 Over the past few years, we have spent a great deal of time thinking about what it actually means to build a sauna business responsibly. From the onset, we have considered Kamu Sauna a social enterprise, and we continue to develop frameworks and measurements that help us evaluate not only the experiences we create, but how we can continually do better across social, cultural, ecological, and community impact. Recently, Kamu Sauna completed carbon offsetting for our first three years of operations in partnership with Great Bear Carbon, the first Indigenous-owned carbon offset project in Canada, fully owned and governed by Coastal First Nations. This included calculating emissions connected to our operations, including (but not limited to):
We want to be transparent about something important: we do not see carbon offsetting as a perfect solution or a replacement for systemic change. There are valid critiques of offsets, and we believe those conversations matter. At the same time, we also believe accountability matters. Why We Chose to Take This StepWe also recognize that sustainability work is rarely straightforward for small businesses. It can feel complex, imperfect, resource-intensive, and difficult to navigate transparently while still managing the realities of day-to-day operations. But for sauna businesses like ours, we believe these conversations matter even more. Sauna culture is deeply connected to forests, water, heat, materials, energy, travel, and our relationship to place itself. If we are building spaces intended to support wellbeing, regulation, and connection to nature, then we also believe we have a responsibility to think critically about the impacts tied to those experiences. We feel that perfection is not where change begins and that responsibility begins with measurement, honesty, and a willingness to continually improve over time. For us, this decision felt aligned with the deeper values that have shaped Kamu Sauna from the beginning. Sauna teaches interdependence. It reminds us that wellbeing is not isolated from forests, waters, air quality, ecosystems, or the health of communities. In Finnish sauna culture, humans are not positioned outside of nature; we are participants within it. As our work has expanded through travel, consulting, research, community sauna initiatives, and international collaborations, we felt it was important to also acknowledge the environmental impacts associated with that growth. Climate Change Close to HomeLiving and working in British Columbia, with our construction shop in Edmonton, AB, the impacts of climate change no longer feel distant. Communities across both provinces are experiencing increasingly severe wildfire seasons, smoke exposure, flooding, and ecosystem stress that directly affect livelihoods, tourism, and community wellbeing. For those of us working in nature-based industries and gathering spaces, these realities are impossible to ignore. There is something particularly sobering about operating sauna experiences during periods when forests and communities around us are under climate pressure. Juho worked as a wildland firefighter for over a decade, and through that experience we have seen firsthand how interconnected ecological health, community resilience, and human wellbeing truly are. While carbon offsetting alone will not solve these challenges, we believe businesses have a responsibility to participate in climate action where they can, while continuing to learn and reduce impacts over time.  Kamu Sauna's mobile saunas in the East Kootenays BC were built using 100% solar energy. We now offset ALL carbon emissions across all of our operations including in-shop sauna builds, global shipping, and travel.
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Our Core Principles for Community Sauna
Community sauna works because everyone participates in shaping the atmosphere. Over time, these simple practices have emerged as the way we care for the sauna and for one another.
1. Everyone Belongs on the Bench
The sauna bench is a place of equity. People may share their work, their stories, and their lives, but status stays outside. On the bench, everyone shares the same space.
Gossip and divisive talk are best left at the door. At times meaningful or difficult conversations can arise, but they are held with care and respect for everyone in the room.
2. Steward the Peace
The atmosphere of the sauna belongs to everyone in the room. Sauna is social, but that doesn’t mean loud - keep voices low and be mindful that conversations remain welcoming and inclusive of the group.
Small acts of care - making space, speaking gently, and respecting quiet - help protect the peace of the sauna.
3. Offer Before You Receive
Community sauna thrives on reciprocity. Offer care to the space and the people around you before expecting anything in return - whether that means making room on the bench, welcoming someone new, or helping tend the atmosphere of the room.
4. Arrive with Integrity
Community sauna begins before you even step inside. Arriving on time — or clearly communicating if plans change — shows respect for the group and the shared experience.
5. Enter with Presence
When you step into the sauna, slow down. Leave distractions outside and allow yourself to settle into the rhythm of the space.
6. Respect the Löyly
Löyly is the living atmosphere of the sauna. When adding water to the rocks, do so thoughtfully and with awareness of those around you.
In community sauna, we pour with consent. It is good practice to ask before adding more heat. If someone isn’t ready for another round of löyly, they can step outside or move to the lower bench.
7. Share the Bench
Make space when the room fills. Community sauna means everyone helps create a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Please don’t save spots or leave towels behind to hold a seat - the bench is shared.
8. Listen to Your Body
Move through the rhythm of sauna - hot, cold, rest - in a way that feels right for you. Everyone’s experience is different.
9. Care for the Space
The sauna, the water, and the surrounding landscape are part of the experience. Treat them with respect. Sauna is a relational practice - with place, with the elements, and with each other.
10. Welcome and Share Knowledge
Many people are experiencing sauna culture for the first time. Help them feel at ease and share what you’ve learned along the way. Community sauna grows through shared knowledge - people exchange tips, traditions, and experiences that help everyone deepen their practice. We’re all here to learn from one another - and to listen.
1. Everyone Belongs on the Bench
The sauna bench is a place of equity. People may share their work, their stories, and their lives, but status stays outside. On the bench, everyone shares the same space.
Gossip and divisive talk are best left at the door. At times meaningful or difficult conversations can arise, but they are held with care and respect for everyone in the room.
2. Steward the Peace
The atmosphere of the sauna belongs to everyone in the room. Sauna is social, but that doesn’t mean loud - keep voices low and be mindful that conversations remain welcoming and inclusive of the group.
Small acts of care - making space, speaking gently, and respecting quiet - help protect the peace of the sauna.
3. Offer Before You Receive
Community sauna thrives on reciprocity. Offer care to the space and the people around you before expecting anything in return - whether that means making room on the bench, welcoming someone new, or helping tend the atmosphere of the room.
4. Arrive with Integrity
Community sauna begins before you even step inside. Arriving on time — or clearly communicating if plans change — shows respect for the group and the shared experience.
5. Enter with Presence
When you step into the sauna, slow down. Leave distractions outside and allow yourself to settle into the rhythm of the space.
6. Respect the Löyly
Löyly is the living atmosphere of the sauna. When adding water to the rocks, do so thoughtfully and with awareness of those around you.
In community sauna, we pour with consent. It is good practice to ask before adding more heat. If someone isn’t ready for another round of löyly, they can step outside or move to the lower bench.
7. Share the Bench
Make space when the room fills. Community sauna means everyone helps create a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Please don’t save spots or leave towels behind to hold a seat - the bench is shared.
8. Listen to Your Body
Move through the rhythm of sauna - hot, cold, rest - in a way that feels right for you. Everyone’s experience is different.
9. Care for the Space
The sauna, the water, and the surrounding landscape are part of the experience. Treat them with respect. Sauna is a relational practice - with place, with the elements, and with each other.
10. Welcome and Share Knowledge
Many people are experiencing sauna culture for the first time. Help them feel at ease and share what you’ve learned along the way. Community sauna grows through shared knowledge - people exchange tips, traditions, and experiences that help everyone deepen their practice. We’re all here to learn from one another - and to listen.
Join Us on the Bench
Community sauna is something we practice together - through shared heat, cold water, and the simple rhythm of hot, cold, rest.
At Kamu Sauna, we host wood-fired community sauna sessions and mobile sauna experiences throughout the East Kootenays of British Columbia, creating welcoming spaces for people to gather and experience traditional sauna culture.
Whether you are stepping into sauna for the first time or have been practicing for years, community sauna offers a simple invitation: share the heat, respect the rhythm, and help shape the atmosphere of the room.
If you are curious to experience community sauna in the East Kootenays, explore upcoming sessions or mobile sauna bookings with Kamu Sauna.
