Archeological evidence shows that indigenous peoples across subarctic regions have used saunas for thousands of years, but it was the Finns who truly made it a way of life.
The Finns turned the simple act of pouring water over hot stones to create deeply purifying steam (löyly) into a revered way of life. The sauna is a place of health, cleanliness, and purity. It is treated with the deep reverence of a church, yet serves as a cherished social hub to spend quality time with friends and family.  Our personal love story with the heat comes from our time in Latvia.

In Latvia, the traditional sauna is known as the pirts. Dating all the way back to pagan times around 2000 BC, the pirts was historically considered the most sacred space on a farmstead. It elevates a quick, everyday sweat into a profound ritual of physical and spiritual rejuvenation.

Rather than just sitting in a hot room, the pirts is an immersive experience that relies heavily on contrast. It weaves together the intense heat of a wood fire, the enveloping humidity of the steam, and the heart-pounding, exhilarating rush of a freezing cold plunge.

At Fjord & Fire, we proudly honor the globally celebrated origins of the Finnish sauna, and our heart beats to the rhythm of the Latvian pirts. It is that perfect, soul-cleansing harmony of nature, fire, and cold water that we can't wait to share with the Lake Chelan community.