My dogsledding experience earlier this year was paired with warming up in a sauna hosted by Back2Nature Wellness and Adventures at Blackstrap Provincial Park.
The Nordic hot/cold cycling method was recommended. We’d spend 10-20 minutes in the wood-burning sauna, followed by time outside, either chilling in the cold air or playing in the snow. Though I was tempted to see how the snow felt, as it was -30, I opted to just enjoy the air on my skin. However, one of the other guests in the sauna guests took a good full-body roll in the snow over the frozen lake.
Our host took care of us with lemon water, tending the fire and providing nature-themed felt hats to wear in and out of the sauna.
We had an hour to enjoy our sauna cycles. It was so relaxing and nurturing on the frigid day that time seemed to fly by. While I loved the heat of the sauna after our dogsledding experience, the cold cycle was exhilarating and much more enjoyable than I had anticipated. I came away from the experience wishing for my own sauna. After the experience, I can see how regular sauna use can contribute to overall health and well-being. This is definitely something I want to pursue more in the future.
Back2Nature Wellness and Adventures also has a sauna at Echo Valley Provincial Park. Through the winter, you can enjoy private saunas, ski or snowshoe brunch and sauna, meditation, polar plunge and sauna, and more. To find out more information on their offerings, check out their websites https://www.back2naturewellness.com/blackstrap-sauna-experiences