A Month of Warmth in Magic Wood
Road Stories · Magic Wood, Val Ferrera · October 2026
Where nünu officially opened its doors, and found more than it came for.
Hi, I’m Saskia, the founder of nünu. I love the outdoors, people and all kinds of movement. After years in tech, I now travel around with a wood-fired sauna in Switzerland, and this is the story of where it all began.
1st of October, 1 pm.
"Are you ready for some warmth?" That was the message I sent to Thomas Saluz, founder of Bodhi Climbing, while I was on my way with nünu to Magic Wood, a mossy forest by the river, best known for its incredible boulders. Climbers travel here from all over the world, and some stay for weeks or even months to explore the forest. Just a couple of weeks earlier, I had already spent a few days at the campsite with nünu for the cleanup days. But on that 1st of October, I had no idea how magical the community in Val Ferrera is, or how special this month would turn out to be.
When I arrived, a guest from the campsite helped me manoeuvre the sauna into the parking area and made me a coffee. Later, Thomas drove up in his red Volkswagen with his dog Shiva, and together we parked nünu in its spot for the month. Driving around with a massive sauna behind a pickup isn’t always easy, so having people help you is gold, let me tell you. That evening, Thomas and I had dinner together, and he invited me to stay at his home, which he generously shared with me for the whole month.
Why am I telling you all this? Because it’s the perfect example of how the community welcomed nünu and me with open arms from day one. I can’t even put into words how thankful I am for that.
Opening the doors
From Thursday to Monday, we fired up the sauna, shared the warmth and sat around the (camp)fire. Magic Wood was the very first spot where nünu officially opened its doors. I had been here and there with the sauna before, but this was the official start of the business. Welcoming the first guests was an incredible feeling!
The part nobody sees
What I didn't expect was how much the first week(s) would shake me. My life as I knew it was changing. "Am I doing the right thing?" "Am I doing it the right way?" I kind of knew this would happen, but feeling it is another story, and the unknown can be scary.
I was lying in bed, wondering what my tomorrow would look like, calling with friends, talking to some guests. Slowly, those emotions started to settle. My friends and family supported me, and then there was the magic of Magic Wood: the incredible team at Bodhi, the guests, the community, the feedback people shared, the conversations by the fire. I started focusing on why I'm doing this and let go of wondering what tomorrow looks like. A friend reminded me not to feed my anxiety and put my energy into my vision. That's how I started to see again what I'm building. I could never have imagined a better place to start nünu. Above all, true friendships were formed that I will hold very dear. And yes, that includes the dogs! I miss them already.
Yoga under the stars
Halfway through October, Naomi, founder of Apata Mind, the incredible Ali, this season's manager of the Bodhi campsite, and I hosted a Yoga, Sauna & Bar night at the campsite. Naomi guided us through a beautiful flow under the open sky, and afterwards we warmed up in the sauna, with the fire crackling and the cold night air waiting outside for the cool-down. It was exactly what I dream nünu can be: movement, warmth and people coming together.
Towards the end of the season, the campsite also hosted an end-of-season bar. Having the locals at the campsite and sharing the warmth with them was really lovely.
The last night
At the last sauna night, Uli, Chris, Elena, Basti, Marco and Naomi, who all live in Viamala, came to the sauna together. Round after round, with stories and laughter in between, it was such a cozy evening and the perfect ending to nünu's time in Magic Wood.
31st of October. It's the day nünu and I drive off to Faido. I'm cleaning nünu and getting everything ready for departure when I hear a little knock on the window. It's Ali, asking if I want a coffee. Naomi joins shortly after, and we sit together at the campsite reception. Thomas arrives as well. Ralf, Marco (aka Honeybee), his son, and Nehoray, a boulderer who has been camping there for weeks, are there too. And soon I'm off. It's not goodbye, it's see you soon!
Thank you to everyone who came and shared the warmth. Every single guest and every connection made this month means so much to me. I don't want to make this post too long, so I'll let some of the guests speak for themselves.
“We came for the warmth, found so much more and left with a friend.”
