Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna, Ice Hole & Hot Tub with Lapland Sauna Board

Karu Lodge’s smoke sauna Susi is a traditional Finnish smoke sauna set by Karu Lodge’s own pond in peaceful Lapland surroundings. The entire sauna area is reserved exclusively for your group, giving you time and space to enjoy the experience without rushing.

The smoke sauna is slowly heated with wood for several hours before your arrival. Washing water is carried in and heated in a traditional wood-fired water cauldron. When you arrive, we welcome you to the sauna, explain how to use a traditional smoke sauna and introduce you to the practical details of the experience.

Then the evening is yours.

Move between the gentle heat of the smoke sauna, the crisp Arctic air and, if you wish, a refreshing dip in the ice hole. Warm up in the outdoor hot tub beneath the Lapland sky, or spend time by the open fire in the cosy log fireplace room between sauna sessions.

The experience is designed to be enjoyed slowly. There is no schedule to follow from one activity to another – you can sauna, swim, relax in the hot tub, sit by the fire and spend time together at your own pace.

Lapland Sauna Board

Food is an important part of the evening.

A generous Lapland Sauna Board is prepared for your group and served in the fireplace room. The board brings together northern and Finnish flavours with a selection that may include cold-smoked reindeer, gravlax, reindeer sausage, cheeses, breads and rieska, spreads, cloudberry and lingonberry preserves, pickles, fresh fruit, traditional kampanisu pastries and chocolate.

Reindeer sausage can also be roasted over the open fire for those who would like to enjoy it in the traditional way.

The experience includes water, blueberry juice, sparkling water, coffee and tea.

The exact selection may vary slightly according to season and availability while keeping the same generous style and Lapland-inspired character.

Traditional Smoke Sauna

There are no showers at Susi.

Washing is done in the traditional Finnish smoke-sauna way using warm water, a wash basin and a ladle. This is part of the authentic character of the experience and the way people have washed in smoke saunas for generations.

Taking an icy dip is always optional. The smoke sauna, hot tub, fireplace room and the rest of the experience can be fully enjoyed without cold-water swimming.

On a clear winter evening, you may also see the stars above the pond – and sometimes even the Northern Lights. As always in Lapland, natural phenomena depend entirely on weather and cannot be guaranteed.

The experience includes

• exclusive use of the smoke sauna area for your group
• traditional wood-heated smoke sauna
• preparation and heating of the sauna before arrival
• ice hole in the pond
• warm outdoor hot tub
• warm log fireplace room
• open fire
• towels
• generous Lapland Sauna Board
• water, blueberry juice and sparkling water
• coffee and tea
• introduction and guidance on using the traditional smoke sauna
• pickup and return transportation from a hotel in central Luosto when needed, for up to 8 guests

Duration: approximately 3–4 hours
Physical level: easy
Group size: up to 10 guests

Children

Children who are accustomed to sauna are welcome to join the experience and must always be supervised by an adult.

Taking an icy dip is completely optional, and parents or guardians decide whether children take part. Please keep in mind that the heat of the smoke sauna and hot tub, as well as the changes between warm and cold winter temperatures, may not be suitable for very young children.

What to Bring

Bring a swimsuit if you wish to use one, together with your personal washing and hygiene products.

Bringing your own slippers or sandals is optional.

Add more to your evening

If you would like to combine the smoke sauna evening with another Karu Lodge experience or arrange something special for your group, please contact us through the enquiry form. We are happy to explore a tailored experience depending on availability.

Transportation

Pickup and return transportation from a hotel in central Luosto are included when needed for up to 8 guests. The exact pickup location and time will be confirmed with the booking.

For groups of more than 8 guests, or for guests requiring transportation from outside central Luosto, transfers can be arranged separately at an additional cost through a local transport provider.

Guests are also welcome to arrive at Karu Lodge with their own car. Free parking is available on site.

Distances from Karu Lodge

• approximately 8 km from Luosto, about 10 minutes by car
• approximately 40 km from Pyhä, about 35 minutes by car
• approximately 35 km from Sodankylä, about 30 minutes by car
• approximately 110 km from Rovaniemi, about 90 minutes by car