The Land

A growing number of international automobile manufacturers have established their winter testing operations in Kiruna, and many have returned to us regularly for 20 years. Kiruna offers the combination of close proximity to a full-service city and rural areas with considerable stretches of roads providing an array of characteristics.

Kiruna is surrounded by hundreds of lakes, offering secluded private skidpans and backdrops for breathtaking public displays. This past winter, on the lake Saustusjärvi alone, in close proximity to world famous ICEHOTEL, there were about seven kilometers of skidpans that were handled by BDX.

The season for skidpans in Kiruna starts earlier than anywhere else. A completely new skidpan in the form of a shallow artificial lake, 800 x 800 meters, is open for business already by the middle of November.

VAG, Renault and Mercedes have recognized the advantages of having Kiruna as their winter testing ground. Volvo has been steadily expanding their operations since the middle of the 1990’s. In January of 2004, a newly built hanger was inaugurated, which lead to a doubling of the Ford Corporation’s operations, having moved their testing of Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover from Canada to Kiruna.

Volvo and SAAB have over the past years also taken advantage of the unique possibilities offered in Kiruna for hosting events. Together with the launching of new models, they have offered automobile customers worldwide to, together with professional rally-drivers, experience the skidpans in an authentic winter environment.

The accelerating development of testing operations in Kiruna is based on the growing number of satisfied returning clientele, impressed by the experience and cooperation offered by the dedicated companies involved.

The inauguration of Kiruna Proving Grounds gives clients easy access to information, contacts and assistance in putting together tailor-made packages for comfortable, exciting and effective testing operations during the season of perfect conditions.

Kiruna offers the ideal environment in every aspect, with skidpans that our companies design, prepare and plow, all according to the clients’ requirements.