— Naomi
In their words
Naomi
Nünu saved my life!
I didn't know it then, but the timing of Nünu's arrival couldn't have been more perfect.
After a long, intense season and some personal challenges, I had slowly lost touch with my usual energy and spark.
What started as a few simple sauna sessions turned into something I never expected. A moment to slow down, to breathe, to reconnect. With every visit, my body softened, my mind quieted and little by little, I felt myself coming back to life.
But Nünu doesn't travel alone. There's Saskia, whose warmth, kindness and calming presence bring something no sauna ever could. She makes the experience feel like coming home.
Today, I'm back in my flow, chasing projects, climbing boulders and enjoying life with renewed energy.
Thank you, Nünu, for finding us when I didn't even know how much I needed you.
We came for the warmth, found so much more and left with a friend.
Wherever Nünu goes, we'll be back!
Thomas, Bodhi Climbing
Nünu Sauna brought something truly special to Magic Wood. We first welcomed Saskia for a weekend during our annual Cleanup Day, and then for the whole month of October at our Bodhi Campground . Our guests absolutely loved it! The sauna became a real highlight, creating a warm, joyful atmosphere where people could relax, recharge their bodies and spirits as well as connect with one another. It was beautiful to see the whole community come together. Thank you, Saskia and Nünu, for sharing your warmth and energy with us!
Aggy
Following recommendations from friends, life on the road had led me to a place called Magic Wood.
After a long day exploring the forest, my body was craving some good food and a proper wind-down. As I made my way back to Bodhi Campsite and approached Van-sion (a mansion, but the van version), I spotted a large mobile structure parked right on my doorstep.
The smoking chimney immediately caught my attention. I couldn't help but let out an audible: "No way. This can't be true, right?"
Well, it was!
I tend to navigate life through intuition and gut feeling. And let me tell you: when life (or Saskia) parks a beautiful, handcrafted sauna right in front of your van, there's really only one thing to do. You get in therrrr!
And wow. What an experience.
The soft lighting illuminating the beautiful wooden interior, the view of the valley through the large window, and above all, the crisp, intense heat made for a sauna session unlike any other. That particular feeling of heat brought me straight back home.
And here's another unexpected twist: Nünu had travelled all the way from my home country, Latvia , winding its way through Europe to reach Switzerland. How cool is that?
Thank you, Saskia, for such a lovely experience and the interesting conversations between sessions. It's inspiring to see you pursuing your own dreams, and I'm genuinely curious to see where the road takes you and Nünu next.
Gyde
Absolutely loved this sauna in magic wood! After a long, cold day in the forest, it was exactly what my body needed. Wood-fired oven, cold dip under the stars, mountain views, and the sweetest, most welcoming owner. 🏔️❤️
Ellie
My time at magic wood was so phenomenal especially because of nünus. Not only did it give me a wonderful reset after a hard day of climbing but Saskia was so lovely and welcoming and made me feel totally comfortable. We ended up going back every night we could the rest of the trip! Couldn't have asked for a more perfect reset.
Raphi
Wenn du campen gehst und auf einmal auch noch eine Sauna dabei hast 🥰 hat so gut gepasst nachdem man sich den ganzen Tag an kleinen Leisten Felsblöcke hochgezogen hat - für uns ein richtiges Highlight um abends so richtig zu entspannen! Riesiges Danke an Saskia und ihre tolle Idee, bin mir sicher sie wird noch ganz viele Leute damit glücklich machen 🫶
(When you go camping and suddenly there's a sauna too 🥰 after pulling yourself up boulders on tiny edges all day, it was the perfect fit and a real highlight for relaxing in the evening. Huge thanks to Saskia for her great idea – I'm sure she'll make lots of people happy with it.🫶)
Shuyee
Magic you were the one that got away
I wish our time was a little longer
I am forever grateful for time we shared
You taught me to be brave
To never give up
There were tears shed and smiles I will never forget.
You will always live rent free in my head.
What's next
nünu has moved on to Faido in Ticino for the winter. Come and share the warmth with us there! Follow the journey on Instagram @nuenu.sauna.