Squamish is a town of people who wear themselves out on purpose: granite cracks on the Chief, rooty singletrack, long days in the alpine. A sauna at the end of it is how a lot of locals reset.
Why athletes love the sauna
After a big day, heat simply feels good. A sauna relaxes tight muscles, warms you right through after a cold, wet ride, and slows everything down. The cold plunge between rounds wakes you back up. Lots of athletes say they sleep better and feel looser the next day. We're not going to promise a magic recovery tool, but there's a reason saunas are a fixture in climbing and ski towns around the world.
After climbing
Forearms pumped, fingers raw, shoulders tight from a day on Squamish granite. A sauna is a great way to let your upper body unwind. A few tips:
- Wash your hands first. Chalk and sauna benches don't mix.
- Give fresh cuts and flappers time to close before heat and cold water.
- Gentle stretching between rounds, not in the sauna, feels best.
After mountain biking
Squamish trails are steep, technical and often wet for half the year. After a long ride your legs and lower back take the hit, and in fall and winter you're often soaked and cold. A wood-fired sauna is the fastest way to feel human again.
- Hose down, get out of wet chamois, then sauna.
- Eat something before your first round. Heat on an empty, depleted stomach isn't fun.
- Check yourself for crash bumps and scrapes. If something's swollen, ice it rather than heating it.
After hiking and trail running
Coming down from the Chief, Garibaldi or a long trail run, your quads and calves will thank you for some heat. Keep the first round short if you've been out all day and are low on water.
A simple post-adventure routine
- Refuel and rehydrate first. Water, electrolytes and some food. This matters more than anything else.
- Light the fire. A wood-fired sauna takes a while to come up to temperature, so get it going while you clean up.
- Round one, gentle: 8–10 minutes, lower bench.
- Cool off: cold plunge or a cool rinse, then sit down and rest.
- Two or three more rounds, as long as you feel good.
- Finish with water and an early night.
Know when to skip it
- If you're badly dehydrated, dizzy or have heat exhaustion symptoms.
- On fresh injuries with swelling, where heat may make things worse.
- After drinking.
- If you're pregnant or have a heart or blood pressure condition, check with your doctor first.
For the whole crew
The barrel sauna fits about 8 people, and a 24-hour rental means your crew can sauna after the evening session and again the next morning. Bring a sauna hat so your head doesn't give out before your legs have had enough heat.
Questions
Is a sauna good after climbing or mountain biking?
Many athletes use a sauna to relax and loosen up after a hard day. It feels great on tired muscles and is a good way to wind down. Rehydrate first, and keep sessions moderate when you're already tired.
Should I sauna right after a hard workout?
Give yourself a little time first. Cool down, drink water and eat something, then sauna. Going straight from a long, dehydrating effort into intense heat can leave you light-headed.
Can I book a sauna for a group of climbers or riders?
Yes. The Mamquam Sauna barrel fits about 8 people, and a 24-hour booking means the whole crew can rotate through after a day out.
More reading: Cold Plunge in Squamish: Where to Take the Plunge · Winter in Squamish: 10 Cozy Things to Do