Bring curiosity, a towel, and a willingness to share the heat. Everyone is welcome on the bench!
Learn about our Community Sauna offerings here.
At Kamu Sauna, we host wood-fired community sauna sessions and mobile sauna experiences throughout the East Kootenays of British Columbia, creating welcoming spaces for people to gather and experience traditional sauna culture.
Whether you are stepping into sauna for the first time or have been practicing for years, community sauna offers a simple invitation: share the heat, respect the rhythm, and help shape the atmosphere of the room.
If you are curious to experience community sauna in the East Kootenays, explore upcoming sessions or mobile sauna bookings with Kamu Sauna.
Bring curiosity, a towel, and a willingness to share the heat. Everyone is welcome on the bench!
Learn about our Community Sauna offerings here.
During National Sauna Week, Kamu Sauna co-founder Becky Pelkonen joined Finnish folklorist Dalva Lamminmäki for a featured online presentation hosted by the Finlandia Foundation National.
The session, Women of the Sauna: Keepers, Healers, and Future Builders, explored Finnish sauna culture, women’s leadership in sauna traditions, and the role of sauna as community care and social infrastructure. The full recording is now available to watch.
The session, Women of the Sauna: Keepers, Healers, and Future Builders, explored Finnish sauna culture, women’s leadership in sauna traditions, and the role of sauna as community care and social infrastructure. The full recording is now available to watch.
What is National Sauna Week?
National Sauna Week is an annual celebration of Finnish sauna culture in North America. Organized through Finlandia Foundation, the week highlights sauna heritage, public sauna events, educational programming, and conversations about how traditional sauna practices continue to evolve globally.
Dalva + Becky's talk this year focused on the historic and contemporary role of women in sauna culture - from Finland to Canada and beyond.
Dalva + Becky's talk this year focused on the historic and contemporary role of women in sauna culture - from Finland to Canada and beyond.
Five Key Takeaways from "Women of the Sauna"
1. Sauna as Community Care
Historically, sauna functioned as a shared space of care, supporting childbirth, healing, hygiene, and rites of passage. It was (+ still is) a relational practice embedded in everyday life.
2. Women as Cultural Knowledge Holders
Women have long served as sauna tenders, midwives, washers, and ritual leaders, transmitting embodied knowledge across generations. They continue to do so today.
3. Sauna as Living Heritage
Sauna culture survives through repetition and practice. Its continuity depends on rhythm, responsibility, and intergenerational transmission, not simply architecture or design.
4. Sauna as Social Infrastructure
Drawing on Dalva’s doctoral folklore research and Becky's doctoral work on regenerative third spaces, the presentation positioned sauna as essential social infrastructure, a cultural commons that strengthens community wellbeing.
5. Women Shaping the Global Sauna Movement
Today, women are leading sauna businesses, community spaces, and cultural education initiatives across Finland, North America, and across the globe. These women-led spaces are anchoring sauna as a living cultural practice rather than a passing wellness trend. Women in sauna today shared their voices on the way they hold space, build community, and see the future of sauna evolving.
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Inspiring women from Finland + North America shared their voices at the end of the "Women in Sauna" talk like Azar Eskandarpour from "Humans Who Bathe."
Becky’s participation in National Sauna Week builds on her continued international leadership in the sauna sector. She has also been invited to co-host the World Sauna Forum with Sauna from Finland for the second consecutive year, reflecting growing global recognition of work connecting Finnish sauna heritage with community-rooted sauna development in Canada.
If you are interested in Finnish sauna culture, women in sauna leadership, regenerative sauna practices, or the future of sauna in North America, this presentation offers historical depth and contemporary insight.
The full recording of Women of the Sauna: Keepers, Healers, and Future Builders is now available to view.
If you are interested in Finnish sauna culture, women in sauna leadership, regenerative sauna practices, or the future of sauna in North America, this presentation offers historical depth and contemporary insight.
The full recording of Women of the Sauna: Keepers, Healers, and Future Builders is now available to view.
Authentic Finnish Tent Saunas Now Available in Canada + the US
We are happy to announce that Kamu Sauna is now an official Canadian distributor of TelttaSaana tent saunas. We ship across Canada, and clients in the United States can also contact us directly for ordering and logistics support.
If you are searching for a Finnish tent sauna in Canada, a wood-fired portable sauna, or a tent sauna built for real winter conditions, this partnership brings one of Finland’s most respected tent sauna manufacturers directly to North America.
If you are searching for a Finnish tent sauna in Canada, a wood-fired portable sauna, or a tent sauna built for real winter conditions, this partnership brings one of Finland’s most respected tent sauna manufacturers directly to North America.
Powered by Narvi: A Serious Finnish Sauna Stove
One of the most important features of the TelttaSaana system is the stove.
Each tent sauna is paired with a Narvi wood-fired sauna stove that is specifically engineered for tent sauna use. It is manufactured in Finland by Narvi, one of the country’s most established and respected sauna stove makers.
It is a purpose-built tent sauna stove developed exclusively for this system and unavailable in any other tent sauna package.
For us, this is the defining feature. The performance of a tent sauna depends heavily on the stove. Narvi’s tent stove delivers:
Each tent sauna is paired with a Narvi wood-fired sauna stove that is specifically engineered for tent sauna use. It is manufactured in Finland by Narvi, one of the country’s most established and respected sauna stove makers.
It is a purpose-built tent sauna stove developed exclusively for this system and unavailable in any other tent sauna package.
For us, this is the defining feature. The performance of a tent sauna depends heavily on the stove. Narvi’s tent stove delivers:
- Consistent, stable heat output
- Proper stone capacity for strong, balanced löyly
- Durable steel construction
- Clean, efficient combustion
- Long-term reliability in cold climates
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If you are looking for a portable sauna with a true Finnish stove, this Narvi-exclusive tent sauna model is a big reason the TelttaSaana system stands apart.
100% (Ok, 99.9%) Made in Finland
TelttaSaana is manufactured in Finland including the design, sewing, metal work, and stove production. Practically speaking, it is 99.9% made in Finland, with only a small zipper pull component sourced overseas.
For us, procurement really matters. Sauna is deeply embedded in Finnish life. When a tent sauna is designed and built in Finland, it reflects generational knowledge about heat distribution, ventilation, moisture control, and how people actually use sauna. The proportions are intentional and the airflow is not accidental. The bench height also supports a true vertical heat gradient.
If you are looking for an authentic Finnish sauna experience in a portable format, this is what distinguishes TelttaSaana.
For us, procurement really matters. Sauna is deeply embedded in Finnish life. When a tent sauna is designed and built in Finland, it reflects generational knowledge about heat distribution, ventilation, moisture control, and how people actually use sauna. The proportions are intentional and the airflow is not accidental. The bench height also supports a true vertical heat gradient.
If you are looking for an authentic Finnish sauna experience in a portable format, this is what distinguishes TelttaSaana.
Real Löyly in a Portable Format
From our perspective, TelttaSaana delivers something rare in the portable sauna category: proper löyly.
The tent volume, ceiling height, and ventilation work in balance with the Narvi stove. "Steam" rises and circulates as it should and the upper bench delivers full heat, while the lower bench offers a gentler experience.
The tent volume, ceiling height, and ventilation work in balance with the Narvi stove. "Steam" rises and circulates as it should and the upper bench delivers full heat, while the lower bench offers a gentler experience.
Engineered for Nordic AND Canadian Winters
Canadian weather is not forgiving on equipment. Snow, wind, moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and transport all test durability quickly.
TelttaSaana tents are engineered for Nordic conditions. The fabric weight, reinforced seams, structural frame, and stove integration reflect serious winter use. This is equipment designed to be used repeatedly in cold climates.
