Hotel Ski & Wellness Residence Družba offers guests the ultimate relaxation experience in one of the largest hotel wellness centers in the Liptov region. In addition to a 25-meter swimming pool, visitors can enjoy two whirlpools, an outdoor heated pool, a children’s pool, and a traditional wooden hot tub overlooking the Biela Púť ski slope. And that’s just the beginning. The wellness area also features a wide selection of steam and dry saunas, creating the perfect place to unwind after a day in the mountains in Jasná.
The first saunas date back to the Bronze Age
Sauna culture is now popular all over the world, but its origins go back much further than most people realize. Primitive forms of saunas have existed since the late Bronze Age. The tradition developed from an early method of heating homes with hot stones. The stones were placed inside a pit located in the center of the dwelling, gradually warming the entire interior space.
Sauna Culture in Finland
When it comes to sauna culture, no nation embraces it quite like the Finns. According to statistics from the University of Helsinki, around 88% of Finns use a sauna at least once a week. Finland is home to roughly two million saunas, which is an impressive number for a country of about six million people. For many Finns, having a sauna at home is completely normal, while shared community saunas are also extremely popular. Since the 20th century, saunas have even become common in apartment buildings, and you’ll find them in places as unexpected as the Finnish Parliament or even the airport in Helsinki.
More than relaxation — a ritual
Sauna traditions have always carried a ritual-like significance. Across cultures stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Ural Mountains, among early Celtic and Finnish tribes, saunas represented not only cleansing, but also community, relaxation, and spiritual renewal. Even today, sauna culture follows certain unwritten rules and customs that visitors should respect and follow for the best experience.
A towel, not a swimsuit
While it’s completely normal in Nordic countries to enter even public or shared saunas fully nude, most sauna visitors in Slovakia prefer to wrap themselves in a towel or sauna sheet. Leave your swimsuit behind, take a shower beforehand, and enter the sauna wrapped only in a towel or sheet. It’s also important to spread the towel underneath your body so sweat doesn’t soak directly into the wooden benches.
Open up your pores
That pre-sauna shower isn’t just about hygiene—it also has health benefits. A thorough shower with soap helps cleanse and open your skin pores, preparing your body to sweat more effectively. After showering, make sure to dry yourself completely before entering the sauna. When your skin is fully dry, sweating begins much faster and the sauna becomes more effective overall.
Cooling down with cold water
A proper sauna cycle is never complete without a cold-water cooldown. You don’t have to jump straight into ice water—cooling down in the shower works just fine. Start by gradually lowering the water temperature and begin rinsing your limbs first, then slowly move upward across your body. This cooling phase helps support your immune system and improves your body’s resilience against colds and other illnesses.
Respect for others
Historically, steam baths have been places of discussion and conversation since the days of the Roman Empire, where even military strategies and important political decisions were once debated. Today, however, the main rule in the sauna is consideration for others. If you’re not alone, keep conversations to a minimum and allow other guests to relax in silence. Wellness spaces are primarily designed for rest and recovery.
Hydration and rest
Don’t forget about proper hydration during sauna sessions. In addition to the drinking fountain in the adult zone, you can also use the wellness bar and enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice or refreshing mineral water. Make sure to rest between individual sauna and cooling cycles. After leaving the wellness center, avoid any physically demanding activities for the rest of the day. That way, you’ll get the most out of your wellness stay and leave fully refreshed.
