Trying Ice Swimming and Finnish Saunas in Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮

Country #7 is FINLAND! Our very first stop was Helsinki, Finland, where we decided to give both ice swimming and a traditional Finnish sauna a try. The Finns are known for mixing hot sauna sessions with freezing polar plunges (or rolling in the snow), and after a very nervous and sleepless night, we took on the challenge. The exhilarating day was concluded with a nice treat of fire-roasted sausages doused in mustard, in true Finnish tradition. Finland is off to an amazing start, and we can’t wait to continue venturing through the country. 🇫🇮
Follow along to see where we head next.
We booked our experience with Villa Furuvik: villafuruvik.fi
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[@TheScreamingBeagle]

I did not see anyone comment on this fact so maybe a Finn needs to point that out :D So the bubbles (oxygen feed) in the ice swimming hole are actually set to keep the surface ice open longer (especially in the north where it is colder) as the "pool/dipping hole" freezes almost immediately shut when you leave it unattended. Also a fun fact is that we often use chainsaws to cut the hole in the ice where we can dip in. If the ice is shallow enough for us to be able to cut it with a regular blade chainsaw, that is. Most of us don't own lumberjack long blade saws these days, but I'd say that 95% of all lakeside cottage owners have a regular chainsaw. If one does not own a chainsaw, the usually we use the ice drills (kaira in Finnish) that are used to create small ice fishing holes, and then cut straight lines with a regular hand saw between the drilled holes to create a bigger open surface in the icy water.

[@kimpihl]

Näin juuri mutta ajattelin että en kirjoittaisi pitempiä liiruja vaan kävin kiinni aamutakki- saunomiseen ja ihmettelyyn pakkasessa ennen veteen menemistä!

[@anttipaas1682]

Torille

[@veli-pekkamalmi5546]

Jos avantoon on menossa ni ei siinä paljoa ihmetellä. Tuliset löylyt ja sit on mukava mennä jääveteen.

[@theaustralianfinnivlog]

Good one! And I would suggest going straight from the sauna to the ice lake, dip a couple of times with a meditational mind and go back to sauna. It's a wonder they didn't lose their toes! haha! Brave they are....

[@DerMacko]

yeahhh keeping the water flowing/circulating prevents the hole from freezing up, nice warm (4c) water donw there..... gotta bring it up.....

[@koirrah5986]

I'm a Finn and I do ice swim almost daily. One should start swimming early autumn. This way you get used to cold and it ain't that bad. Most of the days I swim without sauna. It takes just 5min of the day and makes a huge difference. No matter how bad day, after avanto everything feels better.

[@hammothw4814]

what is your strategy for getting out, you use a towel to dry off, or use a 'change robe'? what is the common practice in Finland. (i will need to dry, change, then walk 5 minutes to my car)

[@pvahanen]

@@hammothw4814 We have a saying in Finland. "everyone goes in their own style" The soles of my feet are too cold, so I always wear sandals.

[@pvahanen]

@@hammothw4814 Ex-ambassador Bruce Oreck talks about Finnishness "Bruce Oreck has an unusual sauna experience" on youtube video.

[@rikuruohomaki3230]

Your video was just something random that appeared in my KZbin recommendations. As a Finn, first of all, I want to congratulate you on having the "sisu" (guts, perseverance, resilience, courage, determination...) to do what I, and a lot of people like me, don't have the courage to do, ice swimming. Some Finns swear by it, most are afraid to even try it. I wish you the best with your KZbin channel ;-)

[@NuMountain]

I really appreciated this nice episode where you try our dear country neighbors sauna tradition. I'm Swedish and like to step on myself when there's an opportunity. But no one beats the Finns when it comes to their sauna habits. I have also rolled in snow a number of times and it is a fantastic contrast between heat and cold and back to the heat of the sauna. It gives an incredibly invigorating feeling throughout the body and you feel so relaxed afterwards. Want to tell you about a pretty killer story when we were a bunch of guys. We were about twenty years old and of course triggered each other to roll in snow, after maybe drinking a few too many beers. What we didn't know was that there was ice crust under the powder snow. We got small cuts on our skin that weren't noticed until we got back into the humid heat. Well. Soon it looked like we were involved in a serious accident. The blood flowed all over our bodies. It was still a nice experience even if it looked a little scary.

