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Wellness on IceLake Salonkijärvi, Finland
If you think an igloo with a frozen lake for a floor is cool, picture one boasting more than just an icy interior.
This ice-brick structure by Rukan Salonki Chalets conceals a steamy sauna right on top of Lake Salonkijärvi in the heart of Finland.
Illuminated by the reflection of sunlight and ice and heated by a stove, which is only brought inside when guests are there to avoid melting the walls, the ice sauna is one of the most unusual ways you’ll ever get a sweat on.
Warmed to a soft but steamy 60°C, the ice sauna offers more benefits to a spa date than your average steam room. The heat is less aggressive but the humidity is high, causing your body to perspire as soon as you enter. It also promises relief to those with breathing issues and colds.
Up to 10 people can enter the igloo at once, and when it’s time to simmer down, custom dictates you plunge into a hole in the ice for a shrivelling winter swim.
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