If you are searching for a winter-ready tent sauna in Canada, durability matters as much as heat quality.
TelttaSaana tents are engineered for Nordic conditions. The fabric weight, reinforced seams, structural frame, and stove integration reflect serious winter use. This is equipment designed to be used repeatedly in cold climates.
If you are searching for a winter-ready tent sauna in Canada, durability matters as much as heat quality.
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For entrepreneurs, families, and individuals, TelttaSaana lowers the barrier to entry. It allows you to build a regular sauna practice at home, host pop-ups or community gatherings, or test a business concept before investing in a permanent structure, all while maintaining proper Finnish heat.
Portable Sauna Without Compromising Sauna Principles
Many portable saunas sacrifice stove performance or bench height. TelttaSaana maintains proper sauna fundamentals while remaining transportable.
This opens practical possibilities:
For personal use, entrepreneurs, and communities, a tent sauna can support regular practice and serve as a meaningful entry point into building local sauna culture with integrity.
This opens practical possibilities:
- Backyard sauna installations
- Camping, lakeside + riverside sauna setups
- Backcountry ski huts + rural tourism activations
- Retreats + outdoor events
- Community pilot projects before building permanent infrastructure
For personal use, entrepreneurs, and communities, a tent sauna can support regular practice and serve as a meaningful entry point into building local sauna culture with integrity.
Why Kamu Sauna Chose TelttaSaana
We only distribute products we use + recommend ourselves.
The combination of ethical Finnish manufacturing, Narvi stove integration, proper proportions, and cultural grounding made this an easy decision for us. The founder, Sebastian, has facilitated and built hundreds of tent sauna setups and sessions. As a backcountry guide and experienced sauna practitioner, he has tested these systems in real conditions and refined the design through hands-on use. That practical experience is evident in the details.
We are not interested in trend-based wellness products. We are committed to supporting authentic, wood-fired sauna practice in Canada with tested, well-built systems we trust and can stand behind.
TelttaSaana at World Sauna Forum in Finland, 2025.
Ordering TelttaSaana in Canada + the US
Kamu Sauna sells directly to customers across Canada and works directly with U.S. clients.
We support:
If you are looking to purchase a Narvi-powered Finnish wood-fired tent sauna for personal, community, or commercial use, we are happy to provide specifications, pricing, and shipping details.
Visit our store page or contact us directly to begin.
Hyviä löylyjä,
Kamu Sauna
We support:
- Purchase + answering all questions direct to customers
- Safe setup and ventilation guidance
- Shipping logistics across Canada and into the U.S.
- Integration into tourism, retreat, or community models
- Responsible hosting practices
If you are looking to purchase a Narvi-powered Finnish wood-fired tent sauna for personal, community, or commercial use, we are happy to provide specifications, pricing, and shipping details.
Visit our store page or contact us directly to begin.
Hyviä löylyjä,
Kamu Sauna
Wholesale + Regional Distribution Opportunities
In addition to direct sales, Kamu Sauna is the Canadian distributor and is building a regional partner network for affiliates + partners.
We are seeking qualified retailers and regional distributors who want to carry and support this system responsibly. Ideal partners include:
If you are interested in distribution opportunities, please contact us with details about your business and location.
We are seeking qualified retailers and regional distributors who want to carry and support this system responsibly. Ideal partners include:
- Established sauna builders or operators
- Nordic or outdoor equipment retailers
- Tourism infrastructure providers
- Community-based entrepreneurs committed to authentic sauna practice
If you are interested in distribution opportunities, please contact us with details about your business and location.
If you would like to experience a TelttaSaana in person before purchasing, come visit us in the Kootenays and try one for yourself. You can also rent one, and all rental fees will be applied toward your final purchase price.
The West Coast Sauna Summit gathers builders, cultural stewards, researchers, and sauna practitioners from across North America for a weekend of deep listening, shared learning, and embodied experience. This year's Summit invited a shared inquiry into the future of sauna culture and the responsibility of tending it with care and intention.
Rather than offering a full schedule recap of the Summit held at the UBC's Malcolm Knapp Research Forest over January 15-18, 2026 this year, we want to honor the deeper currents that ran through the Summit: belonging, lineage, sustainable practice, and the responsibility of holding bathing culture as living heritage not just a "bums on seats" business or shallow wellness trend.
We especially loved Courtney Wittich’s thoughtful, real-time reporting through the S.P.A. Substack, which is capturing the tone, questions, and spirit of the weekend beautifully. If you want a session-by-session lens on the Summit, we highly recommend following her work here: https://substack.com/@spaaaaaaaaah
One idea echoed throughout the sessions, saunas, and late-night conversations:
Rather than offering a full schedule recap of the Summit held at the UBC's Malcolm Knapp Research Forest over January 15-18, 2026 this year, we want to honor the deeper currents that ran through the Summit: belonging, lineage, sustainable practice, and the responsibility of holding bathing culture as living heritage not just a "bums on seats" business or shallow wellness trend.
We especially loved Courtney Wittich’s thoughtful, real-time reporting through the S.P.A. Substack, which is capturing the tone, questions, and spirit of the weekend beautifully. If you want a session-by-session lens on the Summit, we highly recommend following her work here: https://substack.com/@spaaaaaaaaah
One idea echoed throughout the sessions, saunas, and late-night conversations:
“The idea is not to have the best sauna on the block but to get the block in the sauna.” -Mikkel Aaland
 Sauna legends Mikkel Aaland and Glen Auerbach opened the Summit with a keynote. |  Mikkel embodying the rituals he lives and breathes. |
From "Wellness" to Belonging
A clear shift is happening in sauna and bathing culture conversations: away from performative wellness and toward spaces of genuine connection.
As Alan Jalasjaa shared:
As Alan Jalasjaa shared:
“Moving forward, the most successful wellness destinations won’t sell health, they will offer belonging.”
This reframing challenges sauna operators and builders to think beyond products and protocols and instead ask:
The Summit underscored that the future of sauna depends not on perfection, but on meaningful, care-focused (not extraction-focused) participation.
- Who is this space for?
- Who feels welcome here?
- What kinds of relationships are being built?
- What deep-rooted traditions am I honoring?
The Summit underscored that the future of sauna depends not on perfection, but on meaningful, care-focused (not extraction-focused) participation.
Deep Culture: Healing as Lineage, Not Lifestyle
Our own Becky Pelkonen led a panel exploring how our understanding of “healing” is shaped by the cultural lineages and worldviews we choose to honor.
Rather than treating sauna as an oversimplified wellness tool, the panel invited participants to see sauna as a cultural language; one that carries meaning through history, ritual, and relationship to place.
Key reflections included:
This session asked North American sauna communities to evolve responsibly by grounding their practices in lineage, relationship to land, and community-defined approaches to healing that remain complex, contextual, and authentic.
Rather than treating sauna as an oversimplified wellness tool, the panel invited participants to see sauna as a cultural language; one that carries meaning through history, ritual, and relationship to place.
Key reflections included:
- Healing is not universal in form, but universal in intention.
- Bathing cultures speak different languages while carrying shared messages of health, community care, and belonging.
- When traditions are extracted or oversimplified, they lose their depth. When they are held with care, they open pathways to connection and shared meaning.
This session asked North American sauna communities to evolve responsibly by grounding their practices in lineage, relationship to land, and community-defined approaches to healing that remain complex, contextual, and authentic.
 Becky, Niamh + Jake Newport of Finnmark Sauna out of the UK. |  Ionut of UBC Forestry + Loon Lake Retreat Center with Juho, enjoying 1 of the 11 saunas at the Summit. |
Sauna as "Social Work"
Another powerful theme was the idea that reviving bathing culture is not merely about individual wellbeing; it is about collective care.
