Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna Experience
A traditional Finnish smoke sauna is a sauna experience where time seems to slow down. Darkened log walls, gentle heat and the surrounding silence create an atmosphere that is very different from an ordinary sauna.
Karu Lodge’s smoke sauna Susi is set in peaceful surroundings by the pond, in the middle of Lapland nature. From the warmth of the sauna, you can take an optional dip in the icy water and warm up between sauna sessions by the open fire in the cosy fireplace room. On a clear winter evening, the sky may be filled with stars – and, with a little luck, the Northern Lights.
Here, the smoke sauna experience is about slowing down, enjoying the contrast between gentle warmth and tingling cold, and spending an unhurried moment by the fire surrounded by the nature of Lapland.
A Private Smoke Sauna Experience in the Heart of Lapland
Karu Lodge’s smoke sauna Susi is a traditional Finnish smoke sauna located by a private pond. The entire sauna area is reserved exclusively for your own group, allowing you to enjoy the experience peacefully and at your own pace.
The smoke sauna is slowly heated with wood for several hours before your arrival. Washing water is carried in by hand and heated in a wood-fired water cauldron. Once everything is ready, we welcome you, explain how to use the smoke sauna and tell you about its traditions and practical details. After that, the sauna area is yours to enjoy with your own group.
Enjoy the gentle heat of the smoke sauna, cool down in the fresh Lapland air and, if you wish, take a dip in the icy water of the pond. Between sauna sessions, you can relax in the warm fireplace room by the open fire and enjoy an unhurried moment together.
During the sauna experience, you can also enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna snack prepared over the open fire, along with cold drinks and light snacks.
If you wish, you can complete the experience with a traditional warm outdoor hot tub. Sitting in steaming warm water beneath the winter sky offers a wonderful contrast to the icy water and crisp Arctic air. The outdoor hot tub is available as an optional extra.
There are no showers at the smoke sauna. Washing is done in the traditional Finnish way using warm water, a wash basin and a ladle – just as it has been done in smoke saunas for generations.
The sauna area is available for up to 4 hours, so there is no need to rush. You can enjoy the sauna, icy dip, open fire and time together at your own pace.
The experience includes towels, drinking water and sparkling water, a small savoury snack and a traditional Finnish sauna snack prepared over the open fire.
The smoke sauna can be booked as a private experience on its own or combined with one of Karu Lodge’s other Lapland experiences.
Duration: approximately 3–4 hours
Physical level: easy
Group size: the smoke sauna comfortably accommodates around 10 guests at a time.
Price:
€450 per group + €30/person
The price includes private use of the smoke sauna area for up to 4 hours, preparation of the smoke sauna, ice hole, fireplace room and open fire, plus a towel, drinks and a traditional Finnish sauna snack for each guest.
Traditional Finnish outdoor hot tub
+ €250 / group
Children
The smoke sauna experience is also suitable for children who are accustomed to sauna. Children must always be supervised by an adult. Taking an icy dip is completely optional, and for children, the accompanying parent or guardian decides whether they take part.
Young children may join the experience with their family, but a long sauna experience, the heat of the smoke sauna and the changes between warm and cold winter temperatures may not be suitable for the very youngest children.
What’s Included
- private use of the smoke sauna area for your group
- heating and preparation of the smoke sauna
- ice hole
- warm fireplace room and open fire
- towels
- drinking water and sparkling water
- a small savoury snack
- traditional Finnish sauna snack
- guidance on how to use the smoke sauna
A warm outdoor hot tub is available as an optional extra.
What to Bring
Bring a swimsuit if you wish, as well as your own personal washing and hygiene products.
Bringing your own slippers is optional.
Transportation
Transportation to Karu Lodge is not included in the price of the experience. If needed, transportation can be arranged at an additional cost through a local transport provider.
Distances
- Approximately 8 km from Luosto
- Approximately 40 km from Pyhä
- Approximately 35 km from Sodankylä
- Approximately 110 km from Rovaniemi
Taking an icy dip is always optional, and the smoke sauna experience can be fully enjoyed without cold-water swimming.