[@enot1k_maks]

I think Finland is one of my favorite countries and my favorite city there is Levi I travel by car (I'm from Moscow)

[@misspetiepie5347]

That was so much fun. Loved the saunas and dipping pool. I really felt you captured the Finnish energy in this snapshot of their culture….and the sausage and mustard was a great foodie moment. Perfect. Thank you

[@jor.3224]

Got rid of my migraine headaches once I started regular ice dippings. Truly truly amazing.

[@nancyryan371]

The two of you are a joy to watch. Thank you!

[@katzinn7189]

I don't interact with your videos a lot, but I've been following your journey since you were in the van and I just want you to know how inspiring you are! Thank you so much! Happy travels!

[@ChadandClaire]

Thanks for stopping by! Glad our shenanigans are inspiring to you 😁😂

[@MYTravelBF]

Ice swimming looks excruciating, yet definitely something we'd do! We can't wait to see more about Finland as it's a country that's on our list to visit!

[@aahpuuh]

My father says it feels like a hundred nails are hitting your skin everywhere, yet can't confirm as I've never tried it. Good luck!

[@Spartacus11]

It feels nice, certainly a shock to the body at first but having a Sauna helps. Rolling in the snow after a sauna is great too, but the really awesome feeling comes when you go back to the sauna after rolling in snow. Then your entire body feels prickly and you can feel the blood just rushing through your body. Hard feeling to describe, but it feels great lol.

[@cassu6]

@@aahpuuh I can see that, but in a good way

[@jackdanielsiv9329]

When taking an ice swim/bath, first try to practise/prepare proper breathing, out and in slowly and let the cold take over you. This way you can stay there for a lot longer time and actually kinda enjoy it

[@unknownentity8256]

Yes it's like acupuncture therapy x10000000 Edit: Or as we like to call it, heat & cold shock therapy.

[@loissage3630]

Your synchronized putting on of warm gear was sooo adorable.

[@annierivers1275]

Oh my goodness! I am shivering!! You are brave. It is great to see you.

[@holleym2927]

OMG!!! My favorite part was when y'all rolled in the snow!!!! LOL!!!! I have to say, this was very brave! I think I wouldn't have slept the night before either! It looks like an absolutely beautiful country! Great drone shots, Chad! I could use some of that peace!

[@TinyPlaneProduction]

Ice swimming scene is too awesome, was laughing and equally worrying for you guys! Great video as always ♥️

[@bocatampere]

Thank you so much. Great to see you tryin’ sauna and ice dipping 🔥❤️🇫🇮

[@susanbrowell9925]

Another great video. I can't believe you rolled in the snow! Now you've got me craving sausages with mustard.

[@debbiegallardo9853]

Totally beautiful video. I applaud u guys for doing ice swimming. Thank u for sharing your sauna and ice dipping experienced. I love all your videos . Stay safe❤️

[@debbief7276]

I found this channel accidentally and it brought back memories of this summer. I spent 5 weeks in Finland caring for my grandson when my DIL had a baby. Loved Helsinki, salmon soup, squeaky cheese, hiking in the "parks" that were really forests, the zoo, and the cruises around the islands. I thought the dish draining cabinet was a great idea and the shower rooms were, too.

[@AlbertaAdventurerFamily]

This is so cool we should do this in our pond out back! thanks for the great video idea guys love following you on your adventures till next time!👍

[@brooklynandrenae1946]

What an incredible experience! Love your videos ☺️

[@nyyminuolivaara]

I love to watch foreigners do those " Very Finnish things " I'd never do. 😄 No rolling in snow or ice swimming for me, thx. 😄

[@TheEvergreens]

Hey guys....we just stumbled across your channel and immediately subscribed. We love your videos so far and can't wait to catch up on all the places you've been. Cheers!