“Reviving bathing culture is social work and should be seen as such. It contributes to a common good.” -Azar Eskandarpour
We felt Azar "brought the house down" with her research and perspectives reframing sauna as social infrastructure and a methodology for resilience-building: a place where loneliness is eased, trust is rebuilt, and people experience care in the deepest senses. In this sense, sauna becomes less about escape and more about repair and building resilience over generations.
 Azar with her talk on "Sauna + Resilience." Our favorite talk of the Summit. |  |
Serving the Sauna First
Throughout the Summit, we were pleased to see humility emerging as a guiding principle.
“Serve the sauna first.” -Kaisu Järvelin
And alongside it, a reminder that authenticity requires limits:
“The ego and hubris of ‘wellness’ is the belief that we can do it all. Scope of practice and permission matters. Be authentic.” -Dave Gu
Not every sauna space needs to be or "do" everything. The most meaningful spaces understand their role, their lineage, and their responsibility.
 Becky led a panel talk on "deep culture" with Dan + Anya of "Banya House" + Kaisu who is a Finnish sauna healer. |  Sweetgrass, Cedarbark + Saunavihta honoring Indigenous Lands + both continental + global traditions. |
Shared Roots + Responsible Practice
A central theme at the Summit was the relationship between culture, materials, and the intersection of responsibility. Conversations on sustainable forestry and design focused on the practical choices that shape authentic sauna experiences, from how wood is harvested to how supply chains are evaluated and firewood is sourced. One conversation captured it clearly:
“Procurement ethics matter. Think about how your wood is harvested. About how your stoves are made. Where your tents are constructed. We are breathing that in.”
Durability and craftsmanship were framed as very necessary and intentional acts of cultural and environmental care. Sauna simplicity and UNtrending were also discussed as the paths forward.
“Call me crazy, but I think we should build saunas that last.” -Juho Pelkonen
Many panelists, speakers + Summit-goers also reflected on what makes sauna spaces endure:
“The spaces that survive are those for the people. Those with a soul.”
And overall the Summit highlighted renewed respect for bathing cultures as plural and interconnected, with gratitude for the Finns for holding the thread of cultural knowledge tight over the generations:
“Finnish sauna is an incredible global cultural bathing strength. It has endured and supports other bathing traditions. It unifies communities.” -Mikkel Aaland
 TelttaSaana in action at the West Coast Sauna Summit |  |
Speakers emphasized learning from source traditions: Finnish, Slavic, Indigenous, and others, not to replicate them but to understand their meaning and context. While the soul of bathing culture is universal, it speaks in many dialects.
These ideas were embodied through shared sauna experiences, including sessions in our very own TelttaSaana, showing how various types + methods of sauna can still hold cultural integrity. We also introduced our new merch where we worked with local Fernie artist, Camille Pageau.
One of the clearest takeaways from the Summit was the call to reconnect sauna culture with its sources, the lands, peoples, and traditions that shaped it. Not as nostalgia, but as responsibility.
These ideas were embodied through shared sauna experiences, including sessions in our very own TelttaSaana, showing how various types + methods of sauna can still hold cultural integrity. We also introduced our new merch where we worked with local Fernie artist, Camille Pageau.
One of the clearest takeaways from the Summit was the call to reconnect sauna culture with its sources, the lands, peoples, and traditions that shaped it. Not as nostalgia, but as responsibility.
"If sauna can't fix it, nothing can fix it."
Sauna, at its best, is a practice of being together. A living tradition that reminds us that health is collective, not individual. The work ahead is to build communities strong enough to gather inside the heat so that everyone feels that coveted remembrance of belonging.
Panel speaker Alan Jalasjaa, Sauna From Finland Ambassador + Kivia Podcast on Global Wellness Trends + the North American Sauna Ecosystem.
Gratitude + Looking Ahead
We were honored to be part of the "Team Steam" group of incredible volunteers + are deeply grateful to the founders Val, Linda + Hadi, and to the speakers, builders, and participants who brought their knowledge, curiosity, and care into every conversation and every round of löyly.
As sauna culture continues to expand across North America, the questions raised, + calls-to-actions posed, at this Summit will stay with us. How do we honor source traditions without simplifying them? How do we build with integrity and humility? How do we create spaces that welcome people into belonging rather than performance?
We feel the answers will unfold not come from a single model or method, but from relationships where we listen to each other and allow for both space + values to guide the path forward.
We look forward to continuing these conversations, inside the heat and far beyond it.
As sauna culture continues to expand across North America, the questions raised, + calls-to-actions posed, at this Summit will stay with us. How do we honor source traditions without simplifying them? How do we build with integrity and humility? How do we create spaces that welcome people into belonging rather than performance?
We feel the answers will unfold not come from a single model or method, but from relationships where we listen to each other and allow for both space + values to guide the path forward.
We look forward to continuing these conversations, inside the heat and far beyond it.
Sauna Hats Are Having a Moment - Here’s Why You’ll Want One (+ Let's Talk About Saunacore)
10/18/2025
The Rise of the Sauna Hat
The sauna hat sits at the crossroads of tradition and reinvention, reflecting yet another way wherein sauna culture continues to adapt and evolve over time. While felt hats have long been part of Slavic Banya culture, in Finland they’re a more recent addition embraced for comfort, function, and - let’s be honest -style rather than purely cultural convention.
It’s a clever evolution, a modern nod to craft and care that fits naturally into today’s global sauna movement from Helsinki to the Kootenays in BC Canada.
Whimsical at first glance but far from a precious novelty, these hats offer both protection and smart design, proof that sauna culture continues to evolve with us.
It’s a clever evolution, a modern nod to craft and care that fits naturally into today’s global sauna movement from Helsinki to the Kootenays in BC Canada.
Whimsical at first glance but far from a precious novelty, these hats offer both protection and smart design, proof that sauna culture continues to evolve with us.
Sauna Hats + the Rise of "Saunacore"
We can’t really talk about sauna hats right now without talking about Saunacore.
Saunacore isn't just about an aesthetic; it's visual proof of a cultural renaissance of "slowing down." Our friend + colleague, Linda Helisto calls on entrepreneurs in the wellness world to embrace "ease as the new hustle," and we couldn't agree more. The sauna hat sits right at the center of all this story, equal parts folk tradition and flex, a wool-felt wink to those in the know.
Across fashion feeds and wellness columns, sauna hats are suddenly everywhere - a woolen crown for a post-modern culture rediscovering what it even means (and feels like) to pause. Once a niche nod to Nordic and Slavic bathhouse traditions, the felt sauna hat has become a symbol of modern cool, where design and a little irony seem to coexist.
From Pamela Anderson’s quiet-luxury wellness rebrand to Seth Rogen’s viral Sauna Boss moment, and the Backstreet Boys sweating it out in Kazakhstan, the sauna hat is having its full-blown pop-culture moment. It’s showing up on photo sets, in influencer retreats (no, we've never been to one), and in those blurry 35mm selfies that make you wish you were there.
At its core, Saunacore is the cultural current that we're here for, a movement where functionality meets both consciousness and a little humor. Think less spa-day perfection, more real bodies + conscious living. We celebrate all of it - the slowness, the imperfect vulnerabilities, and the courage to laugh at ourselves, event when we're half-naked in public.
If sauna is the original, ancient reset button, Saunacore is the remix, and a reminder that wellness doesn't (and shouldn't) need to be polished to feel good.
Saunacore isn't just about an aesthetic; it's visual proof of a cultural renaissance of "slowing down." Our friend + colleague, Linda Helisto calls on entrepreneurs in the wellness world to embrace "ease as the new hustle," and we couldn't agree more. The sauna hat sits right at the center of all this story, equal parts folk tradition and flex, a wool-felt wink to those in the know.
