ONELIFE #35 – American English

A DRIVE WITH…
The extreme nature and stunning beauty of the Swedish Arctic Circle takes your breath away
in more ways than one. This is where Jaguar Land Rover conducts its extreme cold
climate testing, but you too can venture here to enjoy unforgettable driving experiences
WORDS P A U L E N T W I S T L E
European models shown
Arjeplog, population 1,800 on the shores of Lake
Hornavan, was once home to the local silver mining
industry, a fact reflected in the names of streets and
perhaps most prominently in the Silverhatten hotel that
overlooks the small town with its distinctive church
dating back to 1642.
Boasting a single movie theater, but a plethora of
gas stations, Arjeplog is a place with a vista worthy of
any epic feature film. The demise of the mining industry
could have meant the end for a region rather short on
infrastructure, were it not for one very useful resource
in abundance – freezing cold weather.
During harsh winter months this picturesque, quiet
little town comes alive as vehicle calibration specialists
take advantage of the sub-zero temperatures. On the
frozen lake, huge shaped circuits are perfect for vehicle
testing, hidden from the prying eyes of journalists vying
to scoop the stars of next season’s auto shows.
It is here, too, that Jaguar Land Rover Ice Academy
experts will teach you how to put some of the world’s
finest and most capable vehicles through their paces.
For decades, the auto industry regularly made the
trek to Kiruna on the Arctic Circle; that was until some
engineers discovered a landing strip on the frozen Lake
Hornavan in 1973. They realized that Arjeplog ticked all
the testers’ boxes. Other manufacturers soon followed
as the town rapidly developed a rapport with the teams
of engineers who regularly spend up to six months
working in the region.
On any given winter’s day or night, you are arguably
more likely to encounter a camouflaged prototype
vehicle on the roads than a local inhabitant. Perhaps
this goes some way to explaining why the Laplanders
are highly protective of their ’winter guests.’
‘Normal’ tourists rarely venture this far north of
Stockholm, and certainly not in winter time. And therein
lies its appeal. The Jaguar Land Rover Ice Academy not
only underlines the dynamic capabilities of Land Rover
vehicles in one of the harshest environments on Earth,
but also offers a unique insight into the breathtaking
beauty of this Arctic wilderness.
So, join our team on the ice and enjoy thrilling
driving experiences together with warm hospitality
in one of the most challenging, yet perhaps most
beautiful, locations on the planet.
HIT THE ICE for the drive of a lifetime. To find out more, visit
landroverusa.com
79