The acclaimed Swedish electric performance car brand has unveiled a new, never-before-seen experience in the striking snow-blanketed landscapes of Åre: Drive Below Zero, combining a Polestar test drive with winter golf. Below, we give a swing at what it’s like
“At Polestar, we’re a bit different,” said Martin Ödman, Polestar Sweden’s PR & communications manager, as the renowned electric performance car brand welcomed a group of journalists and content creators to the snow-clad landscapes of Åre, western Sweden. The ‘different’ in this case referred to the activity we had arrived to partake in, one that had never before been organised in the area (or perhaps anywhere in the Nordics, for that matter): winter golf, coupled with a test drive of one of the company’s recent car launches, the Polestar 3.
Ask about winter golf, i.e. playing golf on the snow, from the most devoted golf enthusiast, and you’re likely to prompt a puzzled ‘I’m sorry, what?’ or ‘Say that again?’. Indeed, the sport is often associated with sprawling, lush stretches of lawn and warmer climes – the kind that call for polo shirts and pleated skirts rather than puffer jackets, thermal layers, and insulated trousers. Yet, staying true to forging its own path and honing in on one of the brand’s key principles, innovation, Polestar set out to craft a unique experience, dubbed ‘Drive Below Zero’, where Åre’s breathtaking, mountainous surroundings meet a singular, fun way to test both the pioneering winter prowess of Polestar cars, and the current state of your swing.
The Polestar winter golf course from above. Photo: Polestar
“Åre is an obvious place for us – here we show what our cars are developed for and capable of while meeting people who, just like us, share a passion for innovation and experiencing the unexpected,” says Cecilia Luc Mastio, marketing manager at Polestar Sweden. “With Drive Below Zero, we have turned the concept on its head and offer both a test drive and a golf experience that only Polestar can deliver.”
Over the winter holiday period running through the end of February – also the busiest time in Åre, a mecca for skiers and snowboarders from Sweden and beyond – the Drive Below Zero can be booked via Polestar’s website or on-site at Parkvägen 1. Guests can choose between the brand’s latest, fully electric SUVs, the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, with a breezy pick-up from central Åre. A Polestar specialist will accompany you during both the test drive and golf course experience, ensuring a smooth experience.
Åre is Sweden's most famous ski destination, punctuated by breathtaking vistas. Photo: Polestar
The streamlined electric SUV Polestar 3. Guests who book Drive Below Zero can choose to test drive either the Polestar 3 or Polestar 4. Photo: Linnéa Pesonen
Now, I’ll preface this by saying that I’m no Viktor Hovland. My experience with golf is limited to, well, mini golf. Still, I was very excited to see what winter golf was all about, and even more so that my first swing at the sport would take place in such a unique setting. The Drive Below Zero truly lived up to its name: on the crispy, sun-soaked morning when we headed out to the course, the temperatures dipped to an icy, almost -30 degrees.
The verdict? While I probably don’t harbour the makings of a pro golfer, the winter golf was incredibly fun and much more hassle-free than you might expect. The three-hole course was created (a laborious process that took weeks, the Polestar team noted) from thick, flattened hard snow, preventing the ball from repeatedly sinking into the white abyss. And I’d argue that the vistas surrounding the course – deep green forests and rolling, snow-covered hills – are just as beautiful as those you’d normally play in. As some of us retreated to the cars to warm up after the debut round, more seasoned players eagerly headed out for a second spin.
Photo: Linnéa Pesonen
Then it was my turn to jump behind the (heated!) wheel of the Polestar 3. The sleek, streamlined car stands as a beacon of Scandinavian design, its minimalist and refined exterior flowing into the pared-back, living room-esque interiors, upholstered in perforated Nappa leather. Cruising – or more like gliding, given how silent the car is – along the winding streets, it felt agile and easy to drive, while remaining reassuringly stable on the frozen road (no surprise there, really; all of Polestar’s cars are developed in Sweden and tested in real winter conditions).
The striking, mountainous scenery surrounding the golf course. Photo: Polestar
Sharing expertise with Volvo Cars, a brand synonymous with next-gen safety, the Polestar 3 is equipped with cutting-edge structural innovations and advanced driver assistance systems to ensure utmost safety for driver and passengers. These include SmartZone™ sensors and cameras that can detect potential hazards even before the human eye, as well as interior infrared cameras that monitor signs of driver drowsiness. Much like golf is a precision sport, the Polestar 3 has been crafted with a sharp eye for detail, delivering a controlled and secure driving experience.
Elsewhere, the sweeping panoramic roof opened up uninterrupted views of the majestic scenery. It’s hard to imagine more striking surroundings for a test drive. And it’s no wonder that the first slots of the Drive Below Zero were snapped up almost instantly.