Across fashion feeds and wellness columns, sauna hats are suddenly everywhere - a woolen crown for a post-modern culture rediscovering what it even means (and feels like) to pause. Once a niche nod to Nordic and Slavic bathhouse traditions, the felt sauna hat has become a symbol of modern cool, where design and a little irony seem to coexist.
From Pamela Anderson’s quiet-luxury wellness rebrand to Seth Rogen’s viral Sauna Boss moment, and the Backstreet Boys sweating it out in Kazakhstan, the sauna hat is having its full-blown pop-culture moment. It’s showing up on photo sets, in influencer retreats (no, we've never been to one), and in those blurry 35mm selfies that make you wish you were there.
At its core, Saunacore is the cultural current that we're here for, a movement where functionality meets both consciousness and a little humor. Think less spa-day perfection, more real bodies + conscious living. We celebrate all of it - the slowness, the imperfect vulnerabilities, and the courage to laugh at ourselves, event when we're half-naked in public.
If sauna is the original, ancient reset button, Saunacore is the remix, and a reminder that wellness doesn't (and shouldn't) need to be polished to feel good.
 The Kamu Sauna team wanted to try on Seth Rogan's Sauna Boss, Saunacore-style from his new movie "Good Fortune". Who's the biggest boss? You tell us. (PS. Photos generated with human skill in Adobe photoshop, not AI). |  Canadian icon Pamela Anderson sharing her quiet luxury, Saunacore moment, with us on IG. (Credit - @pamelaanderson) |
Why wear a sauna hat?
So let's get into the "booksmart-stuff" about sauna hats.
When you step into the heat of sauna, your head and scalp warm faster than the rest of your body given the way the heat rises in the space. The head and scalp also heat up faster than the rest of the body because of their rich blood supply and direct exposure to hot air in the upper benches. A sauna hat functions as a thermal insulator, helping to slow down that rate of heat transfer and maintain a more even temperature distribution throughout the body.
Benefits of wearing a sauna hat include:
A well-made natural wool sauna hat helps regulate the body’s natural thermoregulatory response, improving comfort during prolonged sauna bathing.
When you step into the heat of sauna, your head and scalp warm faster than the rest of your body given the way the heat rises in the space. The head and scalp also heat up faster than the rest of the body because of their rich blood supply and direct exposure to hot air in the upper benches. A sauna hat functions as a thermal insulator, helping to slow down that rate of heat transfer and maintain a more even temperature distribution throughout the body.
Benefits of wearing a sauna hat include:
- It protects your hair and scalp from too much direct heat, helping prevent dryness and damage;
- It helps your body stay in better balance by keeping the temperature between your head and body more even; and
- It can make the whole sauna experience more comfortable so the heat feels relaxing instead of overwhelming.
A well-made natural wool sauna hat helps regulate the body’s natural thermoregulatory response, improving comfort during prolonged sauna bathing.
Shape, Function + Craft of Design
The distinctive cone or mushroom shape ("Gnomecore" enters the chat) of a sauna hat isn’t just an aesthetic thing for the 'gram; It’s part of the hat’s natural engineering. For example, the air pocket above the scalp creates a natural insulating layer, while the flared brim shields ears and forehead. The denser the felt and the more stable the air gap, the better the insulation.
Given our Finnish roots and partnerships, we’ve begun collaborating directly with Finnish designers and producers who carry forward the country’s legacy of purposeful design. In Finland, form always follows function, and the beauty lies in how seamlessly the two coexist.
Every curve, seam, and material choice in a quality wool sauna hat is intentional by true craftsfolk wherein hats are crafted to maintain thermal balance, comfort, and longevity, while embodying quiet precision, local skill + minimalism.
- Cone shape → lets hot air rise away from your head.
- Wide brim → protects sensitive areas from direct heat.
- Dense wool felt → maintains breathability while blocking radiant heat.
Given our Finnish roots and partnerships, we’ve begun collaborating directly with Finnish designers and producers who carry forward the country’s legacy of purposeful design. In Finland, form always follows function, and the beauty lies in how seamlessly the two coexist.
Every curve, seam, and material choice in a quality wool sauna hat is intentional by true craftsfolk wherein hats are crafted to maintain thermal balance, comfort, and longevity, while embodying quiet precision, local skill + minimalism.
From Banya Roots to Nordic + Global Reinventions
The earliest sauna hats originated in Slavic and Baltic steam-bathing traditions, where bathers wore thick felt hats to endure the intense humidity of banyas. These hats protected the head, allowed for longer sessions, and quickly became part of the ritual.
In Finland, the sauna hat entered the scene later. Finnish artisans embraced the idea, crafting hats from locally sourced wool, shaped with minimalist precision and ecological care.
Now, sauna hats, like our handcrafted Keidas Sauna Hat, represent a fusion of heritage and innovation: inspired by neighboring traditions, refined through Nordic craftsmanship, and aligned with the modern sauna lifestyle.
In Finland, the sauna hat entered the scene later. Finnish artisans embraced the idea, crafting hats from locally sourced wool, shaped with minimalist precision and ecological care.
Now, sauna hats, like our handcrafted Keidas Sauna Hat, represent a fusion of heritage and innovation: inspired by neighboring traditions, refined through Nordic craftsmanship, and aligned with the modern sauna lifestyle.
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Sustainability Woven In
We only work with producers who share our commitment to authentic materials, ethical production, and enduring design. Our first batch of sauna hats are handcrafted in Finland by a small, family-run textile studio that continues the country’s long tradition of wool craftsmanship.
Their process begins with locally sourced wool, washed and felted using minimal water and biodegradable soaps. These are timeless materials shaped with care, without synthetics nor mass production.
Handcrafted from wool, a well-made + ethical sauna sauna hat will carry the spirit of slow design that is intentional, enduring, and rooted in respect for nature and craft. Every detail, from felt density to stitching, shows a deep understanding of wool as a living, renewable fiber.
Each hat embodies the same values as sauna itself including simplicity, sustainability, and respect for nature’s rhythm.
Their process begins with locally sourced wool, washed and felted using minimal water and biodegradable soaps. These are timeless materials shaped with care, without synthetics nor mass production.
Handcrafted from wool, a well-made + ethical sauna sauna hat will carry the spirit of slow design that is intentional, enduring, and rooted in respect for nature and craft. Every detail, from felt density to stitching, shows a deep understanding of wool as a living, renewable fiber.
- Natural fibers: 100 % Finnish wool that is renewable, biodegradable, and naturally heat-resistant.
- Ethical production: Each hat is made by hand in small batches, ensuring fair working conditions and traceable sourcing.
- Circular design: Built to last, designed to age beautifully, and capable of returning to Earth at end of life.
Each hat embodies the same values as sauna itself including simplicity, sustainability, and respect for nature’s rhythm.
Caring for your (Natural Wool) Sauna Hat
- Air dry after each use; never store it damp. (We always leave our sauna hats directly on our personal sauna bench after feeding the kiuas one last time which dries it out perfectly).
- Gently spot-clean with cool water if needed.
- Avoid harsh soaps or machine washing — natural wool’s lanolin is self-cleaning.
- Store in a breathable bag or on an open shelf away from sunlight.
With a little care, your natural wool sauna hat will last for years, carrying the scent of freshly-cut firewood and the memory of good heat.
Final Thoughts
The sauna hat is a paradox in the best way, where folk tradition meets a little flex. It carries equal parts heritage and humor, embodying everything sauna stands for: humility, heat, and the understanding that we all meet as equals in the steam.
If sauna is the ritual, the hat and that Saunacore spirit are the reminder to slow down, laugh often, and not take wellness, or yourself, too seriously.
If sauna is the ritual, the hat and that Saunacore spirit are the reminder to slow down, laugh often, and not take wellness, or yourself, too seriously.
