NATURE, HOT,& COLD
Through many years of practice, we have found that incorporating three central elements- nature, hot, and cold - has the greatest overall effect on physical and mental well-being.
1 - Nature
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Snow Angel Hill overlooks neighboring forest and farmland. Before each sauna we take a 1km walk around the property to re-establish a connection to the earth. It is also a great time to feel the environment and acquaint new guests with the area.
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2 - Hot
​Our sauna is located in the downstairs of the main house. It was added in the late 1990s and has been a major feature of the house since then. We burn mostly spruce and poplar that has fallen locally.
3 - Cold
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We have a relaxation room, 2 showers, indoor and outdoor ice-dip options, lots of space to walk and roll in the snow near the house, and a longer trail around the property.
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Nature Walk
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15m Sauna
10m Cold / Rest
X 3 Rounds
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Change
Relax
Snacks
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​Schedule
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When everyone is ready, we start round one of three hot saunas followed by three cold/rest periods.
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Sessions are around 2.5 hours in total.
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Temperatures
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We keep our wood sauna around 80°C and add water to intensify the heat as needed. Our well water sits around 10°C and our dip water ranges from 3°C-6°C. We sauna from mild fall weather around 0°C to mid-winter temperatures -30°C degrees or colder.
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These temperature changes provide the basis for contrast that we use during sauna sessions.
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Guided Orientation​
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We understand this approach can be new to some people, so we offer a guided orientation during the first visit.
A Snow Angel Hill Staff will accompany the group during the first few minutes of Sauna 1 as well as Cold 1 in order to demonstrate progressive and safe ways to push boundaries using hot and cold. After this guests can use the facility as they please provided, they are taking at least 10m breaks between sauna sessions in order to avoid overheating.
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To read a little more about the science behind this approach click below.
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HOW WE SAUNA
FAQ
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What should I bring?
We provide towels and crocs, soap and shampoo, you are welcome to bring your own soaps and bathroom gear, but please do not bring any oils or scrubs inside our sauna. Bring warm clothes and footwear that you can take through the snow when you arrive for a quick tour.
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Is Snow Angel Hill a Spa?
No. SAH is a place to improve health and wellness by slowly increasing exposure to hot and cold. We consider the sauna and cold exposure like a form of exercise and research supports this.​ You will not find facials and massages here, but you will find a warm wood sauna, lots of access to cold water, and hopefully snow to walk and roll in.
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Should I eat before sauna?
We recommend treating sauna like exercise. Make sure you have a light meal at least 2 hours prior but abstain from a big meal near sauna time. You will likely feel hungry after.
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Can I bring water in the sauna?
Yes, but keep in mind water bottles can heat up in the sauna. We recommend you drink plenty of water before the session and drink more water in breaks between sauna sessions.
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Can I take pictures and videos?
No. As much as there is the temptation to document everything in our lives we want to keep SAH a phone-free-zone. We find that the sauna is much more relaxing if you take time away from your devices and focus on the immediacy of the experience. Also, we exist on a private property so we want to respect the privacy of residents. ​
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Should I wear a swimming suit?
This part is optional. We recommend that you wear swimmers for outdoor activities like snow-rolling. :)
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Is sauna safe?
Yes, sauna is safe for most populations provided you stay hydrated, listen to your body, and follow general safety guidelines. In fact, sauna has many health benefits. Read more here.
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Can I bring my children ?
Yes, for all sauna bookings (except Social Sundays) Kids are welcome provided they are older than 10 and have adult supervision during time in the sauna. We encourage families to teach children about body temperature regulation and we find the sauna is a great tool for this.
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Will there be alcohol?
No, due to the risk of dehydration we do not serve alcohol, but we have an assortment of non-alcoholic beer, coffee, tea, and cold water.
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Do I need to shower before entering sauna?
Yes, this keeps everything cleaner, and we ask all guests to have a shower before entering.
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Can I bring essential oils for the sauna?
No. We have many groups using the sauna and we want to preserve the natural smells for the best possible experience.
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I am afraid of cold water; do I need to do an ice dip?
No. There is no pressure to do anything. We do encourage guests to slowly push their limits with cold as we believe this generates the best results. We recommend starting wherever you are and slowly building up tolerance.
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For example: someone very new to cold immersion could start by standing outside after the sauna for a few minutes to cool off and then progress to using a very cold shower. Someone more experienced with cold could go for a snow roll and then jump in the ice bath. We are happy to guide this process.
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Do I need to stay in the sauna for the full 15 minutes if I feel too hot?
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No. We encourage people who feel too hot to sit on the lower bench. If it is still too hot, then they can take rests as needed outside the sauna . Build up your tolerance to heat slowly.
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Will there be snacks?
Yes. There will be drinks offered throughout and a shared plate of snacks at the end of the session. There may be nuts so please let us know if you have any allergies ahead of time.
