Have you ever heard of a snow sauna? Taking a sauna is excellent at any time of the year. Especially if you are in a traditional Finnish sauna built from cedar and heated by a wood-burning sauna stove. It seems that all the stresses and strains of the day are drawn from the body by the radiant heat of the sun that was stored in the wood that is burning. Once the stove rocks are hot, the dry heat penetrates deep into your body and drains all toxins out. Then it is time to increase the heat by pouring water on the rocks of the stove with a loud hiss. As humidity increases, sweat increases removing all dirt and toxins.

A good traditional sauna is usually located near a lake or river. When the heat from the sauna is almost unbearable and the toxins are on the surface of your skin, you open the sauna door and head into the cold lake water. A quick soak in the water flushes all poisons from your skin. Now it is clean, renovated and many times without power. Only a snow sauna will make it cleaner and fresher.

 

If it’s winter and you live in the snow belt along the southern shore of Lake Superior, you have a great opportunity to enjoy the tradition of the snow sauna. Winter lasts long in these large snowy areas where some years there are still snow banks in the cedar swamps on July 4. Cabin fever is a common problem due to the cold and dark of winter and early spring as the months progress. The snow sauna is a great way to purge your body and mind of this annual affliction.

In some places, like the Keweenaw Peninsula, the snow starts to fall early. November’s snow accumulations will exceed the total annual snow depth for many northern cities. However, the season for snow saunas does not usually begin until around Christmas time. The timing of the snow sauna season is related to the depth of the snow. In general, the snow sauna season begins when the depth of the local snow is greater than 24 inches.

 

A snow sauna begins with a normal sauna. However, that’s where the similarity ends. Once you’ve gotten a good sweat, instead of heading to the lake for a dunk, just jump into the cold, clean snow. It is important that the snow has a good base, especially at the beginning of the snow sauna season. Powdered snow will not support much weight and your snowfall can end with a hard landing. It is also important that the area you are snow jumping in is not covered with rocks, brush, sticks, and other hazards. An additional hazard may come from a hard snow cover after the January thaw or during the spring freeze-thaw period.

 

As we said, a good snow sauna ends with a good jump or fall in the snow. After falling and covering yourself in snow, be careful to observe the area you landed on. You will be surprised to see dark deposits in the snow. These are the result of the dirt and toxins that were in and on your body before the sauna. A true snow sauna enthusiast will do several twists and turns before stepping back into the sauna to sweat again. A good snow sauna will make your body feel more alive and clean than ever. All cabin fever symptoms will disappear, especially if you take a snow sauna with family and friends.

 

Nothing better than a snow sauna to improve your health and well-being. You haven’t really lived until you ran out the sauna door and jumped into 3-4 feet of snow.