In winter, many Finns take a sauna — and then do something startling: they walk out into the cold and lower themselves into a hole cut through a metre of ice.
This is avanto, ice swimming, a national pastime that mixes bravado with genuine calm. To the newcomer it looks extreme; to the Finn, it is a blissful, almost meditative reset.
The winter tradition
Avanto has deep roots in the Nordic habit of alternating intense heat with intense cold. The classic Finnish version pairs ice swimming with the sauna: heat up, plunge in, repeat — the contrast pulsing energy through the whole body.
Purpose-built facilities appear at lakes and seaside pools in winter, with changing cabins, a ladder into the hole and, always, the sauna nearby. It is social, organised and very much a community thing.
How it is done
The experienced approach is simple and safe: keep moving in the water, stay just a short time, and get out into the warmth quickly. Breathing steadily and staying calm is the whole art.
Newcomers are always told: never swim alone, check the facility is professionally managed, and trust that you can leave after seconds if you wish — nobody is scoring your endurance.
Health benefits
Enthusiasts describe a remarkable afterglow: a deep calm, better sleep and a sense of clarity. Research points to benefits in circulation, mood and a general feeling of resilience in the cold.
Regular practitioners often report lower stress and a cheerful tolerance of winter. But the effect is personal — some simply love the shiver that turns to warmth.
Safety rules
- Never swim alone or in an unsupervised hole — always have help nearby
- Stay in no longer than you feel comfortable — seconds are a fine first dip
- Enter gradually and exit quickly to a warm place
- Let those with heart conditions or doubts consult a doctor — and let your body decide
Done with respect, avanto is one of the most Finnish things there is: a small, brave act of self-care against the cold, rewarded with a warmth that no heater can match.
Frequently asked questions
Is ice swimming safe for beginners?
Yes, if done properly: supervised, brief, with others, and entering gradually. The contrast is the thrill, not the length. Start with seconds, not minutes.
Do I need the sauna after?
The sauna before and after is traditional and helps the body adjust to the cold. It also deepens the purifying ritual — heat, cold, heat.
Where can I try it?
Municipal winter-swimming spots at lakes and seaside in Finland are common, with changing rooms and staff. Many welcome first-timers and will happily guide you through it.
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