Sauna Experience at Northern Lights

Where to find us

Northern Lights Sauna is located in the back courtyard at Whitewater Music Hall in downtown Wausau. A parking lot at the front of the music hall is conveniently located just off River Road. 

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Follow the signs for Northern Lights Sauna and check-in at the front desk.

What to expect

A sauna host will greet you and get you checked in at the front desk. You’ll be shown where to place your belongings and how to access the bathrooms if needed. We recommend arriving wearing your swimsuit or the clothing you plan to sauna in.

Next, the host will show you to the sauna and you will cycle through rounds of entering the hot room, cooling down via a combination of cooler air temps and water, resting, and then entering the hot room again. 

What to wear

While saunas are traditionally taken in the nude, we are definitely still at swimsuit/clothing status here in the midwest. We want you to be comfortable, so know that metal clasps on swimsuits can get hot. 

We often get asked, "Can I wear shorts/pants/t-shirt/etc?" Absolutely! 

What to bring

• A pair of slip-on sandals/shoes

• A water bottle

• Two towels (trust us, you'll want a fresh one at the end of your session :)

• A robe is either a luxury item or a necessity depending on who you ask;) We say bring one!

What NOT to Bring

Pack light and leave any valuables at home. There are no lockers on-site and limited space for keeping your personal items. Northern Lights is not responsible for any items that are brought with you to your session.

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**Towels are available for a $5 rental charge if you forgot yours. All guests will be required to sit on a towel while in the sauna.

Drink water, and then drink some more

In order to end up feeling good, it is critically important to hydrate before, during, and after your sauna session.

BEFORE: We recommend 16 ounces of water BEFORE you show up to sauna.

DURING: Bring your water bottle, drink up, and refill before you head out.

AFTER: Continue to hydrate and grab some electrolytes if you're feeling like water isn't doing the job. 

**Water bottles will be available for purchase on-site if you forgot your water bottle.  Please help us stay as low-waste as possible and bring your own bottle!

Accessibility

The entrance to the sauna is a series of small steps with a single handrail. The interior of the sauna is an intimate space that requires participants to have the ability to maintain balance while walking into the sauna and getting onto and off of the benches. If you have limited mobility or any concern about your ability to safely navigate steps, uneven surfaces, or benches without handrails, please reach out to us in advance. We are always happy to work together to determine if the space is accessible for you and if modifications can be made. Please contact us if you have questions.

Sauna rules and guiding principles

1. This is a safe and welcoming environment for all. You leave your belongings and most of your clothing at the door, and with it you are invited to leave anything else that is not serving you or your community. As the Finnish proverb states, all humans are equal, but nowhere more so than in a sauna. Both you and your neighbors on the sauna bench are worthy of love, dignity, and respect. Remember you are in a shared space.

2. No phones in the sauna! If you want a photo, your sauna host is happy to snap one of you and/or your group outside the sauna or through the window. Go for it! Most jewelry and hair clips should also be removed before entering the sauna. Rings tend to do fine, but metal necklace pieces on your neck will get too hot to the touch and most other hair clips and accessories will potentially warp.

3. All guests will be required to sit on a towel while in the sauna. No body lotions or oils are to be used on the skin before your session. These measures help maintain the integrity of the sauna surfaces.

4. Absolutely no food is allowed in the sauna. We recommend leaving your water bottle outside of the hot room.

5. Alcohol and sauna do not mix well. Never drink before, and if you choose to drink after, hydrate excessively. Sauna requires a level of awareness that being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs impairs. If you are noticeably under the influence of any kind, you will be asked to reschedule your sauna session to keep yourself and others safe.

6. Close the door after you’ve entered the sauna. Please do not stand half in half out.

7. Take your towel with you after each round and consider selecting a new seat upon re-entry. We want to make sure everyone has a chance to experience different seats in the sauna. It’s good to know that the top bench is considerably hotter than the lower bench.

8. The sauna host is always willing to help answer questions and help you gauge how long to stay in the sauna. That said, you should always exit the sauna if you feel nauseous, lightheaded, or dizzy. Feelings of being “too hot,” mildly to moderately anxious, uncomfortable, or claustrophobic are a welcome opportunity to breathe through and start to modulate that response. Your guide can help.

9. Stay home if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: Cough (new onset or worsening of chronic cough), Shortness of breath, Fever or chills, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell. We will work with you to reschedule your sauna session.

Thank you for creating a comfortable and safe space for all.

Cancelation/Rescheduling policies and instructions

Need to cancel or reschedule a session?

Cancellations made more than 24 hours before a reservation will receive a refund. Follow the steps below-

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1. Search for the confirmation email in your inbox. 

2. Once selected, you will see links that say “Change booking | Cancel booking” located just above the "Next Step" section in green near the top of the email. 

3. Click the link and follow the instructions as prompted.

**Cancellations made 24 hours or less before a reservation will not be refunded.