Simhallsbadet Kiruna

I wrote the May, 2015, review and would still give this pool very high marks for overall facilities and cleanliness. The only negative for me is the 30ºC temperature, which is a bit too warm, but I still have a good work out - I just take a cold shower half-way through! There is one shower that is adjustable - I've always found the showers OK.

I visited this pool three times during the Christmas break in 2017. This is an excellent pool to swim laps in. There are two 25m pools, one a dedicated training pool. The training pool has five lanes (only four are usable due to a stairway at end of one lane), with lane lines and backstroke flags always up. It was never crowded and at most I had to share two undivided lanes with three people. The training pool is in a well lit area with some nice art work on the ceiling. It was very clean, with no sign of turbidity. The pool is warm compared to the usual 28ºC (82ºF). It was over 30ºC (86ºF), which feels nice when you get in, but is a problem if your workout gets intense. Because of the temperature and the altitude of Kiruna, I never felt like I could get the same workout intensity as I usually do, but still it was a decent workout and nice pool.

The locker room is fantastic, with full size lockers (bring a lock) and lots of room to change in without bumping into neighbors. There are two saunas, one a little hotter than the other. Both were very nice and clean. The showers were not great; there was no way to adjust the temperature and, besides that, the temperature fluctuated from lukewarm to hot.

Pool 1 has five lanes with a diving area at one end and a waterslide at the other. This pool seems to be the general swim/playpool; the lanes aren't divided but whenever I have been there I have been able to do laps in it. Pool 2 also has five lanes and is for lap swimming; it has always had divided lanes when I have been there. Overall, this is a very high quality facility; it has good changing rooms with an excellent sauna, friendly staff who speak English, and some nice artwork. I have only been there during the day and almost always get a lane to myself.