Jasper Pääkkönen On Why Sauna And Drinking Culture Go Hand-In-Hand In Finland

LifestyleSpiritsJasper Pääkkönen On Why Sauna And Drinking Culture Go Hand-In-Hand In FinlandByBrad Japhe,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. You can find me at the confluence of food, beverage and travel.Follow AuthorMay 15, 2026, 12:45pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryFinnish actor and entrepreneur Jasper Pääkkönen, known for "Vikings" and co-founding Helsinki's Löyly sauna, is now exporting authentic Finnish sauna culture to North America with his AITO prefabricated saunas. Finland's 3.3 million saunas are deeply ingrained in daily life, offering significant health benefits and fostering social connection. Pääkkönen highlights the sensory contrast of hot skin and a cold drink as central to the ritual, noting that while US sauna culture is often structured, Finns embrace an intuitive, social experience. Classic sauna drinks include ice-cold lager, Long Drink, or homemade berry juices, with moderation being key. The sauna is often an entire evening event, promoting sincere conversations and a unique sense of peace.Show More Jasper Pääkkönen enjoys a cold drink in the sauna.Antti RastivoAmerican cinephiles might recognize Jasper Pääkkönen as Halfdan the Black from the hit TV series Vikings. Back in his native Finland, however, the actor is a veritable superstar known not only for his appearances on screen, but for being one of the most influential figures in Nordic hospitality and wellness culture. A decade ago he co-founded Löyly, a stunningly modern sauna and restaurant-complex set beside the Baltic Sea in the heart of Helsinki. Today it enjoys status as a top tourist destination within the Finnish capital city. The Finns, for their part, have integrated sauna traditions into daily life for millennia. There you’ll find 3.3 million hotboxes in a nation filled with just 5.5 million total residents....