Have you ever heard of a snow sauna? Taking a sauna is great at any time of the year. Especially if it is a traditional Finnish sauna built from cedar and heated by a wood-burning sauna stove. It seems that all the stress and strains of the day are drawn from the body by the radiant heat from the sun that was stored in the burning wood. Once the stove rocks are hot, the dry heat penetrates deep into your body and drains out all toxins. Then it’s time to turn up the heat by pouring water over the stove rocks with a loud hiss. As humidity rises, sweat increases, removing all dirt and toxins.
A good traditional sauna is usually located near a lake or river. When the heat of the sauna is almost unbearable and the toxins are on the surface of the skin, you open the door of the sauna and head into the cold water of the lake. A quick dip in the water rinses all the poisons from your skin. Now you are clean, refreshed and many times without energy. Only a snow sauna will make it cleaner and refreshed.
If it’s winter and you live in the Snow Belt along the south shore of Lake Superior, you have a great opportunity to enjoy the tradition of the snow sauna. Winter lasts a long time in these large areas of snow where in some years there are still snow banks in the cedar swamps on the 4th of July. Claustrophobia is a common problem due to the cold and darkness of winter and early spring as the months progress. The snow sauna is a great way to purge the body and mind of this annual affliction.
In some places, like the Keweenaw Peninsula, snow starts to fall early. November snow accumulations will exceed the total annual snow depth for many northern cities. However, snow sauna season usually doesn’t start until around Christmas time. The timing of the snow sauna season is related to the depth of the snow. In general, snow bath season begins when the local snow depth is greater than 24 inches.
A snow sauna starts with a normal sauna. However, that is where the similarity ends. Once you work up a sweat, instead of heading to the lake to dive, 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. Powder snow will not support much weight and your snow cover can end with a crash landing. It is also important that the area in which you are snow-skipping is not covered with rocks, brush, sticks, and other hazards. An additional hazard can come from a hard snowpack after the January thaw or during the spring thaw period.
As we said, a good snow sauna ends with a good jump or flop in the snow. After falling and covered in snow, be careful to watch the area where you landed. 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 re-entering 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 go away, especially if you take a snow sauna with family and friends.
There is nothing better than a snow sauna to improve your health and well-being. You haven’t really lived until you’ve run out the sauna door and jumped into 3 or 4 feet of snow.
