Laura Oakes' One Cool Thing: 612 Sauna Society
This week, Laura Oakes introduces you to a Scandinavian way to take on our winter weather!
Q: Hey Laura---what's your One Cool Thing for this snowy, bone-chilling weekend?
A: How does a nice, hot, mobile sauna in a beautiful, snow-covered Twin Cities park grab ya? The 612 Sauna Society has its cozy, Finnish-style, wood-burning sauna trailer parked at Theodore Wirth Park in Golden Valley this weekend. You can purchase a pass package online, or just drop-in. Drop-ins are $25 for 90 minutes, which also gets you access to the beautiful Trail Head chalet at Theodore Wirth Park, a seat at the fire, and s'mores!
Q: Tell us about the recent rise in so-called "sauna culture" that seems to be going on here.
A: Minnesotans are no strangers to the sauna experience. A lot of folks have saunas at their cabins or even in their basements. The sauna culture was most common among the Finns who settled on Minnesota's Iron Range and brought this tradition over from their homeland...often combining a hot session in the sauna with a jump in an ice cold lake for a little extra invigoration. It's also part of the "hygge" trend...a Scandinavian tendency for things that make us feel warm and cozy in order to get through the long winter months. Not to mention the many proven health benefits of sauna bathing.
Q: What is the 612 Sauna Society?
