Mrs Baker, an Irishwoman whose family moved to Wanaka nearly three years ago after losing their home in the Christchurch earthquake, said she wanted to learn how to drive as safely as possible in ice and snow and how to deal with the problems which could occur.
''I want to know what it's like to get into a skid and power out of it. I want to practise the technique. I don't want the first time I do it to be in a real situation ... that is hair-raising.
''I go up the mountain now, but I'm perpetually uncomfortable about it.''
Mrs Baker said she put out a call via social media for other people interested in ''upskilling'' and quickly received a ''tsunami'' of more than 60 responses.
''A lot of them are locals ... they're seasoned, but they don't feel very skilled.
''It's the nature of our region. We travel in bad weather. We go to sports fixtures which are scattered throughout the region. If I'm unwilling to go over the hills because of snow, I'll be stuck in Wanaka for two months a year.''
Mrs Baker said she began searching for local winter driving courses a couple of years ago, without success.
Even the Queenstown Lakes District Council was forced to use an Auckland-based provider to train its staff who needed to be able to drive in such conditions, she said.
She was prompted to try again when her teenage daughter began driving and had spoken to Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground managing director Tom Elworthy. He said he was interested in the idea, but it was unlikely to happen this winter.
A company called Pro Driver Training in Timaru was also keen, she said, and she had a meeting planned with staff at the Highlands Motorsport Park.
Mrs Baker said she would like to hear from anyone interested in helping to organise the training, including people who had land on which the course could be held.
