Real snow is a magnet,” says Sara Brenninger, product manager at snow specialist, TechnoAlpin. “Our beautiful and dramatic snowrooms are typically used in combination with a sauna to create ‘contrast therapy’ which stimulates the body with extreme temperatures, going from up to +90°C in the Finnish sauna, down to -10°C in the snowroom.

“Operators who install snowrooms benefit from a new and attractive treatment. Moreover, the snowroom not only makes guests feel great, it also looks amazing,” she explains.

“Hydrotherapy has been practiced over the centuries, enabling people to benefit from the effects of hot and cold, but being immersed in cold water after a sauna can be uncomfortable and for some it cannot be practiced due to the risk of thermal shock,” says Brenninger.

“Nevertheless, the cool-down phase is essential to achieve the benefits of hot and cold contrast therapy, so we set out to create a way to deliver the cold element that’s more pleasurable – the result is the TechnoAlpin snowroom.

“The most revolutionary aspect of the snowroom is the delivery of ‘dry cold’,” she says, “even if the temperature drops 100°C, from +90°C to -10°C, there’s no temperature shock but simply a gradual cooling down.

“Deep breaths refresh the lungs and over a few minutes the body cools down step by step and from head to toe,” she says.

“The TechnoAlpin snowroom delivers a very healthy, comfortable cold,” says Brenninger, “although people who desire a more intense effect can grab some snow and massage it to the skin to intensify the effect.”

With cold treatments gaining in popularity, how does the TechnoAlpin snowroom compare with other options, such as cryotherapy, where the body is exposed to extreme temperatures of -110°C and less?

“Cryotherapy offers a rather medical approach, with specific therapeutic goals and should always be supervised,” says Brenninger, “whereas the TechnoAlpin snowroom is a spa application, used to deliver an immediate feeling of wellbeing and relaxation.

“In addition to the health benefits it creates a playful experience with snow for guests,” she continues.

Health benefits
Being exposed alternately to heat and cold helps to train blood vessels and the cardiovascular system, as blood vessels dilate with heat and contract with cold. The repetition of hot and cold cycles also has a similar effect as physical exercise in boosting metabolism.

Cold strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation and pain meaning aching muscles and joints can be cooled with snow to relieve pain.

“As sporty people know, the body recovers much more quickly from intense exercise when exposed to cold,” says Brenninger, “so 10 minutes in the snowroom and a short and vigorous rubbing with snow will help this process by decreasing lactate levels in the body.

“When it comes to operations, snowrooms are easy to manage,” explains Brenninger. “Snowrooms come in a choice of attractive interior designs and are easy and cost-effective to maintain. There are no issues with hygiene, due to the low temperatures, and the system runs an automatic programme to create snow and defrost, making them easy to use.”

Why TechnoAlpin?
“We’ve been the industry leader in the snowmaking business for 30 years,” explains Brenninger, “and even after all these years, we’re still constantly improving our technology to stay at the leading edge.

“We’re operating in more than 50 countries and offer worldwide service, which is crucial for our customers.

“We’ve installed more than 100 snowrooms to date, which proves the concept is working and customers trust in our quality and service. We offer a 360° solution, from planning from installation to after-sales service.

“Snowrooms are the most appealing cold treatment a spa can offer, boosting the sauna experience to its maximum.”