[@bodvargregersen5161]

Chad and Claire, your video of Finland was a super video. The photography was great! I had some good laughs, especially when you were ice-dipping. Claire, you looked scared stiff. Chad looked fearless. Chad the ice-dipping makes up for the fear of heights that you exhibited when you climbed up to the top of the National Basilica de Voto in Quito, Ecuador.

[@jesswood1755]

I love this video so much ..you both look so so good and i can't wait to see what you bring all us along with in 2022...

[@ChadandClaire]

Glad you enjoyed! :D we can’t wait to see what we do in 2022 as well! currently we have no idea 🤷‍♂️🥳😂

[@dislikebutton966]

Glad to see yall have been enjoying your visit in Finland :)

[@Jae..9..]

This is definitely on my bucket list! Whomever edits your videos does a fantastic job!

[@arsirantanen7492]

Great vid from our country! So real reactions, witch i learned early in my childhood. Welcome back in summer also! Take care. :)

[@wshazbot62]

Wow, what a start to the new year ! Freezing cold, kudos to y’all no way I’d do that. Congrats on feeling that experience, hope y’all had a great holiday season with family 🙏🎄🎉🎊🎁, bet you had fun planning all the countries your heading to this year. Sausage looked good 😊, I’m surprised they don’t do a shot of some alcohol after the freezing experience. Warm your insides, looks like y’all had fun either way. Anxious to see where and what your doing next ?? Have fun, stay safe 🙏❤️🌺🌸

[@ChadandClaire]

We can’t wait to share what we will do this year! Still figuring out what countries we will go to. Thanks for cheering us as always. We had such a nice holiday break with family.

[@melvinlee5150]

Chad Claire! Another great video. Omg! Both of you are so nerdy ... Clowning around the spongy white snow is just pure fun. Dipping in the Iced Cold water is heavenly... Shivering.will be an understatement... 🤣🤣🤣 BTW, Chad missed Clair's head with that seemingly large ball of hardened snow ice ball ... I can hear that iced snow ball cracked when it landed on the ground.m. hahaha... Have a wonderful trip and more fun videos please....👍😄

[@MrSorbias]

For some reason the video was recommended to me. I bet it felt awesome for you guys to go sauna afterwards! Thanks for visiting our country :)

[@laceywilliams5046]

You two are hilarious getting into the ice water!💗

[@Amrtidy]

Great, you did it WELL!!!! Proud of you!!!

[@Anpiainen]

wonderful vid !!

[@mtnlayde01]

Oh my, I was so nervous & cold watching you guys 👍👍👍

[@ahhitskatie9094]

Such a fun adventure!!

[@erics607]

I live in Wisconsin, and have done many ice baths during track season when I used to compete. The water is really cold when you get in, but after about 3 minutes, your body just goes numb and you don't feel it as much. Also, the more you move around, the colder it gets. I know you guys aren't used to the cold, but you eventually get used to it after awhile. Where I live, it can easily get up to 90+ degrees in the summer and even 100 degrees with the humidity. When fall comes around and the temperatures drop into the 40's we think it's a little chilly and we don't like it since we're used to the really hot summer temperatures. Then when winter comes, we easily get temperatures anywhere from -30 to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks in the winter. Once it hits 40 degrees towards the end of winter/beginning of spring, you will see many people walking around in shorts and t-shirts because it feels like a heatwave.

[@mattiaikas1634]

I`m a Finn and this video just randomly popped up into my recommendations. I love love love going to the sauna but I`m enough of a wuss to never have done the icy dip (once took a dive into a pond at midsummer eve that no one told me is a spring that stays icy cold all summer so I guess that`s the closest one I got), and IIRC rolled in the snow twice or three times, every time absolutely smashed.

[@ollimatik]

Kudos to you both for the ice dip....! We live in Canada, and I'm fortunate to have a sauna by the lake... I've introduced my wife and kids to the sauna and ice dip, and it's become somewhat of a tradition at new years... we have some friends over for a day of winter activities followed by a hot sauna and a dip in the lake! Very brave of you to try this 'on your own', without having someone to show you how it's done!

