The new expansion introduces the most diverse sauna collection in the U.S., adding contrast therapy and thermal circuits to the Colorado hot springs destination as part of WorldSprings’ growing national wellness network
Sauna culture and contrast therapy continue gaining traction across the United States, with Iron Mountain Hot Springs the latest to capitalize on the trend.
The Colorado resort is expanding its wellness offerings with the launch of The Sauna Summit, marketed as the most diverse sauna collection in the United States.
The expansion introduces the first publicly accessible sauna and plunge pool experience in Glenwood Springs, adding five thermal environments and three dedicated plunge pools to the Colorado destination. Guests can move through the circuit independently or participate in guided sessions designed to support goals like muscle recovery, cardiovascular health and nervous system regulation.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which was originally centered around a collection of mineral pools from underground springs, reopened in 2015 as a modern geothermal soaking destination along the Colorado River.
A major step in that transformation came in 2023 with the introduction of Premier Access, an adults-only area featuring globally inspired soaking pools modeled after famous geothermal locations such as Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and the Dead Sea. The Sauna Summit builds on that concept by introducing structured contrast therapy, bringing heat and cold exposure into the experience alongside traditional mineral bathing.
“When we acquired Iron Mountain Hot Springs six years ago, the vision was to create a truly outstanding wellness attraction in America,” said Rob Kramer, the co-founder of WorldSprings and managing partner of Off Road Capital. “The WorldSprings expansion, completed in 2023, followed by the opening of The Sauna Summit, accomplishes that objective.”
The company describes the Sauna Summit as the most diverse sauna collection in the United States, with thermal environments inspired by historic bathing traditions from around the world. Among them is a steam room inspired by the Turkish hammam, a traditional Finnish-style sauna, and a red light clay sauna influenced by the South Korean hanjeungmak. Other spaces include an aromatherapy sauna inspired by the Russian banya, with herbal-infused heat, and a salt sauna modeled after Polish salt rooms.
“The Sauna Summit is designed to give guests practical, proven ways to support their holistic well-being,” said Aaron McCallister, the general manager of Iron Mountain Hot Springs. “By introducing sauna culture, cold plunges and intentional contrast therapy, we’re expanding the experience beyond soaking and offering new ways for people to recover, reset and feel their best.”
The expansion also reflects a broader shift in America’s wellness and hospitality sectors toward contrast therapy and social bathing experiences.
Culture of Bathe-ing took over Williamsburg in New York City, featuring 17 saunas and over 1,000 guided sessions. Brick-and-mortar contrast-therapy spaces continue to grow as well, including brands like Othership,.
“The Sauna Summit is purpose-built for guests to partake in contrast therapy and settle into an open, inviting space that encourages connection and shared time,” McCallister said. “It allows guests to reset their bodies through intentional wellness experiences or simply spend the day together in a beautiful setting.”
