Where to Get Your Sauna-Cold Plunge Fix Across Canada

Modern wellness comes in many forms, but one of the most prevalent these days is the hot-cold circuit. Sure, sweating to detoxify and relax the body is nothing new—and neither is the idea of using extreme cold to give the body a surge of energy. But what is fresh, and still gaining popularity across the country, is the luxury wellness studio providing both practices in a swish environment complete with good design and hot—pun intended—people. There are numerous noteworthy places from coast to coast; here are a few of note. 

Mist Thermal Sanctuary (Bowen Island, BC) 

Tucked away on sleepy Bowen Island—accessed by a 20-minute ferry ride from Vancouver—Mist has a small handful of private cabins sitting pretty in the quiet forest. Each one comes equipped with an indoor tea and seating area, an outdoor shower (with eucalyptus mist, naturally), a wood-fired sauna (and selection of aromatic essential oils for adding to the hot rocks), two cold-plunge tubs of varying temperatures, and an open-air lounge complete with cozy blankets and a crackling fire. Each booking is completely private, available for couples or close friends to enjoy quality time together amongst the towering trees and whispering ferns. An ideal afternoon getaway for just about anyone. 

Bota Bota (Montreal, QC) 

Located on a boat anchored in Montreal’s Old Port, Bota Bota combines traditional day-spa offerings like massages and facials with an elaborate and luxurious water circuit made up of saunas, steam baths, cold baths and showers, and relaxation areas. The views of the harbour are themselves worth the price of admission, but so is the feeling you’ll get from a few rounds in the circuit: equal parts energized and utterly relaxed. 

Othership (Toronto, ON) 

Photo by Graydon Harriott.

In the realm of swish sauna studios, this is arguably the one that started it all. Othership began in Toronto and now has two locations in the city, plus another two in New York. The programming here is varied, from self-guided sessions to sober evening socials, plus a handful of special events including couples’ nights and DJ takeovers. Those who visit Othership religiously (and it is, in many ways, a form of church) love it for its immersive music, swank design, and welcoming staff. 

Thermea Spa Village (Winnipeg, MB) 

Thermea Spa Village might be located in Winnipeg, but it feels like its own little world. Guests have an expansive property to explore, including a drinks lounge and multiple restaurants—and, of course, a sauna, warm pools, and cold water dips, plus firepits for relaxing in a cozy robe. Be sure not to miss one of Thermea’s guided Aufguss rituals, which pairs high heat with aromatherapy and meditation. 

Evolve (Moncton, NB) 

Moncton, New Brunswick’s Evolve combines aesthetics services—everything from manicures to reflexology—and a European-inspired thermal spa including steam room, traditional Finnish sauna, cold plunges (both tubs and buckets), and a salt relaxation room. Refuel from all of that lounging with a selection of warm teas, cold smoothies, and light bites from the curated in-house menu. 

Tevah Wellness (Vancouver, BC) 

Tevah stands out in Vancouver’s crowded sauna market for its relaxed approach to wellness. Nothing is overly woo-woo here, but the sauna portion of each experience includes a guided breathwork session to relax and open the mind. It’s just enough spirit-body connection to get in the mood, but not so much that it feels disingenuous. The space itself is beautiful, with curved archways, backlit corners, and soothing neutrals giving it a calming aura from check-in through to cold-plunge. 

Scandinave Spa (Mont Tremblant, QC) 

This beloved thermal spa in Quebec’s famed ski town offers a varied mix of hot and cold options, including steam rooms, dry saunas, hot tubs, chilly dips, and recline areas. There’ssomething about the mountains that makes the experience to the next level, equally as magnificent in the snowy winter as it is in the bright summer. Perhaps best of all, Scandinavepurposefully does not offer WiFi, meaning you’ll be forced to disconnect. Talk about true bliss. 

Feature image by Graydon Harriott.