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40 years of innovation above the Arctic Circle
During the tire development process, tires are carefully tested to meet the demands of drivers in different regions. Varying road surfaces, rapidly changing weather and extreme conditions all shape how tires must perform. Testing ensures that tires are reliable in every driving condition imaginable.
Located 235 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle you can find White Hell. That is what Nokian Tyres test center in Ivalo, Finland is named. The facility is the world’s largest and most versatile winter tire proving ground, and with more than 40 kilometers of specialized tracks, a 700‑meter indoor ice hall, frozen lakes and rural‑style roads the facility offers the ideal setting for evaluating performance in demanding winter conditions. Furthermore, the year 2026 marks 40 years of operations at this unique testing environment opened in 1986.
In four decades, White Hell has grown from modest frozen‑lake test tracks into a highly advanced development environment. From November to April, up to 5,000 tires are tested at the Ivalo site each year. The nearly 180‑day season of consistent cold enables extensive evaluation of winter, all‑season, all‑weather and all‑terrain tires for all markets. White Hell remains a cornerstone of the Nokian Tyres tire testing, a place where expertise, natural conditions, and technical innovation converge to shape the global standards of winter tire performance. Nokian Tyres’ deep roots in northern climates are also central to its expertise.
In addition to the 700‑hectare site in Ivalo, Nokian Tyres global testing network spans a test tracks near its headquarters in Nokia, Finland and a 300‑hectare proving ground Hakka Ring in Spain. As winter conditions continue to evolve due to shifting weather patterns, Nokian Tyres remains focused on predictable, safe performance across all environments.
Producing trustworthy tires requires repetition, precision, and exceptional professional skill.
These locations play a vital role in maintaining Nokian Tyres’ position as the expert of winter driving. Producing trustworthy tires requires repetition, precision, and exceptional professional skill. The seasoned Nokian Tyres test drivers cover hundreds of thousands of kilometers each year, evaluating the feel, responsiveness and safety of each tire. Durability is assessed through convoy testing, where identical cars drive long distances over fixed routes to compare wear between test tires and reference tires. Additional field tests with taxi fleets across Nordic countries reveal how tires behave under the diverse demands of everyday driving. Delivery vans equipped with C tires provide ongoing feedback about durability and functionality in commercial use. Collaboration with leading car manufacturers ensures new tire technologies are developed and adapted in the most effective ways.The work of the Nokian Tyres test drivers and field tests are complemented by sophisticated instruments and extensive facilities, ensuring every tire model meets the highest standards even in the harshest conditions.
Indoor facilities further refine the testing process. Rubber compounds, tread patterns, and structural designs are analyzed to ensure environmental friendliness and global compliance with industry standards. High‑speed and structural durability tests verify that each tire meets strict requirements, while additional assessments support the certification processes needed for international markets.
