Cold winters have made saunas and hot soaks a natural fit for the state's wellness scene. The same climate that tests South Dakotans also sends them looking for ways to slow down.

Wellness studios pair saunas with cold plunges and steam.

What sets it apart

The region's Scandinavian heritage lends the trend deep roots. That detail is easy to overlook, but it helps explain the pull this place has on locals and visitors alike.

Contrast therapy has drawn athletes and winter-weary locals alike.

Why it matters

Taken together, these threads say something about South Dakota itself — a place where the old and the new sit close together. For a growing number of South Dakotans, that kind of reset has become part of the routine.