A Porsche for Winter: The Carrera 4 GTS

March has arrived, bringing warmer temperatures and a welcome run of sunny, mild days.

Our 991.1 Carrera 4 GTS has been with us for about a year and a half. It’s running beautifully: the engine revs eagerly, and the exhaust note seems to grow louder with every drive.

We chose the Carrera 4 GTS because we wanted to own an all-wheel-drive Carrera. And since we wanted to keep driving without hesitation during the off-season, we even fitted Porsche-approved winter tires. In that sense, it’s our Porsche for winter.

That said, we were busy from the end of last year into the new year and didn’t manage any long tours. Here’s a quick look back at a few winter drives, including some time on snowy roads.

A Winter Road Trip from Wakayama to Mie

Tamaki Shrine

At the end of the year, we found a little time to head to Wakayama.

Our first destination was Tamaki Shrine, a famous spiritual power spot. Deep in the Kii Mountains, it’s said to be a shrine “only those who are called can reach,” and is also known as the inner sanctuary of the Kumano Sanzan shrines.

I’ve visited a few times before, but the atmosphere here is so distinctive that I don’t come lightly. This time, I had something on my mind and hoped a visit might give me a little strength.

After leaving Osaka, we drove through Gojō in Nara Prefecture and joined Route 168. There was no snow, but temperatures in late December were low, hovering around 3°C. One of the advantages of European winter tires is how reassuring they feel, even on dry roads.

Partway along Route 168, we turned left, crossed the Totsukawa River, and climbed a mountain road about one and a half lanes wide. It wasn’t what you’d call extremely narrow, but we had to watch for oncoming traffic in places as the road climbed steeply. As we gained elevation, snow began to appear on the road.

We’d checked the road conditions in advance and knew there was snow and a winter-tire requirement, so there was no need to panic as we continued uphill.

As we got closer to Tamaki Shrine, the snow cover increased rapidly. It had been a while since I’d driven in snow, but the Carrera 4 GTS made remarkably easy work of it. Even in situations where I’d expect a rear-wheel-drive car to struggle for traction, the 4 GTS felt impressively composed.

After enjoying the snowy road for a while, we reached the shrine’s parking lot. From there, it’s a 10- to 15-minute walk along a mountain path to the main hall. The atmosphere seemed to change as we got closer. On previous visits, the air had felt taut and almost prickly. This time, by contrast, it was remarkably gentle. Despite the cold, there was a warmth to the place that left me feeling completely at ease.

After paying our respects, we headed back down the mountain and rejoined Route 168, continuing south.

With little traffic, Route 168 made for a relaxed drive, and we eventually arrived in Shingū, where we spent the night.

From Onigajō Toward Mie

The next morning, we enjoyed a brisk run along Prefectural Route 141, also known as the Orange Road. Even at year-end, the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula is pleasantly warm. We drove through the springlike sunshine in Sport mode.

We stopped at Onigajō, a spot a friend had recommended. We arrived knowing almost nothing about it, but were blown away by the dramatic natural scenery. If you’re ever in the area, it’s well worth a visit.

Leaving Onigajō behind, we headed north on Route 169. It’s become much easier to drive than it used to be. This is a proper touring road, and if you’re driving north to south through the Kii Peninsula, Route 169 and Route 168 make excellent starting points for planning your route.

Near Yoshino, we turned right onto the celebrated Route 166 and pointed the 911 toward the next stretch of road. It had been a while since I’d driven this route, but it remains one of my favorite national roads. Coming just after a year-end cold snap, traffic was light, and patches of snow still lingered near the mountain pass.

In Sport mode, I powered uphill, working the paddles and making plenty of completely unnecessary downshifts just to enjoy the sound. We continued to Matsusaka and spent the night there.

The next day, I’d thought about heading toward Shiga, but an unexpected commitment came up, bringing our year-end tour to an early close.

A Snowy Mountain Drive

We ended the year feeling frustrated that we hadn’t completed the tour. Just as I was thinking about heading out for another drive, the news warned that a major cold snap was on the way.

In Kansai, snow began falling in the evening, even on the plains. I checked the live camera on Royu Driveway and saw a blanket of snow. This could be good! (laughs) The next morning, I got up early and took the 911 out before the snow could be cleared.

By the following day, the snow had stopped, leaving ideal conditions. It’s rare to see Royu Driveway completely white, with the center line and everything else hidden beneath the snow.

This time, I took it slow and paid close attention to how the Carrera 4 GTS behaved.

Once snow clearing gets underway, you often end up with a patchwork of snow-covered and bare pavement, along with more ice. The uneven grip from side to side can actually make the road trickier to drive. Before the plows had been through, though, the road was surprisingly easy to handle.

Pressing deeply on the accelerator in second gear, the car powered uphill with fierce all-wheel-drive traction, throwing up a plume of snow. The braking performance was excellent, too. Approaching a corner, I downshifted and carefully shifted the car’s weight. At the exit, I pointed the car where I wanted it to go, got back on the throttle, and accelerated away in a straight line.

In general, the 911 handles snow without any real issues on flat ground or uphill. I tried different approaches through all kinds of corners, but in normal driving, the car felt stable and never gave me cause for concern.

Downhill corners, on the other hand, call for extra caution. Even in the Carrera 4 GTS, the rear-engine layout can make itself felt. For example, on a steep downhill bend, if you brake a little too late and carry the brakes into the turn, the 911 can start to swing its tail out surprisingly easily.

PSM will step in to help, so unless you’re carrying far too much speed, it’s unlikely you’ll simply lose control. Still, the rear can step out more than expected for a moment, bringing on a flash of oversteer and a real “whoa” moment. In situations like this, it’s best to brake firmly while the car is still straight, reduce your speed, and then enter the corner carefully.

After that, I continued along the snow-packed mountain road, taking my time and savoring every turn. Snow driving can be dangerous, but it’s also an excellent way to learn how a car performs and behaves. It’s important to know your 911 inside and out so you can respond safely in any situation, especially when the unexpected happens.

People say you can’t really understand a 911 until you’ve owned one for at least five years. I’m looking forward to exploring more roads and conditions in ours—and getting to know it even better along the way.