anada’s sauna and cold plunge culture is gaining serious momentum—and Indigenous-owned experiences are leading the way. These aren’t just wellness trends. They’re rooted in tradition, land, and ceremony, offering deep, restorative escapes that feel as grounding as they are invigorating.
As more Canadians seek to slow down, tune in, and reconnect—with themselves, with nature, and with culture—the rise of hot-cold therapy has emerged as a modern ritual with ancient roots. This is wellness that goes beyond surface-level relaxation. It’s about renewal, clarity, and connection.
Rooted in Ancestral Wisdom
Indigenous healing traditions, including the use of sweat lodges, have long embraced the power of heat as a path to spiritual cleansing and physical healing. Today’s Indigenous-led sauna and cold plunge experiences draw inspiration from those practices—blending cultural knowledge with the natural elements in ways that feel both timeless and timely.
Nowhere is this more powerful than in British Columbia, where the Pacific Ocean itself becomes the ultimate cold plunge, and the forest-lined coasts offer space to breathe, reflect, and restore.
We’ve rounded up some of BC’s must-visit Indigenous-owned sauna and cold plunge experiences—destinations that deserve a top spot on every wellness traveler’s bucket list.
🌊 Klahoose Wilderness Resort
After a day immersed in nature—grizzly bear sightings, orcas gliding past, and quiet moments on the water—guests can wind down in the wood-fired cedar sauna overlooking the sea. Then, for the bold and the brave, a plunge into the ocean completes the ritual. This remote eco-resort seamlessly blends luxury with land-based wellness in the heart of Klahoose territory.
♨️ Ahous Adventures – Hot Springs Eco-Tour
This guided eco-tour takes you into the heart of Ahousaht territory, where natural geothermal springs bubble up from the earth and pour into forest-framed rock pools. Soak in the healing mineral waters, then take the plunge into the cold Pacific below. Between the thermal contrast, the wildlife, and the cultural storytelling woven throughout the experience, it’s unforgettable.
🌿 Rain Wellness
Rain Wellness offers a contemporary take on thermal therapy, infused with technology and Indigenous values of balance and harmony. The sauna uses Solocarbon Full Spectrum infrared waves—near, mid, and far—to target everything from muscle tension to cellular recovery. Add Acoustic Resonance Therapy, which combines sound and vibration to deepen the experience, and you’ve got a truly holistic reset for body and mind.
Why It Matters
These Indigenous-led wellness spaces aren’t just places to relax—they’re portals to something deeper. They remind us that true healing happens in relationship: with the land, with heritage, and with self. As hot-cold therapy continues to trend, these destinations offer something far more meaningful than a fleeting Instagram moment—they offer real restoration, grounded in culture and guided by community.
