the mommy avenger

Right now, everyone seems to be jumping on the sauna and cold plunge trend.

And honestly? We’re here for it.

There’s something about the rhythm of heat and cold that feels both energizing and grounding at the same time. Over the past year we’ve tried a few different spots, each with its own take on the experience. But this past weekend we were introduced to something completely different… and I can honestly say it exceeded anything I’ve experienced so far.

Our adventure took us to Soho Saunas, tucked away in the charming mountain town of Midway. The town itself is stunning. Surrounded by mountains and quiet farmland, it feels like stepping into a peaceful alpine village.

And if the area feels familiar, there’s a reason. Just down the road sits Soldier Hollow, one of the venues used during the 2002 Winter Olympics. The scenery alone is enough to slow your heart rate before you even arrive.

We followed the winding roads through the valley until we reached Soho Saunas. But the surprises didn’t stop with the scenery.

When we walked into the building, we learned that something else pretty iconic happened there years ago.

Fans of High School Musical might recognize the lobby. It’s the very place where Troy and Gabriella met and sang karaoke back in 2006. Standing there felt like a funny little pop culture time capsule.

But now, in 2026, the space has transformed into something entirely different.

That’s where we met Shane, the owner of Soho Saunas.

From the moment we met him, Shane was warm, welcoming, and genuinely excited to share what he’s built. He walked us through the philosophy behind the experience and explained how to make the most of our evening.

What immediately stood out was how intentional everything was.

This wasn’t just another hot room and cold tub.

Shane explained that the experience he created is inspired by the Japanese bathing philosophy often associated with onsen culture. Unlike the more intense American style of contrast therapy that can feel like a test of endurance, this version focuses on restoration, rhythm, and cleansing.

In Japan, hot spring bathing is rooted in the idea of purification and renewal. Mineral-rich waters are believed to soothe muscles, improve circulation, and restore both body and mind. Just as important as the water itself is the ritual: you wash before entering, move slowly through the experience, and allow the process to quiet your mind as much as your body. 

Shane shares this Onsen philosophy  at Soho Saunas — a slower, more intentional approach to heat, cold, and mineral bathing that feels almost spiritual in its simplicity.

Naturally, I was anxious to try it for ourselves. Even better, we had booked a private two-hour session, which meant our family had the entire outdoor area to ourselves.

Once we stepped outside, the magic of the place really revealed itself.

The outdoor space held three main elements of the experience:

• a beautifully crafted barrel sauna
• a cold plunge
• a mineral bath

Before starting, we followed the tradition and rinsed off in the outdoor shower. There’s something surprisingly grounding about that simple step — washing away the day before beginning the ritual.

Then we stepped into the sauna.

The barrel sauna glowed with warm golden light, and as the evening progressed, the sun slowly dipped behind the mountains. The sky softened into shades of blue and purple while the first stars began appearing overhead.

It was one of those moments where everything feels still.

Inside the sauna, the heat wrapped around us in a steady, calming way. Not overwhelming. Not harsh. Just warm enough to relax every muscle in your body.

From there, we moved between the stations as often as we wanted.

Sauna.
Cold plunge.
Mineral bath.
Rest.

Again and again.

Each transition felt like pressing a reset button on our nervous systems.

The cold plunge shocked the senses just enough to wake everything up. The mineral bath softened the experience and soothed the body. Then the sauna would draw you back in with its quiet warmth.

With every round, the outside world felt a little farther away.

Phones didn’t matter. Deadlines didn’t matter. Stress didn’t matter.

The whole experience felt incredibly grounding, like we were slowly washing away layers of tension we didn’t even realize we had been carrying.

At one point we heard coyotes calling somewhere out in the distance. The mountains were completely still around us, and the sky above was filled with stars.

It felt like the world had gone quiet just for us. There’s something powerful about slowing down long enough to notice those things again. The philosophy behind the experience really began to make sense. The goal isn’t to push yourself to extremes. It’s to move through cycles of heat, cold, and rest in a way that reconnects your body and mind.

By the time our two hours came to an end, we all felt different.

Lighter.
Calmer.
Balanced.

Everything just felt right again.

That night, I went home and had one of the best nights of sleep I’ve had in years.

And now I completely understand how this could become something your body starts to crave. Thankfully, Soho Saunas offers memberships for people who want to make the ritual part of their routine, and I can absolutely see why.

Peace and tranquility can feel hard to find these days. But for a few hours in the mountains, moving between warm cedar, cool water, and mineral baths under the stars, it felt effortless.

I haven’t felt that much calm in a long time.

And I can’t wait to go back.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}