Two winter swimmers walking to a hole cut in lake ice

Sweden · Open water and winter swimming

Skellefteå Winter Swim (World Cup Winter Swimming)

Kurjovikens Havsmarina, Skelleftehamn, Västerbotten

A winter swimming meet in northern Sweden where you race 25 to 200 metres in a pool cut into the sea ice, in water the local paper describes as zero degrees. It is an IWSA World Cup stop, so the field is international, but there is no qualifying standard and you can also swim 25 m without a time. The races are over in seconds; the challenge is the cold and the walk to the pool.

Official siteNo. 39 of 41 in the toughness ranking

The race in brief

Distance
0.025 km
Format
25, 50, 100 and 200 m individual races (breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly over 25 m) and 4 x 25 m mixed relays in a pool in the sea ice; no wetsuit, gloves or neoprene socks, a hat is compulsory
When
Third weekend of February (19 to 21 February 2027; 27 February to 1 March 2026)
Mid-pack time
About 17 s (median of 30 swimmers in the men's 25 m freestyle final, 2025)
Cut-off
No cut-off and no qualifying time; register by 5 February and the organiser puts you in a heat
Field
30 men in the 25 m freestyle final and 19 relay teams in the 4 x 25 m breaststroke final (2025); over 400 starts in 2025 according to local press
Other distances
25 m · 50 m · 100 m · 200 m · 4 x 25 m relay · 25 m without timing
Organiser
Föreningen För Mörkrets och Kylans Glada Vänner, with the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA)

Next edition: 2027-02-19 · 19 to 21 February 2027; registration deadline 5 February 2027; the opening ceremony is on the Friday evening and swimming follows on the weekend · Entries

Checked 2026-10-15

How tough is it?

Four meters, each 1 to 5, rated by our published method. The basis under each one shows the figures behind the score. How we rate.

DurationShort

A 25 m heat takes about 17 s: median of the 30 swimmers in the men's 25 m freestyle final in 2025 (Swimify results, 2025-02), with the winner at 14.17 s. You are in the water for seconds, though you should plan on a day at the site. As of 2025-02.

TerrainRough

The course is a 25 m lane in a pool sawn in the sea ice, with a wet start from the steps and no tumble turns or dives (rules, 2026). Walking from the changing area over snow, ice and slush was described as harder than the swim itself (Outdoor Swimmer, 2026). Borderline 2 to 4. As of 2026-02.

ColdArctic

Ice swimming: the pool is cut into sea ice and the water is described as icy zero-degree water; air was about minus 3 degrees in 2026 and about minus 20 in 2025 (Norran, 2026). No wetsuits, gloves or neoprene socks are allowed; you wear a swimsuit and a hat only. Sauna and hot tubs are at the site. As of 2026-02.

Cut-offsOpen

No cut-offs and no qualifying standard: you register through an account on vintersim.se by 5 February and the organiser sets heats by entries. Over 400 starts in 2025 per local press; no sell-out figure is published. As of 2026-10.

The course

The course is a 25 m lane in a pool cut into the sea ice at Kurjoviken marina in Skelleftehamn. Before 2024 the event was held in the Skellefte River in the town; the marina has been the venue since then. Swimming starts in the water, with one shoulder under and a hand on the entry step.

Races are 25 m (breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly), 50 m (breaststroke, freestyle), 100 m breaststroke, 200 m freestyle and 4 x 25 m mixed relays in four age bands. No diving and no tumble turns; head-up breaststroke is not required from 2025.

Spectators have free entry to the site, but only swimmers, officials and media have access to the ice. After the competition there is a chance to swim 25 m without timing, if you register and pay in advance. Medical staff, divers and lifesavers are on site, and a sauna and hot tub stand beside the course.

How to enter

Create an account on vintersim.se, choose your events and register; the 2027 deadline is Friday 5 February. The first individual start is at full price and later individual starts are discounted. Registration for 2027 had not opened when the pages were read.

This is an IWSA World Cup stop, so the results count for World Cup points. There is no qualification time. You collect a competitor's card at registration at the marina (2026 hours were Friday evening and the morning of each race day).

How to train for it

Practise the wet start and the stroke rules

The races start in the water with a shoulder under and a hand on the step, and tumble turns and dives disqualify. Rehearse that start in a pool so the rules do not cost you the heat.

Rehearse the walk and the changing

Reviewers describe the walk over snow and slush as harder than the swim. Practise getting from changing area to water in a robe and shoes, and back into dry clothes, quickly.

Do cold exposure only in stages, with a partner

If you have not swum in cold water, ease in over weeks with someone watching, and read the organiser's safety notes. The event is not an entry point for beginners.

Pick the event that fits

A 25 m race is a few seconds; the 100 m and 200 m are a different effort. Start with one 25 m race and add distances when you know how you cope.

What you need

  • A swimsuit that is not transparent and does not go past mid-thigh or the shoulder; no wetsuit of any kind.
  • A swim cap or a woollen or other warm hat, which is compulsory.
  • A robe and warm shoes for the walk between the changing area and the ice.
  • Warm clothes for after: the organiser lists a sauna and hot tub, and you may swim more than once.

Getting there and staying

Skelleftehamn lies on the coast of Västerbotten; the venue address is Brädgårdsvägen 2, 932 33 Skelleftehamn. Bus and accommodation details were still marked as coming soon on the organiser's 2027 page.

The Friday evening opening ceremony includes a poetry and a music competition in the ice hole. Competition days are Saturday and Sunday from about 10:00, and food and drink are available at the marina's restaurants.

History

Local press says the event moved in 2024 from the Skellefte River in the town to the marina in Skelleftehamn, and organisers expected record entries in 2026 (Norran, 2026).

Where to find out more

Questions about Skellefteå Winter Swim (World Cup Winter Swimming)

Can I wear a wetsuit?

No. Wetsuits, gloves and neoprene socks are not allowed, even for a dip; only a hat is permitted (rules on vintersim.se, 2026).

Can I swim without being timed?

Yes. After the competition you can swim 25 m untimed, but you must register and pay in advance at the same price (vintersim.se, 2027 page).

Do I need to be a competitive swimmer?

There is no qualification time, but the rules are formal: wet start, no diving, no tumble turns, and a false start can add a 5 s penalty (vintersim.se rules, 2026).

Is it free to watch?

Yes. Spectators have free entry to the site, but only swimmers, officials and media can go on the ice (vintersim.se, 2027 page).

Sources

Figures and rules on this page come from these pages, read on the dates given. Organisers change dates, fees and rules: check the official site before you enter.