From Finland to the Kootenays, BC: 10 Lessons We’re Bringing Home from World Sauna Forum 2025
8/4/2025
By Kamu Sauna — A Canadian Sauna Company Sharing Authentic Finnish Sauna in Canada
This past June, we packed our towels, curiosity, and a little courage for a trip from our (now) home in the Kootenays, British Columbia, to our 2nd home in Jyväskylä, Finland for World Sauna Forum 2025 with Sauna From Finland. It was a gathering of sauna leaders, sauna companies, designers, researchers, and culture-keepers from around the world - all exploring what it means to protect, grow, and share authentic Finnish sauna culture.
As a now-Canadian sauna company that builds saunas and hosts authentic Finnish sauna experiences, we went not only to learn, but also to contribute. Thanks to the invitation from Sauna from Finland, we had the honour of supporting the hosting of the event. And more importantly, we had the privilege of sharing deep conversations and powerful löyly with people who understand sauna not as a “trend,” but as a way of life.
Below are the 10 insights that have stuck with us most since returning home. These are ideas we’re still unpacking as we think about the future of authentic Finnish sauna in Canada - from small mountain towns to cities across the country.
As a now-Canadian sauna company that builds saunas and hosts authentic Finnish sauna experiences, we went not only to learn, but also to contribute. Thanks to the invitation from Sauna from Finland, we had the honour of supporting the hosting of the event. And more importantly, we had the privilege of sharing deep conversations and powerful löyly with people who understand sauna not as a “trend,” but as a way of life.
Below are the 10 insights that have stuck with us most since returning home. These are ideas we’re still unpacking as we think about the future of authentic Finnish sauna in Canada - from small mountain towns to cities across the country.
Our Top 10 Insights from World Sauna Forum 2025
1. Keep it simple.
Good sauna design doesn’t shout. It prioritizes beauty, balance and reciprocity. Windows are optional. Connection is essential.
2. Sauna ≠ trend.
This isn’t just a wellness fad or trend. Sauna is a timeless, global practice rooted in culture and place. In Finland and Estonia, it’s a way of life. In Japan, Norway, Ireland, the UK, and beyond, it’s a reclaimed rite/right and a ritual for community care and restoration.
3. Sharing sauna is an act of service.
Hosting sauna is both a responsibility and a gift. We stepped up both locally and globally because it matters. Thank you to Sauna from Finland for the opportunity — and for doing vital work to protect the heart of true sauna.
4. “The elements teach us who we are.”
Kiitos, Heikki Huovinen and Hanna Markulsela, for sharing: “Nature’s elements offer us the kind of healthy, cyclical stress we’re missing in today’s chronically stressed world.” Hot. Cold. Water. Stillness. These shape us and make us stronger, by nature.
5. “Sustainability can only ‘sustain’ when it’s rooted in culture.”
During the opening of the Forum, Becky spoke to sauna’s deeper purpose. Sustainability isn’t just about materials — it relies on shared meaning and responsibility. As the global movement grows, we must remember this or risk missing, and misusing, the whole point.
6. Finland leads with generosity.
Sauna from Finland has become a global guide, showing what authentic sauna culture can look and feel like. Finland isn’t gatekeeping sauna — she’s holding a critical thread and creating space for others to learn, adapt, and build from ancient tradition held with deep care.
7. Canada is ready for real community saunas.
So many asked, “Why isn’t Canada doing this at scale like other places?” The truth is, Canada is ready. People want more than amenities — they want spaces that restore and reconnect. Too often, new projects prioritize luxury over community. To meet this need, zoning and policy must evolve. We’re here to help.
8. Sauna builds connection fast.
Charlie from London’s Community Sauna Baths said it best: “Every networking event should have a sauna.” Walls drop and words flow. Silences are shared. We connect more honestly and more openly. Sauna makes space for real, rapid human connection that sticks.
9. Good sauna? Good design.
Dr. Lassi Liikkanen reminded us that quality sauna design starts with respect for löyly + the science of room dimensions + ventilation. Architects like Sami Rintala showed us what’s possible when spaces draw us inward in order to transcend.
Sauna is ancient design with a simple formula. Start there. The rest is co-creation.
10. Sauna is radical equity.
In Finland, there’s no timer and no titles. Every body is welcome. Whether CEO or student, you share the same bench and löyly together. The power of sauna is that it levels things out.
(Bonus) Speak less, listen more.
After finishing this Top 10, we realized the most important lesson was actually to listen. Clarity often comes through quiet. Sauna invites conversation but also teaches us to notice what lives in the spaces between.
1. Keep it simple.
Good sauna design doesn’t shout. It prioritizes beauty, balance and reciprocity. Windows are optional. Connection is essential.
2. Sauna ≠ trend.
This isn’t just a wellness fad or trend. Sauna is a timeless, global practice rooted in culture and place. In Finland and Estonia, it’s a way of life. In Japan, Norway, Ireland, the UK, and beyond, it’s a reclaimed rite/right and a ritual for community care and restoration.
3. Sharing sauna is an act of service.
Hosting sauna is both a responsibility and a gift. We stepped up both locally and globally because it matters. Thank you to Sauna from Finland for the opportunity — and for doing vital work to protect the heart of true sauna.
4. “The elements teach us who we are.”
Kiitos, Heikki Huovinen and Hanna Markulsela, for sharing: “Nature’s elements offer us the kind of healthy, cyclical stress we’re missing in today’s chronically stressed world.” Hot. Cold. Water. Stillness. These shape us and make us stronger, by nature.
5. “Sustainability can only ‘sustain’ when it’s rooted in culture.”
During the opening of the Forum, Becky spoke to sauna’s deeper purpose. Sustainability isn’t just about materials — it relies on shared meaning and responsibility. As the global movement grows, we must remember this or risk missing, and misusing, the whole point.
6. Finland leads with generosity.
Sauna from Finland has become a global guide, showing what authentic sauna culture can look and feel like. Finland isn’t gatekeeping sauna — she’s holding a critical thread and creating space for others to learn, adapt, and build from ancient tradition held with deep care.
7. Canada is ready for real community saunas.
So many asked, “Why isn’t Canada doing this at scale like other places?” The truth is, Canada is ready. People want more than amenities — they want spaces that restore and reconnect. Too often, new projects prioritize luxury over community. To meet this need, zoning and policy must evolve. We’re here to help.
8. Sauna builds connection fast.
Charlie from London’s Community Sauna Baths said it best: “Every networking event should have a sauna.” Walls drop and words flow. Silences are shared. We connect more honestly and more openly. Sauna makes space for real, rapid human connection that sticks.
9. Good sauna? Good design.
Dr. Lassi Liikkanen reminded us that quality sauna design starts with respect for löyly + the science of room dimensions + ventilation. Architects like Sami Rintala showed us what’s possible when spaces draw us inward in order to transcend.
Sauna is ancient design with a simple formula. Start there. The rest is co-creation.
10. Sauna is radical equity.
In Finland, there’s no timer and no titles. Every body is welcome. Whether CEO or student, you share the same bench and löyly together. The power of sauna is that it levels things out.
(Bonus) Speak less, listen more.
After finishing this Top 10, we realized the most important lesson was actually to listen. Clarity often comes through quiet. Sauna invites conversation but also teaches us to notice what lives in the spaces between.
Bringing It Home to Canada
At Kamu Sauna, we believe Canada is ready for more authentic Finnish sauna experiences — not just as wellness amenities, but as true community spaces. As a Canadian sauna company, we’re committed to building and hosting saunas that respect tradition, foster connection, and invite everyone to the bench.
The lessons from World Sauna Forum remind us that sauna is more than heat and steam. It’s culture. It’s care. And it’s a chance to connect — from Finland to the Kootenays and beyond.
