Volvo has taken to an indoor ski slope to demonstrate the benefits of using cold weather tyres. The video shows the demonstration in more depth.

Typically designed for all conditions below 7 degrees Celsius, cold weather tyres are made of a different tyre compound to improve traction in low temperatures, regardless of the weather. Perhaps more importantly they’re designed to offer better traction in wet, icy or snowy conditions, thanks to sipes.

These little ‘cuts’ of extra tread improve traction on snow and ice.

To demonstrate the benefits of winter tyres Volvo fitted one front-wheel drive V40 with them and left another on summer tyres, then drove them in turn up a snow covered ski-slope.

The car on summer tyres barely made it past the five metre mark while the car on winter tyres made it right to the top. Volvo also showed how beneficial snow socks, can be as a temporary solution.  Volvo sells both winter tyres and snows socks at its dealerships.