[@Cyberias74]

What a great video, and you really did show some SISU :D Sauna truly is part of our tradition & heritage and a big part of Finland. Hope you have also possibility to really enjoy lapland and see notrhern lights in clear night sky. Have a great journey!

[@alexdebot5215]

omg I'm soo glad too see you guys have made it to the nordic countries! Its so fun to see people who are from a weary different country/area experience scandinavian winter xD Will you guys pas thru sweden as welll? (I'm from stockholm so would be rly fun to see)

[@sahithimutnuru]

The "Grab it, Grab it all(mean the cameras)" That got me..!!! But what a unique experience.. Dipping in the ice cold water to the sauna to rolling in the snow. And great to see you travelling. Take care both of you !!

[@junielaine4211]

We are just coming to Finland February 3rd!

[@Rosy-uv3sx]

Finland how totally cool!

[@davidkasquare]

Nice video, gorgeous people here 😊 Nice to see you enjoyed even this extreme experience. A Finn living in Helsinki myself, I only once went ice bathing actually, it was in Tampere - and it was -13F (-25C) 🥶😊

[@steveandyoung]

Your videos are good. Informative and entertaining. I also notice that you go to a lot of the same places we've been, which is also a plus!

[@jerrycratsenberg989]

WE enjoy the two of you so much! WE had to laugh when Claire said, "I have neve been so nervous in my whole life". I am pretty sure that she has said that on several videos. This was a great video and the two of you are such good sports when it comes to trying new things. Thank you for sharing.

[@ShervinShares]

I want to go to finland now! you've inspired me!

[@GorgeousRandyFlamethrower-]

4:09 NO! Never slowly into an avanto. Rip it off like a band-aid

[@corenasalyers7288]

You two had me laughing so hard watching you guys walk down the steps into the ice water and rolling in the snow in your swimsuits. Wish my husband and I were there. We would do it in a heartbeat. Love trying things out of my element and my husband try’s whatever I do. All that snow is beautiful and love the sauna rooms. Really nice Agree with Joseph that comment before me about skydiving. It is such a blast. So freeing I got excited to see your video this morning. Made my Monday morning. You two are such beautiful people and an amazing couple. Enjoy your time in Finland and can’t wait for your next video. Have lots of fun 👍🏻🥰

[@ChadandClaire]

So happy we could improve your Monday morning. You have no idea how I did NOT want to roll in the snow. Claire really had to convince me for that😂

[@jarik6259]

I hope you have/had a great time in Finland! I just quickly binge-watched your videos in Finland so far, (and in Spain, too), and you made me want to go to travel abroad again some day. I love that you try some activities besides eating, too. And to be honest, ice swimming is not every Finn's cup of tea, either I tried it for the first time only few years ago. I'm really excited to see your next video in Rovaniemi, since I moved there recently! You should definitely come again to Finland in summer, and experience the midnight sunny side of it. I recommend Savonlinna and the Lake-Finland in the east, particularly.

[@Enterperse]

The pump is there to keep the ice from closing up. You're supposed to jump in straight from the sauna. It's the extreme change in temperature that feels incredible.

[@Hayselable]

It´s great to see you in Finland! As finnish person i looooove sauna but i have never rolled in snow or went to ice swimming and to be honest, probably will newer do them :D

[@timoharju3885]

lol.. thanks for visiting my country and our traditions...

[@fatalframer87]

Can't wait to go back to Finland again and do ice swimming for the first time.

[@OccasusRaven]

@fatalframer87 Welcome back here yes!

[@Numbskis]

I’m Finnish and I’ve never done it 🥶 I hate cold and being cold 😓

[@iskal6790]

I cheked out many of your videos about finland. I need to say thank you , some things were just spot on , some ..yes. My Motherland is a good place to be. But anyway , all your videos are so well made that one of you 2 is an pro at video...things. But, I enjoyed a lot at watching your trip here in Finland . I think that you 2 are so positive persons that , if you can , go around the world and let us see your MOVIES of all the places youve visited. All good things to you 2 for the future !!!!

