Minnesotans Embrace Sauna Culture Amid Winter Freeze Minnesotans are embracing the tradition of sauna bathing, brought by Nordic settlers in the late 1800s. The freeze-sweat ritual has gained popularity, with a surge in sauna ventures and backyard sauna makers struggling to keep up with demand. The pandemic further turbocharged the state’s sauna industry, as many built home saunas during lockdown and sought communal bathing gatherings for human connection. Sauna culture has deep historical roots in Minnesota, and its resurgence is driven by the physical and mental health benefits, as well as the intimate bonds fostered in the sauna spaces. The trend has also led to the formation of social groups centered around sauna experiences, providing a unique and intimate environment for people to connect.