Warm wishes,
Becky + Juho
Kamu Sauna – Your Canadian Sauna Company for Authentic Finnish Sauna in Canada
At Kamu Sauna, we believe Canada is ready for more authentic Finnish sauna experiences — not just as wellness amenities, but as true community spaces. As a Canadian sauna company, we’re committed to building and hosting saunas that respect tradition, foster connection, and invite everyone to the bench.
The lessons from World Sauna Forum remind us that sauna is more than heat and steam. It’s culture. It’s care. And it’s a chance to connect — from Finland to the Kootenays and beyond.
Warm wishes,
Becky + Juho
Kamu Sauna – Your Canadian Sauna Company for Authentic Finnish Sauna in Canada
Can kids go in the sauna? This is one of the most common questions we hear - and the answer is:
Yes, your children can sauna safely with you!
At Kamu Sauna, we love supporting families who want to experience the benefits of sauna together. Whether you're renting one of our mobile saunas, joining a private backyard session, or relaxing in one of our custom-built wood-fired saunas - families of all ages are welcome.
In fact, kids have enjoyed sauna for generations in Finland, where the sauna is not just a wellness tool, it’s a way of life.
Sauna is a Family Tradition - Even for Children
In Finnish culture, sauna is often introduced to children in early childhood, sometimes even as infants. It’s common for three generations to share the löyly (steam + sauna experience) in one session. (We recently shared an experience wherein Becky shared our 9-month old neice's first sauna alongside her Mom, her Grandmom, and her Great Grandmother - 4 generations and 2 nations!)
And here’s the key: with the right temperature, supervision, and length of time, sauna bathing is safe and healthy for kids.
According to the Finnish Sauna Society and supported by research in the American Journal of Medicine, sauna use is considered safe for children as long as they are properly supervised, hydrated, and sessions are kept short and warm rather than hot (Hannuksela & Ellahham, 2001).
Is Sauna Safe for Kids in Canada?
In Canada, where sauna culture is still growing, many parents are curious (and cautious) about whether it's safe to bring their kids into a hot sauna. The short answer is yes - with awareness and moderation.
We've hosted families with children as young as 5 in our private sauna rentals. And we’ve built custom saunas specifically for families who sauna together regularly. (That said, our Community Sessions are generally for ages 18+, but we’re always happy to accommodate families with mature youth - just reach out to ask.
Yes, your children can sauna safely with you!
At Kamu Sauna, we love supporting families who want to experience the benefits of sauna together. Whether you're renting one of our mobile saunas, joining a private backyard session, or relaxing in one of our custom-built wood-fired saunas - families of all ages are welcome.
In fact, kids have enjoyed sauna for generations in Finland, where the sauna is not just a wellness tool, it’s a way of life.
Sauna is a Family Tradition - Even for Children
In Finnish culture, sauna is often introduced to children in early childhood, sometimes even as infants. It’s common for three generations to share the löyly (steam + sauna experience) in one session. (We recently shared an experience wherein Becky shared our 9-month old neice's first sauna alongside her Mom, her Grandmom, and her Great Grandmother - 4 generations and 2 nations!)
And here’s the key: with the right temperature, supervision, and length of time, sauna bathing is safe and healthy for kids.
According to the Finnish Sauna Society and supported by research in the American Journal of Medicine, sauna use is considered safe for children as long as they are properly supervised, hydrated, and sessions are kept short and warm rather than hot (Hannuksela & Ellahham, 2001).
Is Sauna Safe for Kids in Canada?
In Canada, where sauna culture is still growing, many parents are curious (and cautious) about whether it's safe to bring their kids into a hot sauna. The short answer is yes - with awareness and moderation.
We've hosted families with children as young as 5 in our private sauna rentals. And we’ve built custom saunas specifically for families who sauna together regularly. (That said, our Community Sessions are generally for ages 18+, but we’re always happy to accommodate families with mature youth - just reach out to ask.
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Sauna Tips for Families: How to Sauna with Children Safely
Here are our top expert-backed tips* for safe sauna bathing with kids:
1. Know Your Child’s Needs
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids in Sauna
Q: What age is safe for kids to start using a sauna?
A: Finnish children often begin sauna bathing as toddlers. We recommend starting around age 5, or whenever you are comfortable as parents, with shorter sessions, lower heat, and close supervision.
Q: How long should kids stay in the sauna?
A: Start slow! For young children or first-timers, we recommend short sessions of 5–10 minutes at lower temperatures (60–70°C / 140–160°F). Let them step out to cool down when they feel ready. Sauna is not a competition - it’s about tuning in. Over time, with experience and supervision, children can gradually increase their time, just like adults.
Q: Can I bring my child to a community sauna session?
A: Kamu Sauna Community sessions are 18+, but we occasionally make exceptions. And - you are more than welcome to have your children in a private sauna session or a private mobile sauna rental. Just send us a message - inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.
🧡 Sauna is Family Connection
Sauna is about more than just sweating. It’s about connection - with yourself, your loved ones, and the natural rhythms of nature and your body. When shared with care, sauna bathing can be one of the most grounding, joyful family rituals there is.
If you’ve got questions about family sauna safety, or want to book a private sauna experience with your kids, just reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
References:
Explore our private sauna rentals available across the East Kootenays or custom family sauna builds available across Canada and beyond.
📍 Serving Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie and beyond. Private, custom and backyard sauna builds available across Canada and beyond.
📧 Questions? Contact us anytime - we’re here to help you sauna safely.
Here are our top expert-backed tips* for safe sauna bathing with kids:
1. Know Your Child’s Needs
- Every child is different. Start slowly and pay attention to how your child feels.
- If they’re new to heat or sensitive to warm environments, shorter and cooler sessions are key.
- Keep temperatures between 60–70°C (140–160°F)
- Sit together on the lower bench where the heat is less intense
- Start with sessions no longer than 5–10 minutes
- Children should never sauna alone
- Supervision is critical to monitor how they’re reacting to the heat
- Sauna bathers of all ages should hydrate before and after
- Encourage kids to drink water regularly, just like adults
- If your child has health conditions, ask your family doctor before introducing them to sauna
- Children under 6 may have more difficulty regulating body temperature
- Sauna time is a great chance to teach your child about body awareness, listening to their limits, and the value of rest and ritual
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids in Sauna
Q: What age is safe for kids to start using a sauna?
A: Finnish children often begin sauna bathing as toddlers. We recommend starting around age 5, or whenever you are comfortable as parents, with shorter sessions, lower heat, and close supervision.
Q: How long should kids stay in the sauna?
A: Start slow! For young children or first-timers, we recommend short sessions of 5–10 minutes at lower temperatures (60–70°C / 140–160°F). Let them step out to cool down when they feel ready. Sauna is not a competition - it’s about tuning in. Over time, with experience and supervision, children can gradually increase their time, just like adults.
Q: Can I bring my child to a community sauna session?
A: Kamu Sauna Community sessions are 18+, but we occasionally make exceptions. And - you are more than welcome to have your children in a private sauna session or a private mobile sauna rental. Just send us a message - inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.
🧡 Sauna is Family Connection
Sauna is about more than just sweating. It’s about connection - with yourself, your loved ones, and the natural rhythms of nature and your body. When shared with care, sauna bathing can be one of the most grounding, joyful family rituals there is.
If you’ve got questions about family sauna safety, or want to book a private sauna experience with your kids, just reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
References:
- Hannuksela, Minna & Ellahham, Samer. (2001). Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. The American journal of medicine. 110. 118-26.
Explore our private sauna rentals available across the East Kootenays or custom family sauna builds available across Canada and beyond.
📍 Serving Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie and beyond. Private, custom and backyard sauna builds available across Canada and beyond.
📧 Questions? Contact us anytime - we’re here to help you sauna safely.
