From January 15–18, 2026, we had the privilege of attending the second annual West Coast Sauna Summit, hosted at the stunning Loon Lake Lodge in British Columbia.
Billed as Canada’s only sauna industry gathering, this year’s summit brought together builders, designers, wellness leaders, and sauna entrepreneurs for four days of heat, cold, and meaningful connection . Set in the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, the setting alone was enough to inspire — snow-dusted trees, a quiet mountain lake, and wood-fired saunas humming from morning until night.
The summit is designed as a fully immersive retreat, complete with wood-fired saunas, cold plunges, panels, skillshares, forest walks, and fireside conversations . With accommodation and meals included, it created a space where the sauna community could not just network, but truly live the culture together .
One of the most powerful takeaways was the shared belief that authentic sauna culture in North America is just getting started. As the organizers put it, this is where the future of sauna is being shaped — “on the benches. Sweating together. Learning together.”
For us, coming from Alberta and building saunas in Edmonton’s deep winter climate, it was energizing to connect with others who care deeply about craftsmanship, tradition, and pushing the industry forward with integrity. The conversations around design, cold therapy, community building, and wellness innovation reinforced why we do what we do.
We left Loon Lake inspired — not just by the steam rising off the water at sunrise, but by the people moving sauna culture forward across Canada and beyond.
