The “Sauna of the Year” Awards are presented by the Norwegian Sauna Association (Norges Badstulaug) to celebrate some of the very best of Norwegian sauna culture. At the Norwegian Sauna Conference on 7 February, Skogens rom Sauna received the “Newcomer of the Year 2026” award! Through these awards, the Norwegian Sauna Association aims to highlight inspiring projects that succeed in engaging people, creating warmth and community, and sharing knowledge about sauna culture - both within Norway’s growing sauna community and beyond. The jury consists of the board of the Norwegian Sauna Association.
This year’s winners
Newcomer of the Year: Skogens rom Sauna
Sauna of the Year: SALT, Oslo
Sustainability Award: Arctic Sauna Træna
Sauna Master of the Year: Hilde Karlsen, Vinternatt
Lifetime honorary memberships of the Norwegian Sauna Association were also awarded to Mikkel Aaland, half from Ulefoss, half American, and quite simply a legend in the international sauna world, and Torbjørn Scheie.
The jury’s statement
“This year’s newcomer is a project that truly goes all in - a project that genuinely understands that a sauna is, and should be, much more than just a warm room. It creates an opportunity to completely disconnect from the outside world, with an emphasis on warm hospitality, beautiful surroundings, thoughtful architecture, great rituals and excellent steam. Quality runs through every aspect of the experience.
The sauna is only the first step towards something bigger, but starting with the sauna shows an understanding of the magical power it holds. It was conceived by two sisters, architect Tone Sandøy and tourism professional Bodil Sandøy Tveitan, and embarked on an epic journey through the locks of the Telemark Canal before finding its home in the green surroundings of Lunde, where it has become a much-loved gathering place for locals and visitors alike.”
Receiving an award like this means an incredible amount to us! First of all, it is an important recognition that all the work we have put into Skogens rom has been noticed and appreciated. And there has certainly been no shortage of work - or investment - to get this far. Secondly, as newcomers, the award gives us incredibly valuable visibility and attention at the beginning of our journey.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to the jury, and to everyone who has contributed, supported us and cheered us on along the way!
