How to use a sauna tent in winter – Tips for Nordic climate

Taking a sauna bath in the middle of winter is something truly special – imagine sitting in the warmth while the snow sparkles outside! With a sauna tent, you can take that experience wherever you want, even in the cold Nordic climate. But winter comes with its challenges, like snow, cold, and frost. In this post, we share our best tips for using a sauna tent in winter, so you can enjoy a cozy and safe sauna session – no matter how cold it is outside.

1. Choose the right spot for your sauna tent: 
   When setting up your sauna tent in winter, it's important to consider the ground. Try to find a spot that is as level as possible, and shovel away snow if needed. If the ground is frozen, it might be smart to use a fabric floor or lay out decking under the tent to protect it and provide some extra insulation against the cold. Avoid setting up the tent under tree branches that may be weighed down by snow – you don't want to risk snow falling and damaging the tent.
2. Support the tent against snow:
   One thing many forget is that snow can become heavy, especially if it snows a lot while the tent is set up. To prevent your sauna tent from collapsing under the weight of the snow, you need to support it properly. Use extra tent pegs and tighten the guy lines well so the tent stands stable. If you know it will snow a lot, you can use a support to reinforce the roof from the inside so the structure doesn't collapse due to the snow's weight. Hott Sauna's sauna tents are made to withstand Nordic winters, but a little extra caution never hurts when the snow falls!
   
   
   Here you can see an example of when the tent's roof has collapsed due to the weight of snow when no support was used.
   
3. Keep the stove efficient in the cold
   The wood-fired stove is the heart of your sauna tent, but the cold can make it a bit more challenging to get the heat going. Start by using dry wood – damp wood burns worse and creates more smoke. Store the wood in a dry place before lighting, and feel free to bring newspaper or firelighters to get the fire going quickly. When the stove is running, make sure the chimney is free from snow and ice so the smoke can escape properly. Hott Sauna's stoves are designed to provide even heat even in subzero temperatures, so you can easily get a comfortable sauna temperature in no time.
4. Dress smart for winter sauna
   Going from the cold outside to the warmth inside the sauna tent is a wonderful contrast, but it requires some planning. Bring warm clothes to wear before and after the sauna session – a thick jacket, hat, and gloves are a must. Also bring a pair of slippers or shoes that can handle snow, so your feet don't get cold when you step outside. The slippers are also good to use inside the tent since the ground cools from underneath. So even if the sauna is warm, it will be colder right at the floor.
   Also don't forget to bring a bucket of water to create steam – it makes the sauna even more enjoyable in the winter cold!
5. Insulate for extra warmth
   A sauna tent is already designed to retain heat, but in really cold temperatures you can do a few simple things to insulate even better. We recommend using the included insulating window patches. Windows leak more heat than the insulating walls, so to sauna at -30 degrees, good insulation is important and as little heat as possible should escape. 
6. Safety tips for winter sauna
   Safety is always important, but in winter you need to be extra careful. Keep a bucket of snow or water nearby in case you need to extinguish the fire quickly. Make sure the stove stands firmly on a fireproof surface, and avoid leaving the fire unattended. If you sauna in a group, make sure everyone knows how to enter and exit the tent without tipping the stove. Hott Sauna's sauna tents are built with safety in mind, but it's always good to be cautious.
7. Make it cozy – winter sauna is magical!
   There is something magical about taking a sauna in winter. To make the experience even better, if you sauna in the evening, bring a headlamp or battery-powered lights to create atmosphere (but never candles inside the tent). The stove often has a glass window which creates a cozy glow inside the sauna. With a sauna tent from Hott Sauna, you can create those unforgettable winter memories, whether you're at the cabin or out in the forest.

Using a sauna tent in winter is not only possible – it's an amazing experience! With the right preparations, you can enjoy the warmth and relaxation even when it's cold outside. Our sauna tents are made to withstand the Nordic climate, so you can feel safe regardless of the weather. 

Check out our range of sauna tents here