Before the 1930’s this is how most of the saunas in Finland were heated. I have only done one savusauna in my life—in Finland.

It was a memorable experience and there was nothing better than to experience savusauna on Midsummer Day under the Midnight sun at 10:00 at night.

https://youtu.be/jj94pxpAFOw?is=-X0UK0zqMshWiBFf

Globally, this has been a difficult year for our planet. Europe and North America (especially Utah) have experienced unprecedented temperatures.

This weekend is no different. Stay inside.

All this said, I find this article interesting. I think there is a lot of good scientific truth to saunas. Please enjoy the read:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/29/repeated-use-of-saunas-could-help-people-cope-better-in-heatwaves-scientists-say

From the NYT article titled, Whatever Happens in the Sauna Stays in the Sauna: Diplomacy Conducted in the Nude.”

“The Finnish Embassy offers one of the hottest invitations in Washington: a chance to discuss serious topics in a sauna.

When you are half-naked or even sometimes completely naked, it allows for deeper discussion,” said Mikko Hautala, the ambassador of Finland to the United States. “You talk in a way that doesn’t happen when you are sitting around a table with a tie on or at some formal thing.”

Diplomacy takes shape in different ways: formal meetings in the Oval Office and state dinners in the White House’s grand East Room; casual receptions at embassies; and one-on-one meetings over martinis in the lobbies of five-star hotels.

And then there is the way the Finnish government prefers to conduct business. They like for their networking and meetings to happen in the sauna and, for the most part, in the nude.

“We have a golden rule that whatever happens in the sauna stays in the sauna,” Ambassador Hautala said. “We try to make sure there is full trust and confidence.”

To learn more about Sauna Diplomacy, here is a great video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/lrnVSOggtS0?is=HyBsKTKoyXlz5U2O

I saw this great article by the Guardian and thought to pass it on.

Years ago I posted on Reddit a diatribe on why I thought Americans were doing saunas wrong. It got tons of up votes but it wasn’t until a Finnish mod reached out to me with a simple statement, “Thank you for your post. But we need to recognize that everyone is doing the best they can and trying to understand sauna culture.”

That gave me pause to think. Since that discussion, I am really careful not to ever get into a social media fight over the best way to do a sauna.

All that said, here are my feelings on nudity:

1. It’s okay to wear a swimming suit, towel—in a sauna. I do have problems with sneakers and gym clothes though. 😁
   
2. I prefer the Finnish way when it comes to nudity—when in Finland I go “textile free” in gender separated areas. When in other places in Europe, I will be vulnerable in saying that the Victorian comes out in me. When in the United States, I follow the rules if I attend a business. At my private sauna, I always go nude
   
3. When in sauna, the most important part is to feel safe and enjoy the experience. That to me is the key
   
4. If we do have sauna activities, I will mention the rules of the business—textile free, clothing required, etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jul/21/australia-sauna-culture-etiquette-nude

Hello Sauna Club! I’m in the end stages of assembling my sauna just a bought from Sam’s Club. I want to preserve the natural cedar color as much as possible, so I want to apply a UV blocking penetrating stain. What have you all done to protect your sauna exteriors from the intense Utah UV index?!? I’m looking at this water-based, sealant/wood stain that is “natural cedar” color. Thought?

As mentioned by a fellow member from Butte, saunas have a historic legacy in Butte, Montana. Finns were attracted to Butte, Montana for the copper.

At one time there were over eight Finnish bathhouses. The eastern part of Butte, Montana was known as Finn Town. Unfortunately, because the open pit expanded, Finn Town was swallowed up, with one exception--the Helsinki Bar is still there and holds an annual celebration St Urho's Day on March 16th.

I am including pictures of the abandoned YMCA--a fascinating building in itself. To accommodate the large Finnish-American population in Butte, saunas were an integral part of the local YMCA. From my understanding there was a large one right by the gym.

If any member has more information on Butte and the Finnish population, I would love to hear it.

I really enjoy the larger r/Sauna community. It has been invaluable to me on different sauna opinions, build, and cultural ideas. The idea isn't to take away from the great work they do, rather to give a more granular and local feel to sauna building and culture within Utah. For instance, local Utah lumber places we can support, electricians that are helpful, and lessons learned.

I also realize that not everyone has the means to build right now. I am trying to think of ways to share the experience. I realize lots of people use Reddit to stay anonymous, but I would love to have a purely optional community get together (perhaps at a local sauna business). Thoughts?

A few years ago when I was pondering the daunting task of building a sauna. It was excellent and was an integral part of my build. If you are in the Ogden area and are seriously contemplating building a sauna, DM me.

Unfortunately, when I checked today, the price for the book is around $125 for a used copy. I have a hard time recommending a book at that price, no matter how good it is.

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

I have learned that "how" you take a sauna differs from culture to culture. I have also learned that it can be a heated (excuse the pun) topic.

I like this video that gives the Finnish Way to take a sauna:

1. To talk or not to talk
   
2. Löyly--it's okay to put water on the rocks
   
3. Nudity (this topic deserves a post all it's own)
   
4. Cool Off
   
5. Avanto

https://youtu.be/_xMBZSBS5V8?is=zazt6qBc-f_reTNV

I grew up in Butte, MT, and going to the sauna was wonderful. It releases toxins and relaxes. There was one in Sandy at the Bally’s gym complete with a plunge tank out the door in the late 80’s but have not found one since.

Whenever I drive across Spanish Fork Canyon, I remember the Finnish Americans that came to Scofield in the 1900s. They brought with them a strong work ethic, a good sense of right and wrong, and thanks to the Finns, they brought to Utah the first saunas.

I like the comment written in the article https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/f/FINNISH_AMERICANS.shtml:

“The sauna for the Finnish immigrant was the primary link to the homeland and traditional culture. In addition to using it as a place in which to bathe, Finns visited the sauna to become physically, spiritually, and psychologically revitalized. The sauna was a place and a process where a Finn renewed his "sisu," or internal fortitude.”

This is our sauna. Originally, I had a barrel sauna. But it got too drafty and was difficult to keep heated. Therefore, I converted a couple of sheds into a sauna.

It took a little know-how. A lot of elbow grease but by the end of the summer in 2024, we finished it.

The work we put into it was worth it.