with all-wheel drive, the procedure is similar, but more engine power is required and you travel faster
Classic drifting does not work with front-wheel drive, you need the manual handbrake to help instead, it is applied in the curve, which blocks the rear axle, you can dose the drift by the applied or released handbrake and the steering angle

Not in principle. But you have to adapt your driving style to the circumstances and the weather conditions. If you don't do this as stipulated in the road traffic regulations (StVO), a fine can follow.

If you cause unnecessary noise, €80 will be charged.
Unnecessary driving back and forth within town costs €100.
Reckless or grossly illegal driving maneuvers in combination with endangering other or important property can result in investigation proceedings for an offense of endangering road traffic (Section 315c of the Criminal Code). A prison sentence of up to 5 years or a fine is possible.

“Drifting” is on public roads .

According to § 123 StGB, a prison sentence can be imposed for Drift on one Parking of up to one year or a fine. Any contamination caused by skid marks or damage to property may give rise to claims for damages.

Apart from possible "snow lumps" in the wheel arches, there are no major dangers of increased wear "on snow" - with a few minutes of driving pleasure.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

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