Finnish Smoke Sauna, Ice Hole & Hot Tub with Lapland Flavours
A traditional Finnish smoke sauna is an experience where time seems to slow down. Darkened log walls, gentle heat, icy water and the surrounding silence create a feeling that is very different from an ordinary sauna.
At Karu Lodge’s smoke sauna Susi, your group has the whole experience to yourselves. Move between the gentle heat of the smoke sauna, a refreshing dip in the ice hole and the warmth of the outdoor hot tub, then relax by the open fire in the cosy log fireplace room.
The evening is completed with a generous Lapland Sauna Board featuring local flavours such as reindeer, gravlax, cheeses, breads, berries and traditional sweet treats, served with refreshing drinks. On a clear winter evening, the stars – and sometimes even the Northern Lights – may appear above the pond.
This is an unhurried Lapland evening built around warmth, cold, fire, local flavours and time together in peaceful surroundings.
A Smoke Sauna Evening in the Heart of Lapland
Karu Lodge’s smoke sauna Susi is a traditional Finnish smoke sauna set by Karu Lodge’s own pond in peaceful Lapland surroundings. The entire sauna area is reserved exclusively for your group, giving you time and space to enjoy the experience without rushing.
The smoke sauna is slowly heated with wood for several hours before your arrival. Washing water is carried in and heated in a traditional wood-fired water cauldron. When you arrive, we welcome you to the sauna, explain how to use a traditional smoke sauna and introduce you to the practical details of the experience.
Then the evening is yours.
Move between the gentle heat of the smoke sauna, the crisp Arctic air and, if you wish, a refreshing dip in the ice hole. Warm up in the outdoor hot tub beneath the Lapland sky, or spend time by the open fire in the cosy log fireplace room between sauna sessions.
The experience is designed to be enjoyed slowly. There is no schedule to follow from one activity to another – you can sauna, swim, relax in the hot tub, sit by the fire and spend time together at your own pace.
Food is an important part of the evening.
A generous Lapland Sauna Board is prepared for your group and served in the fireplace room. The board brings together northern and Finnish flavours with a selection that may include cold-smoked reindeer, gravlax, reindeer sausage, cheeses, breads and rieska, spreads, cloudberry and lingonberry preserves, pickles, fresh fruit, traditional kampanisu pastries and chocolate.
Reindeer sausage can also be roasted over the open fire for those who would like to enjoy it in the traditional way.
The experience includes water, blueberry juice, sparkling water, coffee and tea.
The exact selection may vary slightly according to season and availability while keeping the same generous style and Lapland-inspired character.
There are no showers at Susi.
Washing is done in the traditional Finnish smoke-sauna way using warm water, a wash basin and a ladle. This is part of the authentic character of the experience and the way people have washed in smoke saunas for generations.
Taking an icy dip is always optional. The smoke sauna, hot tub, fireplace room and the rest of the experience can be fully enjoyed without cold-water swimming.
On a clear winter evening, you may also see the stars above the pond – and sometimes even the Northern Lights. As always in Lapland, natural phenomena depend entirely on weather and cannot be guaranteed.
- exclusive use of the smoke sauna area for your group
- traditional wood-heated smoke sauna
- preparation and heating of the sauna before arrival
- ice hole in the pond
- warm outdoor hot tub
- warm log fireplace room
- open fire
- towels
- generous Lapland Sauna Board
- water, blueberry juice and sparkling water
- coffee and tea
- introduction and guidance on using the traditional smoke sauna
Duration: approximately 3–4 hours
Physical level: easy
Group size: up to 10 guests
€190 per person
Minimum charge: €1,140 per group
Groups of fewer than six guests are warmly welcome; the minimum charge of €1,140 applies.
The package is designed as a complete experience, with the smoke sauna, ice hole, outdoor hot tub, towels, Lapland Sauna Board and drinks all included.
Children who are accustomed to sauna are welcome to join the experience and must always be supervised by an adult.
Taking an icy dip is completely optional, and parents or guardians decide whether children take part. Please keep in mind that the heat of the smoke sauna and the changes between warm and cold winter temperatures may not be suitable for very young children.
Bring a swimsuit if you wish to use one, together with your personal washing and hygiene products.
Bringing your own slippers is optional.
If you would like to combine the smoke sauna evening with another Karu Lodge experience or arrange something special for your group, please contact us through the enquiry form. We are happy to explore a tailored experience depending on availability.
Transportation to Karu Lodge is not included.
If needed, transportation can be arranged separately through a local transport provider.
Distances from Karu Lodge:
- approximately 8 km from Luosto (about 10 min by car)
- approximately 40 km from Pyhä (about 35 min by car)
- approximately 35 km from Sodankylä (about 30 min by car)
- approximately 110 km from Rovaniemi (about 90 min by car)