We attended the first-ever West Coast Sauna Summit this year and wanted to share what we learned and were inspired by. From Friday, January 17th, to Sunday, January 20th, sauna lovers, entrepreneurs, operators, builders, practitioners, and wellness folks gathered at the Loon Lake Retreat Centre in the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest for the inaugural West Coast Sauna Summit (WCSS). As Canada's first dedicated sauna industry event, event founders Valtteri (thefinnishsauna.ca) + Linda (lindahelisto.com), created a space for business, wellness, and sauna culture to thrive. Over the course of the weekend, we all immersed ourselves in good heat and both formal and informal conversations while forging new connections in the rapidly growing sauna industry in North America.
Our Key Takeaways from the inaugural West Coast Sauna Summit
The Rise of Sauna Culture in North America: Sauna culture is expanding rapidly across Canada and the U.S., with more people embracing the health benefits of heat therapy. At WCSS, discussions highlighted the increasing demand for high-quality sauna experiences, from traditional wood-fired saunas to innovative community sauna projects. For us, we want to continue seeing cultural authenticity taking the lead on this movement, rather than shallow trends. More on this below!
1. Sauna + Nature: The Ultimate Experience: One of the most powerful takeaways was the synergy between sauna and nature. Whether set in the forest, by a lake, or in a remote retreat, the connection between heat and nature enhances the overall experience. Loon Lake Lodge was the perfect setting to demonstrate this with Old Growth protect forests supporting a deep forest bathing experience.
2. Good Design Brings Nature Within: Design plays a crucial role in the sauna experience. Thoughtful architectural and interior design allow sauna bathers to feel connected to the natural world, whether through panoramic windows, organic materials, or integration with the surrounding landscape. Vicky with Aerth Saunas, a new community space being built in Victoria BC, demonstrated how to do this right - using architecture to transform underutilized urban spaces to bring a sense of nature within. Beautiful.
3. Sauna Culture is About Building Community: Saunas are way beyond just a wellness tool—they are community spaces. WCSS reinforced for us the idea that saunas foster social bonding and truly are "the new pub" and the fastest-growing "third space". Alan Jalasjaa with Kivia Sauna really spoke to this in his presentation and through connections we were able to make in each of the 7 saunas on-site for the event. We left the summit even more committed to creating sauna spaces that bring people together in our communities in meaningful ways.
4. Innovation Thrives When Rooted in Culture: Given Kamu Sauna is deeply connected to Finnish roots, this one really hit home for us. While the sauna industry is evolving with modern wellness trends, we feel innovation is most successful when it respects and is informed by traditional practices. Honoring tradition and balancing heritage with new technologies creates authentic and sustainable sauna experiences. We see so many folks entering the space with little experience in truly understanding the cultural touchpoints and meaning of sauna bathing. For us, we focus deeply on authentic Finnish sauna practices and strive to live and breathe these practices in all we do.
5. Women at the Forefront of Sauna Culture: Although not overtly discussed at WCSS, connections we made emphasized that women should continue to play a leading role in shaping and stewarding sauna culture forward. Juho says that "women have always stewarded sauna culture in Finland" and you can see the women entrepreneurs in the N American sauna industry, in particular, really leading the way. Shout-out to Halina at Gather Sauna House in Oregon for all that you are doing to educate + lead the way. Also check out the Instagram page "Sauna Sirens" to see more incredible women in sauna entrepreneurship. Women-led knowledge and perspectives are essential in preserving traditions and expanding sauna accessibility. Feel free to give more shout-outs in the comments below.
6. Sauna Pairs with... Almost Everything: From cold plunges to yoga, meditation, culinary experiences and social gatherings, sauna culture seamlessly integrates with various unique activities, making it an incredibly versatile experience. Check out our friend Oll with The Good Sauna in Vancouver + Manchester who brings the good heat through micro-brewery partnerships.
7. Sharing + Learning: A Powerful Source of Inspiration: The sauna community can really thrive on the exchange of ideas and experiences. WCSS demonstrated that learning from one another—whether through business strategies, construction techniques, or cultural traditions—is an invaluable resource for growth and innovation. We will also be attending the World Sauna Forum as part of the Sauna from Finland team this year to continue these important discussions.
Final Thoughts
The first-ever West Coast Sauna Summit, for us, was really validating, offering a weekend of learning, connection, and inspiration. As sauna culture continues to grow in Canada and beyond, events like WCSS play a crucial role in shaping the future of the industry in a sustainable and meaningful way. Whether you’re a seasoned sauna enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of heat therapy, the summit proved that there is a welcoming community full of knowledge ready to embrace the journey with you.
Were you at WCSS? Share your favorite moments in the comments below and give shout-outs to those bringing the good heat!
 Photo credit: Linda Helistö  Team Kamu Sauna with Alan Jalasjaa |  Photo credit: Linda Helistö  Becky with Helena from Gather Sauna House |  Photo credit: Linda Helistö  Photo credit: Linda Helistö |
Thank you to Valtteri + Linda for bringing us together in a good way!
We launched Kamu Sauna in December of 2022 and, as any new business owner would know, the first year of a new small business is always such a whirlwind—we felt like we were between so many worlds and juggling a hundred things at once. There were two things we always remained focused on however:
1. Building Sauna culture first and foremost, and
2. Working directly with Community and local folks to respond to needs.
The result after our first year was, what we thought, a solid foundation to continue building upon. With Juho being from Finland, to build authentic and meaningful Sauna culture in the East Kootenays means so much to us. And it seems - Sauna means a lot to our local Community of Kimberley BC also.
In March of 2024, we were shocked to have been awarded the most coveted-of-all-small-town business awards, the 2023 "Business of the Year Award" by the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce! We are still so stoked and incredibly grateful for the Kimberley Community to rally around us in this way. Entrepreneurs sure know how challenging the starting of a business can be, especially one as personal as Kamu is to us. Stuff like this can be really validating that we are on the right path. With immense gratitude.
What now? Well we've got exciting things ahead - stay tuned on all our updates by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on Instagram. We love having you as part of the Kamu Sauna Community!
1. Building Sauna culture first and foremost, and
2. Working directly with Community and local folks to respond to needs.
The result after our first year was, what we thought, a solid foundation to continue building upon. With Juho being from Finland, to build authentic and meaningful Sauna culture in the East Kootenays means so much to us. And it seems - Sauna means a lot to our local Community of Kimberley BC also.
In March of 2024, we were shocked to have been awarded the most coveted-of-all-small-town business awards, the 2023 "Business of the Year Award" by the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce! We are still so stoked and incredibly grateful for the Kimberley Community to rally around us in this way. Entrepreneurs sure know how challenging the starting of a business can be, especially one as personal as Kamu is to us. Stuff like this can be really validating that we are on the right path. With immense gratitude.
What now? Well we've got exciting things ahead - stay tuned on all our updates by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on Instagram. We love having you as part of the Kamu Sauna Community!
THANK YOU! KIITOS PALJON!
Huge thanks to the entire Community of Kimberley BC for honoring us for Kimberley BC's 2023 "Business of the Year Award." Big congrats to all the nominees - Kimberley has such incredible businesses, and we feel so grateful to be in such great company. See you in the sauna soon!
- Juho + Becky Pelkonen
Huge thanks to the entire Community of Kimberley BC for honoring us for Kimberley BC's 2023 "Business of the Year Award." Big congrats to all the nominees - Kimberley has such incredible businesses, and we feel so grateful to be in such great company. See you in the sauna soon!
- Juho + Becky Pelkonen
To see an article by the Kimberley Bulletin about the event, see here.
To learn more about the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce, their members, and all the good work they do, see here.
To learn more about the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce, their members, and all the good work they do, see here.
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Kamu Sauna team
Sauna entrepreneurs, sweat-bathing art/science students + lovers of Finnish culture.
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