New Huntsville sauna warms the heart of town
NEWS
Kaitlin Poulter and Grant Stanley stand in front of the new community sauna they built for the community. More photos of the sauna, inside and out, and the cute outhouse-style restroom. Deann Armes
Ogdenites have another reason to take the scenic drive up Ogden Canyon. The Huntsville Sauna opened in January, adding another attraction to the walkable town square along with Compass Rose Lodge, Shooting Star Saloon, the Art Space and Cemetery Point beach at Pineview Reservoir.
The business is owned by Grant Stanley and Kaitlin Poulter, an Ogden couple. They met in Utah after Stanley relocated from the Midwest for the mountains. As a skier, mountain biker, and ice climber, Stanley fits the mold of a Midwest transplant who embraces outdoor sports. Both are actively involved in the ski and outdoor recreation communities and are excited to build something local residents love.
Poulter initially wanted a sauna at home and found one for sale, but it was too big for her backyard. That sparked the idea for a new small business that serves a public need in the town.
Having grown up with a sauna at her family's cottage in Canada, Poulter said it is a good way to relax and provides a full-body nervous system reset. "My skin loves it," she said. "I have dry, sensitive skin and I always feel glowing." Poulter uses the facility twice a week and says it is suitable for daily use.
The sauna, which sits next door to Compass Rose Lodge and pickleball courts, can accommodate parties of up to six. The temperature is 185 degrees, which is higher than gyms that typically keep them at 145 degrees. Three 15-minute sessions are recommended, with a patio, chairs, and mountain views for cooling off between sessions.
Poulter said the higher temperature activates health benefits. An average 45-minute session consisting of three 15-minute rounds can burn 500 calories for an adult man due to an elevated heart rate, which is similar to the effects of jogging, she said.
Since its opening, the sauna has been popular with locals who enjoy its self-service accessibility. Users can book sessions immediately, making it feel like having a sauna in their own backyard. Poulter is also adding a pollinator garden and bird feeders to the front patio area.
It is a relaxing way to end a hike or a day of skiing, making it a perfect fit for a town with so much recreation.
Poulter, originally from Huntsville, said she is happy to stay connected to her hometown. "We hope the community loves it and it becomes an asset to other businesses," she said.
The sauna is located at 150 S. 7400 E. in Huntsville. More information is available at huntsvillesauna.com.