My Top 10 Best Winter Courses

The holidays are here, and with it comes Christmas, and the Blizzard Mountain expansion for Forza Horizon 3, which comes out TOMMOROW. To get hype for Forza’s first winter endeavor, I’m counting down my top 10 all-time favorite winter themed courses. What defines a winter course? It must have winter elements, including lots of snow and ice, but it also doesn’t just consist of off-road courses. Whether it has off-road elements or some snow to the side, it doesnt matter, if it looks like Snow Miser had arrived, then it counts. One thing that’s different about this list is that it won’t be limited to one per franchise, because some games, like Gran Turismo, Colin McCrae, and Mario Kart (yes, Mario Kart), have a lot of winter-themed courses that need mentioning. It time to take a tour of our favorite winter wonderlands in racing games.

10.) Norway - DriveClub

Besides the fantastic straights and beautiful locations within this area, this snap shot alone is worth the price of admission. Here’s a video to give an example of how good the tracks can get in Norway

I think when it comes to visual effects, and overall immersion, Drive-club is one of this generation’s best racing games, and this region in game, with the extreme weather update is a perfect example why.

9.) Chamonix - Gran Turismo 5/6

Chamonix is a great example of why Gran Turismo has always nailed the effects, much like DriveClub mentioned above. What made this track special also, was that, much like Drive Club, you can adjust the weather and time of day to make this wonderland look like hell froze over.

Wario Mountain - MK8

Talk about an odd-ball in this list… Mario Kart 8 is, actually, one of my all-time favorite racing games ever, believe it or not. It sticks out like a sore thumb, next to the simulations and the arcade-sims. Regardless, it’s still at home at number 8 because of it’s bright colors, memorable moments, and the fact that it’s one of the few race tracks in Mario Kart history to be a point-to-point race, which really helps.

Frappe Snowland - Mario Kart 64/DS/Wii

Much like Wario Mountain above, this is also quite the oddball in this list. But this really makes it onto the list, because of it’s nostalgia and it’s track design. Ton’s of hours were spent with family and friends on the various wide bends, the tight tunnel near the end, and slaloming the snowmen sprinkled along the course. Talk about nostalgic.

6.) Norway - V-Rally 3

Now this track (or location, to be exact) is very special to me, for being my first PS2 game, and my first true rally game, next to Gran Turismo 2. It feels great to crack out my copy of V-Rally 3, which I’ve had for over 12 years, and play this track. It evicts a feeling of true nostalgia for my first PS2 game and my favorite season.

5.) Chamonix - Gran Turismo 4

Much like Norway in V-Rally 3, this track really puts a spotlight on what makes winter so beautiful. The crisp whites, in contrast with the black tarmac, makes for a few beautiful shots in Photo Mode, on top of a scenic drive.

4.) Nurburgring (snow) - PGR4

This may be the only licensed track on the list, and it iisnt even originaly a snow course. Despite this, it’s still an amazing experience that’s needed to be seen. If you own an old Xbox 360 and want a great racing game, Project Gothem Racing 4 is the game for you, and here’s why:

Norway - DiRT 3

Code masters has been the kings of rally racing games for as long as I can remember, and this game is no exception. Dirt 3 alone is worthy of a top spot in the best racing games ever, but when it comes to locations, Norway is one of the best.

Mountain States - The Crew

Now, to be honest, I didnt like The Crew at launch, nor with the Wild Run expansion. The game’s handling model felt atrocious to me, and when a game manages to screw that up, you’re in for a bad time. That doesn’t result in a bad game world to explore, though. Matter of fact, it’s one of the best over worlds I’ve seen. The Mountain States region, mainly the actual snowy area of the region, is one of the only racing games I’ve seen that actually makes you get lost in the environment, but doesnt make you feel hopeless, if that makes sense. You get the urge to explore, and find new places to race, on top of the visuals in the Wild Run expansion, only building upon what was already established.

1.) Monte Carlo - DiRT Rally

Take the bar set by DiRT 3, and give it a next-gen overhaul and this is the result. Monte Carlo is home to some of the best courses in racing game history. Every inch is fully detailed with every mountain face and wall, to even some patches of snow, packed into the tarmac, is jolting, and exciting. This is simply, one of the best track locations ever, and my #1 favorite winter themed course.

So, there you have it. 10 of the best winter themed race tracks in history. Thanks for reading! If you liked what you see, then drop a like, and follow me for more!