The Winter Sauna Ritual: How to Embrace Cold Weather the SaunaCamp Way

Make your sauna extra cozy this winter. A SaunaCamp guide to warmth, ritual and slowing down.

Winter is when the sauna truly shines

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, stepping into a warm, wood-lined sauna feels less like luxury and more like a necessity. But a great sauna experience isn’t about heat, it’s about atmosphere, comfort, and ritual.

Here’s how to turn your winter sauna into the coziest place you’ll want to linger all season long. 

Create a soft, inviting glow

Aim for warm, indirect light that mimics candlelight or a late-afternoon winter sun.

Low-wattage LEDs tucked under benches or behind backrests create a calming glow without overwhelming the space. Salt lamps or lantern-style lights nearby (outside the sauna) can add warmth and ambiance before or after your session.

Cozy cue: If it feels calm enough to slow your breathing, you’ve nailed it.

Let natural scents do the heavy lifting

Scent is one of the most powerful ways to create comfort. In winter, fresh and grounding aromas can make your sauna feel like a forest hideaway.

Classic sauna scents include:

• Eucalyptus for clearing winter airways
• Lavender for relaxation
• Peppermint for a refreshing contrast to the heat

Add a few drops of essential oil to water and gently ladle over the sauna rocks, or lightly scent wooden accessories. Pairing sauna stream with SaunCamp’s all-natural scrubs like ReLax with wild lavender, ReCover with eucalyptus, and ReFresh with peppermint turns your session into a full sensory ritual, combining exfoliation, hydration, and aromatherapy in one. 

Bring in texture for comfort

A cozy sauna isn’t sterile, it’s tactile.

Think:

• plush towels or linen wraps
• wooden headrests or back supports
• natural fiber mats underfoot

Cedar and other soft woods warm quickly and release a subtle scent as they heat, adding another layer of comfort. After you sauna, wrap up in a thick towel or robe to hold onto that warmth just a little longer. 

Add sound (or intentionally skip it)

Some people love silence. Others find gentle sound makes it easier to relax.

Soft instrumental music, crackling fire sounds, or nature audio can deepen the experience, especially during longer winter sessions. If you do add music, keep it low and unobtrusive. The sauna should feel like an escape, not a soundtrack.

Embrace the ritual

Cozy comes from intention, not just temperature. 

Create a simple winter sauna ritual:

1. Warm up slowly
2. Exfoliate with one of our SaunaCamp scrubs to boost circulation
3. Rinse or cool down briefly
4. Return to the heat
5. Rest and hydrate.

This rhythm—heat, care, rest—is what turns a sauna into a grounding winter practice rather than a quick sweat. 

Make the post-sauna moment count

The coziest part of the sauna might actually come after. 

Set up a small recovery space with:

• Warm tea or water
• A blanket or robe
• A comfortable chair
• Time to do nothing