A hot springs destination in Colorado has marked a “major” expansion.

And it’s not exactly the expansion you’d expect at a soaking retreat.

In Glenwood Springs, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is calling its newly opened Sauna Summit “the country’s most diverse sauna collection” that achieves “a first-of-its-kind contrast therapy destination.”

The contrast is felt between five saunas and three cold plunges that recently opened, joining 32 pools Iron Mountain counts.

“The Sauna Summit fills a gap in the region’s wellness landscape,” explained a news release, which quoted General Manager Aaron McCallister: “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 release described a new steam room that “supports skin detoxification and promotes respiratory relief” along with a “traditional” sauna of dry heat that “is known to boost circulation, support muscle recovery and reduce stress.” Those were two among three other additions listed in the news release, all poolside in variously shaped structures.

A South Korean-inspired sauna of radiant heat and red light is said to foster “joint comfort and cellular recovery.” A Polish-inspired salt sauna is also aimed at respiratory and skin health and “relaxation with mineral-infused air.” And a Russian-inspired, herbal-infused aromatherapy sauna “can stimulate circulation, ease muscle tension and calm the nervous system.”

The saunas follow a worldly trend for Iron Mountain Hot Springs. In 2023, 12 themed pools opened along the Colorado River under the new ownership of WorldSprings, a venture looking to expand beyond Colorado, Texas and Utah.

“When we acquired Iron Mountain Hot Springs six years ago, the vision was to create a truly outstanding wellness attraction in America,” WorldSprings co-founder Rob Kramer said in the news release. The Sauna Summit “accomplishes that objective,” he said.

Those Colorado River-side WorldSprings pools are accessed by a pass for visitors 21 and older. The same Premier Access pass includes the Sauna Summit, along with Iron Mountain’s original 16 pools overlooking the river.

The passes range in price, depending on dates and options for full day or three-hour access. Ironmountainhotsprings.com showed March prices between $75-$150.