[@fr0stlegend712]

You guys i have so much fun watching your videos i'm from Greece and i stay in Finland 2 years now and i have same reactions with everything happens here i relate so much

[@reelhappytravellers2691]

With overtourism and climate change presenting challenges to our global community, I think this travel destination is more relevant than ever. As travelers, we should keep our footprints at a minimum, in order to best preserve the world’s cultural and natural treasures for generations to come. Throught your videos,we are travelling in amazing places and really appreciate you for that!!!!

[@ookkonaaoulusta]

A brave thing to do!

[@anastasiafua]

Omg 😂 love you guys! 🎉

[@melaniediaz7421]

Oh guys i been a lot in Finland and never had the courage to swimming in the frozen lake congratulations 👏

[@vxr969]

Welcome to Finland😀🇫🇮

[@harrihamalainen8367]

This was so fun to watch as a finnish person.

[@toddsikkila1623]

Love your videos. As a 4th generation Finnish American, I am green with envy. I have yet to travel to Finland. PLEASE ask a Finn how to pronounce "sauna." The only people in the US and Canada who pronounce it correctly are those of Finnish descent.

[@toddsikkila1623]

They say SAWna. It should be SOWna.

[@hepolaroth]

Kiitos! The pronunciation was driving me crazy too!

[@elren1337]

It is correct enough if you end up being in one. Just get in and close the door behind you

[@tommisavolainen973]

A finnish here, I think the pronunciation in english would be spelled like "suh-oo-nuh". Hope it helps!

[@RabbitShirak]

Sa-u-na. In finnish you pronounce each letter. Imagine saying ”you” but remove the ”y” and shorten the rest.

[@muipall6622]

that girl went in on the snow path! well done

[@mikrokupu]

Brave diping! Now the Finnish passport is all yours :) Yeah 1:32 the metro system is the best way to get west-east, fun fact: Technically the metro links Finland's largest city (Helsinki) to the 2nd largest (Espoo), though it's the same capital region.

[@liisanorrgard5477]

I'm proud of you both. I live in Finland and I never go to ice swimming, because it's too cold. And I'm 60 years old.

[@itmooh]

there is a whole underground system in helsinki, even through the public tunnels you can walk for a mile before having to pop above ground.

[@Chimyinfinland]

It seems that you have fun 😍

[@birdman5223]

Gr8 Stuff U2🥶

[@MrAllu05]

It's so weird to see people on a vacation right next to where I live :D

[@pocholojulian8643]

Wow , amazing you both are Bold 😬

[@OccasusRaven]

Its actually refresh ur body when u do that ice dipping

[@chiefexecutivesearch]

Extreme respect! Even as a Finn I could never ever dip in avanto :D Hats off!

[@JourneywithJenandDrew]

Y’all were cracking me up getting into the ice water 😂 I (Andrew) would’ve just jumped in and out SOOOOO fast idk if that’s good or not but I would’ve had to get it over with. And I bet the snow was even worse than the bath 😂😂😂

[@gabrielgabriel5177]

Welcome to Finland 🙏🙏🙏

[@Exiletheheretic]

Snow rolling actually feels way colder than the swimming. The way the snow melts on the skin makes the temperature drop very rapidly. Ice swimming is lot of fun and the feeling after it is just great.

[@handerot]

Clothes on in the sauna though...🤔 Big no-no both in Finland and here in Sweden. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍

[@ZinedinGinToNiC]

Think about posting all the nudity to KZbin? Not possible.

[@handerot]

@@ZinedinGinToNiC I do realise that too. You can wrap a towel around you if you're shy, nobody's gonna frown upon that. But bikini and swimtrunks are not good hygene and that's why we don't like them in the sauna. Thank you for your response... 👍

[@ZinedinGinToNiC]

@@handerot Well, you are kind of right and wrong. The reason why swimsuit / trunks are not good for hygene comes from swimming halls where they use chlorine in the pools. That mixed with heat is not good combination so therefor going sauna after swimming in the pool with bikini/swimming trunks is not ok. But if you dip yourself in natural water and then go sauna with bikini or swimming trunks, I don't see that so big of a deal. It is basically same than having a towel around you but with towel you are even more wrapped up than with bikini, so I don't understand who would be with towel in sauna either, all the sweat will attach to the towel, probably the same towel where you are going to dry yourself after taking the shower etc.

