Hidden Gem: Savu Madbush Falls
This is what they mean by forest bathing, right?
If you haven’t experienced the magic of a Finnish sauna, book this immediately.
It’s actually hard to find a true Finnish sauna in the US, in my experience. So many places market their dry saunas as “Finnish”—something that I’m sure infuriates our Nordic friends.
To get the real experience, you need löyly (aka steam).
And I am so, so happy to report that Savu’s popup sauna in Madbush Falls, Vermont checks the boxes for authenticity and aesthetics.
A Very Brief History of Finnish Sauna
Sauna culture in Finland is thought to date back as far as 7,000 BC. Most homes have a private sauna, but you can find public, social saunas across the country (try Löyly if you’re in Helsinki!).
Today, almost 90% of Finns take a sauna at least once a week, according to National Geographic. An important component of the sauna culture is alternating extreme heat with extreme cold (more on that below).
Finnish saunas tend to be simple without the add-ons you’d find at your typical spa. They are quiet places meant to relax, reset, and connect. No wonder they’ve been named the happiest country in the world seven years in a row.
As someone who comes from a cold, snowy city, I am begging for Buffalo to jump on this bandwagon.
Ok, What Are The Benefits?
Short exposure to passive, high heat is believed to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, limit stress, and boost the immune system, among other things. The Mayo Clinic agrees, citing the benefits of combining regular sauna sessions with exercise.
Alternating sauna heat with a cold plunge is thought to improve circulation, as well as reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
To me, the biggest benefit is stress reduction. Paired with the final piece of the puzzle—rest—you can’t help but feel relaxed after a sauna cycle.
And a sauna in a scenic setting is the cherry on top.
Savu Experience
Spoiler: I loved it. It’s an experience perfectly designed for me, so it would have been hard not to (although the concurrent Bills game tried to bring me down).
Checking In
Savu designs small-scale, private saunas, and the company has opened three popups around Vermont for those who don’t have the room (or money) for their own sauna at home.
The Madbush Falls location is set up behind the Madbush Falls restaurant and hotel. Park all the way in the back and walk around the building to the right to a small porch with a couple of chairs and a door.
There’s a small check-in desk, two changing areas, and a bathroom down the hall. It isn’t a full spa, and they do ask you to bring your own towels. But you can rent robes at the desk, add on aromatherapy, or borrow sandals.
It was $70 for an hour in a private sauna for two people. Additional people (the sauna can fit up to 6) are $30 each and an extra hour will cost you $60. They also host a community hour every Monday for $25 if you’re local.
There are two saunas at this location and both have an entryway to store your things. A pitcher of water is provided complimentary.
The Ritual
Savu recommends following a ritual of sweat, plunge, rest, repeat.
We poured a few ladles full of water on the hot stones and stayed in the 197° F sauna for just over 10 minutes (the heat needs to be above 180° F to be effective).
Then we grabbed our towels to head down the wooded path to the cold plunge.
Did I mention the cold plunge is Madbush Falls?
The staff estimated the water temperature to be in the low 50s, so it was a shocking transition wading into the pool below the falls.
But also so beautiful. If you can tough it out for a minute or two, you’ll come out feeling more alive than you have in years.
Then, it was time to relax and listen to the sounds of the woods in the chairs outside our sauna. We got a glass of water and let our heart rate reset for a good 10-15 minutes before repeating the ritual.
The hour was perfect for two full cycles, plus a little extra relaxing time.
Is It Worth It?
I would 100% do this again the next time I’m in Vermont. I thought the price was fair and the experience was minimal, yet so scenic and relaxing.
One note from my fiancé: he wished it was quicker to get into the cold plunge. You do need to walk over rocks and wade your way into the water. If you are especially sensitive to cold, water shoes should help you get into the water faster and adjust easier to the cold temperatures. Or you can skip the cold plunge and go straight to the resting stage.
All in all, I think the Finns would approve of this one.
Sounds so cool. What an experience!!