Secrets to a Happy Toronto Winter: #3. Saunas can fit in condos

Secrets to a Happy Toronto Winter: #3. Saunas can fit in condos

Secrets to a Happy Toronto Winter: #3. Saunas can fit in condos
(Image: courtesy of SaunaRay)

A private shvitz might be the ultimate winter ­indulgence—just ask Rodney Palmer, the former CTV foreign correspondent who founded SaunaRay, a Collingwood company, a decade ago. He and his wife are apostles of the health benefits of infrared heat. They build saunas using technology developed and materials collected within 100 miles of where the units are assembled. SaunaRay makes them in four sizes—the smallest of which is no bigger than a shower stall—but will also custom-build to fit any space. They’ve sauna’d up the Ottawa Senators’ physiotherapy room, and the homes of Belinda Stronach, Michael Budman, Cindy Crawford and Michael Douglas. From $3,300. By appointment. 877-922-1100, saunaray.com.


1 Made from Ontario basswood harvested outside Collingwood and hand-finished in beeswax.

2 The windows open, so you can adjust the heat.

3 Cages around the heat source are designed to stay cool to the touch, so units are all kid-friendly.

4 The heat comes from ceramic tiles hidden in the corners of the units, so no one part gets too hot.

5 Units come pre-assembled and plug directly into a wall outlet.