Norway, it’s the return of the Cold Dears

There’s a magic about the fjords so don’t be surprised if you see a vision through the mists… Norway, it’s the return of the Cold Dears.

In Voss, an eight-strong group of pensioners led by the marvellous Marit Waehle go for a dip in the icy waters and take a sauna.

While in this festive season they’re donning their Santa hats too.

Just like they’ve been doing across the fjords for the past 100 years.

Our yearly bath

The Christmas Bath, usually Christmas Eve, is a major annual event, which back in the day was an opportunity to have a full-body wash.

The idea was that the man was the first to go in, followed by his wife, children and servants… much like ourselves!

After their bath the Norwegians would put on clean clothes in prep for the big Christmas celebration.

With beer taken obviously.

These days the sauna is included.

Fjord siesta

You can find saunas in villages and cities, both deep in the fjords and along the coast.

Which helpfully our friends in the fjords have listed here for us…

• Elva Hotel
• Voss Hostel
• Heit Bergen Sauna Laksevåg
• Sauna at Jølstraholmen
• Nausta – floating sauna in Molde
• Heit Sørfjorden Sauna
• Luster Fjord Spa
• Damp Sauna Sola
• Floating Saunas at Preikestolen BaseCamp
• Heit Haugesund Sauna – Viking Adventure
• Fjord Sauna Aurland
• Kok og Bad
• Heit Åkrafjorden Sauna
• Floating sauna in Stavanger Hinna Park
• Hot mama sauna
• Heit Bergen Sauna
• The sauna Moskjelen in Suldal
• Svai Sauna – Ålesund
• Solstrand Spa
• The hottub at Flørli
• Floating Sauna in Tananger
• Fabellina
• Fryd Askøy
• Damp Sauna Hinna

‘Among ice bathers, higher levels of several protective factors in the blood have been measured, factors that protect against infections, and this corresponds to the fact that ice bathers have a few respiratory infections than others,’ says Arctic University of Norway boffin Prof Maja-Lisa Lochen.

Although we admit we take further precautions than these hardy pensioners by getting dressed up as teletubbies for our stint in Val D’Isere.

The Voss boss

Not to dip your head and hands in and use a hat and gloves and water shoes.

And not to jump or dive in, especially if you are a senior citizen.

And never to ice bathe alone.

Not least because you need the company as Marit admits.

‘When you get in, you should breathe deeply four times, don’t rush, and feel that the body adapts.

‘We try to stay calm and not talk too much when we are in the water, although it’s difficult when there are so many of who love to chat!’

Norway, it’s the return of the Cold Dears… but we say, Yes Way.