What is the minimum age to participate?

Minimum age is 14; all minors under 19 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at "The Caboose" — 620 Callaghan Valley Road, Whistler, BC. Guests must check in 30 minutes prior to departure.

Is the cold plunge required?

No. The cold‑water challenge is optional; guides offer alternative cooling and breathing techniques if you prefer not to plunge.

Towel rentals are available on site, but guests are welcome to bring their own for comfort.

Is transportation provided?

This is a self‑drive event; there is no shuttle service. Follow the FSR directions to the indicated parking area.

Can pregnant guests participate?

Sauna sessions are not recommended for pregnant guests. Expecting moms are welcome on the Medicine Trail snowshoe portion but should consult a physician.

Forest Sauna & Snowshoe: Melting Hearts Charity Experience Near Whistler

On the lower slopes of the Callaghan Valley, a three‑hour ritual of wood heat, cold, and forest trail awaits. Melting Hearts Wilderness Sauna for Charity runs out of The Caboose at 620 Callaghan Valley Road, Whistler, British Columbia, offering a guided snowshoe on the Medicine Trail followed by a traditional wood‑fired sauna experience set among ancient conifers. The event is straightforward in its promise: slow down, support a cause, and feel the body reset.

The outing begins on packed snow under a canopy of western hemlock and yellow cedar—typical species of the coastal temperate rainforest that carpets this glacially carved basin. On trail you’ll pass small wetlands and moss‑draped trunks, a quiet landscape that rewards soft‑footed movement and attentive breathing. The sauna itself is a timber hut heated by a wood stove; steam and pine smoke hang in the air as participants move between heat sessions and an optional cold‑water challenge that begins beside a natural plunge point.

What sets this experience apart is the pairing of simple wilderness movement with deliberate recovery, led by a first‑aid‑certified guide who directs breathwork, a fireside tea ritual, and grounding exercises. It’s also a charity event: all proceeds go to local causes, which gives the evening a communal focus beyond individual wellness. Practical details are intentionally minimal—there is a change room and outhouse on site, towel rentals available, but no showers—so the program feels wholesome and honest rather than spa‑slick.

Accessibility is broad: listed as "all abilities" with a minimum age of 14, the snowshoe leg is gentle but requires traction and winter footwear. Safety rules are firm—no participation while intoxicated, and saunas aren’t recommended for pregnant guests or people with serious cardiorespiratory conditions. Check‑in is at The Caboose 30 minutes before start; parking is on‑site and this is a self‑drive event. Follow the posted FSR directions when you arrive: continue over the first bridge and take the first right; parking is immediately on your left.

Participants should plan for a 3.5‑hour window that balances trail time and sauna sessions; guides manage a relaxed rhythm so everyone can warm, cool, and rest between rounds. Bring a small daypack with water, snacks, a bathing suit (wearing it saves time), a robe and sandals for moving between the hut and plunge point, and warm layers to don after the experience. This short evening trip folds the rawness of Callaghan Valley into a focused ritual for visitors who want meaningful winter movement and a tangible way to support community causes. It’s a low‑impact way to experience winter forest, meet locals and visitors with shared purpose, and leave knowing your ticket supported something larger than the heat you carried out of the sauna.

About Canadian Wilderness Adventures

Canadian Wilderness Adventures is a Whistler, British Columbia-based outdoor adventure operator offering guided mountain experiences across Blackcomb and Callaghan Valley. The company specializes in mountaintop dining, off-road ATV and buggy tours, snowmobile and snowcat journeys, guided snowshoe walks, and dogsled and jeep excursions. Signature experiences include the Crystal Hut Fondue by Snowcat and Crystal Hut Fondue by Snowmobile, which deliver alpine fondue dinners and live music at 6,000 feet, recognized as a Canadian Signature Experience.

Guides are trained to operate specialized vehicles and lead safe, guided tours in Whistler's backcountry, connecting guests with local landscapes such as Horstman Glacier, the Medicine Trail old-growth forest, and historic sites like the NorthAir Goldmine and trapper's cabins. Dining-focused adventures include Salmon Bake by Jeep and Salmon Bake by ATV, featuring Pacific Coast and West Coast cuisine including cedar-planked and maple-glazed wild BC salmon. Evening tours such as Sproatt Steak Night and Canadian Campfire Cookout combine rustic backcountry settings with local ingredients and live entertainment.

The operator provides experiences suited to a range of abilities: beginner-friendly ATV and snowmobile tours, advanced off-road trails, family-oriented snowshoeing and apres tours, and specialty seasonal events like New Year's Eve Crystal Hut seatings. With a diverse portfolio of 29 experiences based in Whistler, Canadian Wilderness Adventures offers reliable, guided outdoor adventures that highlight regional scenery, cuisine, and backcountry access. Reservations are available year-round for seasonal experiences and the operator coordinates logistics, safety briefings, and local knowledge to ensure memorable, well-managed excursions in Whistler's mountain environment for all abilities.