[@Alexandros.Mograine]

The bubbles are there so that there is movement in the water so it doesnt freeze.

[@jameslinde3029]

It’s been over 25 years now but I remember going as one of about 6 adults who chaperoned a coed explorer post for a weekend at a Swedish ski lodge in Vermont. We did the sauna thing but not co Ed and insisted all have undershorts or a bathing suit on since it was us adults and teen boys. The boys did go out and roll in the show and come back in. I did not join them because of a childhood incident where I had to be treated for hypothermia. Anyway you all have an amazing time.

[@jpf-68]

Nice video 👍

[@SendMoreParamedics13]

Gonna be honest, this was a bit confusing..I had honestly thought I missed a video. 😆 I think this video could've used a bit of an intro, explaining how and when this came to be. Last video you were talking about buying a house, now you're all of a sudden in Finland? Random! 😂

[@ja1720]

The coldest weather I’ve been in was 8 degrees and there is zero chance I would go swimming. Big props to you guys

[@OccasusRaven]

@JA 17 Could u be outside when its minus 30°C? (-22°F)

[@ja1720]

@@OccasusRaven no

[@jan-olesnabb2174]

The most important thing for a beginner is to warm up properly in the sauna and then quickly get straight into the water. And the first time you go in there, you shouldn't stay there and "suffer" for nothing, but get up and quickly get back into the sauna to warm up. If you miss the cold bath, then do it again and gradually get used to the idea of maybe wanting to do it again sometime. 😊

[@ShawNshawN]

I think you guys suffered more in the snow. LOL. Great video.

[@Krillekris]

Finnish mustard is very good. My favorite. I think you have the mild one. I prefer the red tube. You can even get stronger than red.

[@pallikorva11]

I also like Redtube! 😂

[@itmooh]

btw the "little bubbles" are there just to prevent it from freezing over =D

[@vleal1212]

Great videos! What camera are you guys using, if you don’t mind, to record these, as I’m looking for one and live what you guys have? Thanks

[@MinervaQueen-nh7bg]

Sisu means kind of like courage+perseverance.

[@munkki6700]

Pro tip, when u go in to cold water, dont stop. Go directly neck deep and count ur breathing till u r at approx 30 or so, while slowing ur brething. I would never do it ur way, step by step. Also feeling in the sauna after icy water is pretty awesome.

[@villekyllonen8941]

0:27 it is so warm here in Finland can be -30°C or -22°F

[@markuspalmroth3856]

the bubbles are there to keep the water moving so the hole doesn't freeze close xD

[@nannacat3]

Wow 😍

[@pallikorva11]

Nice video! As a Finn I feel ashamed I've never ice dipped. Maybe with the right company and some...uhm...booze I would have! I have a summer cottage in the archipelago which I only use in the summers (weekly) so no ice dipping (although the water feels icy until July). I could take snow baths in my home, tho... 🥶

[@janbergendahl]

You did amazing i must say. I am from Finland and have done ice bath 1 time in my life and did not enjoy it 😂. I am not doing it again 😁. You are real vikings ;-).

[@thamor4746]

That snow dive yelping :D. You failed to do the basic snow angel =)

[@ihmelimu]

I live in finland thx for this

[@Alexandros.Mograine]

If you take a good sauna, then dip yourself in the water and get out, it actually doesnt feel cold outside. sounds weird but you really need to try it to believe it.

[@gamerbear84]

I think grit is a pretty decent translation of sisu, really. Like you said it goes a bit deeper, but yeah. It's very cool seeing people experience my home country. And yes, Finnish mustard kicks the ass of American mustard.

[@user-su3jy9el2v]

a fairly cold air temperature for the first time ice swimming, most people go first in around 0*C

[@ravenfin1916]

It's pretty brave to pour such a big scoop into the stove at once. And next time, wait for the fire to turn into embers when you fry the sausage. Otherwise, it looked like a basic Finnish Saturday.😉