Learning the skills to drive in wintry conditions can make you a better driver in all seasons. | PHOTO: DAVID/ADOBE STOCK
AUTOMOTIVE
The Surprising Advantages of Winter Driving
Intimidated to take on icy roads? New drivers in Alberta can benefit from cold-weather driver education.
By Kait Kucy
Living in Alberta means adapting to winter driving — snow, ice and all. Thousands of people relocate to the province each year, including 22,000 net-new residents from other Canadian provinces and territories in 2025 — and every year, new drivers from Alberta, including teens and young adults, get behind the wheel for the first time. For many, winter driving can be an intimidating experience. But with the right preparation, learning to drive in an Alberta winter can build confidence and develop skills that make our roads safer for everyone year-round.
AMA Driver Education senior instructor John Sibbons is a big believer in winter driving education. “Many instructors consider winter conditions one of the best classrooms for creating safe, capable drivers,” Sibbons notes. “While summer driving offers a gentler introduction, winter driving teaches a broader range of safety skills.”
“Learning to drive in winter can actually make you a stronger and safer driver than learning exclusively in summer.”
Through guided instruction, students enrolled in AMA Driver Education learn the basics of winter driving, including how increased stopping distances affect braking, how to recognize dangerous hazards such as black ice and rapidly changing road conditions, and how to adjust steering and speed when traction is reduced. Students also gain experience driving in reduced visibility caused by snow and winter storms. “Learning how a vehicle behaves when grip is limited helps new drivers understand traction, braking distances and steering control much earlier in their driving experience,” Sibbons says. “These habits often carry over throughout a driver’s entire driving career, helping create safer, more confident drivers.” Another benefit of professional instruction: lessons happen in a controlled, supportive environment. During in-vehicle training, instructors provide real-time coaching and immediate feedback while helping students safely experience real-world winter conditions. And students get the opportunity to build confidence through repetition.
Whether you’re getting behind the wheel for the first time or simply experiencing your first Alberta winter, AMA has a Driver Education course to help you build confidence. “Learning winter driving from a qualified driving instructor offers significant advantages, especially in regions where snow, ice and reduced visibility create challenging road conditions,” Sibbons says. “Learning to drive in winter can actually make you a stronger and safer driver than learning exclusively in summer.” AMA
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