A view from inside PLUNJ Park City’s bathhouse, where the cold plunge sits beneath a frosted window bearing the studio’s name. The minimalist space reflects the Nordic-inspired simplicity of the hot–cold–rest ritual central to the PLUNJ experience. Photo: PLUNJ Park City

PARK CITY, Utah — After a family trip to Norway, Kimberly Ence, a longtime Park City resident and hospitality industry veteran, returned home with a renewed vision: to bring the simplicity of Scandinavian contrast therapy to her mountain community. This vision has culminated in PLUNJ Park City, a Nordic-style bathhouse built around one fundamental regime — hot, cold, rest, repeat.

“In Scandinavia, they keep it simple — it’s just the sauna and the sea, the hot and the cold,” Ence explained. “That’s what we replicate at PLUNJ Park City. The only additions to the Nordic experience are hot tea, honey, and a fluffy white towel.”

Kimberly and her husband, Derek, not only own the Park City location but are also partners in PLUNJ’s expanding national presence. “We come from decades of experience in the hospitality industry, so PLUNJ is a natural fit,” she added. New locations are set to open in Texas, Colorado, Nevada, California, Missouri, Florida, Tennessee , and Arizona within the next year. New York, Virginia, and Washington are also “in the works, but not nailed down,” Ence shared.

However, her commitment remains rooted in Park City. “Most of all, I’m a Parkite who wants to create community,” she said, highlighting the diverse range of locals who have visited the bathhouse — from runners and Nordic skiers to teenagers, mothers, and first responders.

PLUNJ Park City’s custom stainless-steel cold plunge tub sits at the center of the studio’s hot-cold-rest ritual, paired with ADA-accessible design, minimalist seating and a wide mountain-view window that anchors the calming space. Photo: PLUNJ Park City

Filling a Gap in the Wellness Landscape

Kimberly describes Park City’s wellness scene as crowded with high-end self-care options but lacking accessible recovery spaces. “Park City has a multitude of activities and expensive self-care businesses, but it lacks affordable recovery options,” she noted. “PLUNJ focuses on sauna and cold plunge therapy — simple, affordable recovery.”

What sets PLUNJ apart, according to her, is quality and regulation. “We are 5-star and affordable,” Kim emphasized. The bathhouse’s proprietary stainless-steel cold plunge tubs meet ADA accessibility standards and are regulated by the Summit County Health Department — a rarity in the industry. “They monitor our cleanliness and safety, allowing us to provide Park City with an exceptionally clean and safe cold plunge experience.”

A guest prepares to enter the cold plunge at PLUNJ Park City, taking in the quiet mountain view that frames the studio’s minimalist, Nordic-inspired recovery space. Photo: PLUNJ Park City

Ritual Built for Mountain Life

At the core of the PLUNJ experience is the balance between the heat of the sauna and the shock of cold water: the rest period. Sleek black Loll chairs are strategically placed as part of the cycle.

“Many people don’t realize the importance of REST between modalities,” Ence explained. After the plunge, clients are encouraged to sit, sip tea, and feel the cold-water endorphin rush before returning to the sauna. “The chairs and rest are crucial parts of our contrast regimen.”

Guests share a light moment in PLUNJ Park City’s cold plunge, highlighting the social, mood-lifting side of contrast therapy that owner Kim says often transforms the energy of a group. Photo: PLUNJ Park City

A Space for Recovery and Emotional Reset

While PLUNJ is popular among skiers, cyclists, and outdoor athletes, Ence emphasizes that the benefits extend well beyond physical recovery. “The mental and emotional advantages of contrast therapy are incredible and undeniable,” she said.

She recalled one Saturday when a group of first responders dealing with PTSD arrived at the bathhouse. “When the group of 13 entered, they were subdued, and the atmosphere was heavy,” she described. As they moved through the hot-and-cold cycle together, a transformation occurred. “They left PLUNJ with a different energy: chatting, laughing, relaxed, and smiling. PLUNJ is magical that way.”

A guest pours water over the sauna stones at PLUNJ Park City, releasing a burst of heat and steam that anchors the traditional Nordic cycle of hot, cold and rest. Photo: PLUNJ Park City

Overcoming Challenges to Build Something Intentional

Launching the Park City location required some tough choices. Instead of opting for a high-visibility storefront, Kim chose a quieter site off Old Highway 40 to ensure easy access and ample parking. “Location and parking are always challenges in Park City,” she acknowledged. “We sacrificed storefront visibility for accessibility and a peaceful, unobstructed view of the sunrise.”

The most significant challenge was designing cold plunge tubs that met accessibility and health regulations. “We spent 18 months working with a stainless steel fabricator in Denver, aquatic engineers, and the Utah Department of Health,” Ence shared. The final design allows wheelchair users to roll up and use a transfer wall for safe entry. “It may seem like a small detail, but it’s huge to me. It reflects our dedication to the space, our brand, and our community.”

A guest warms up with hot tea between rounds of the hot–cold cycle at PLUNJ Park City, underscoring the studio’s emphasis on rest as a key part of the contrast-therapy ritual. Photo: PLUNJ Park City

Looking Ahead

PLUNJ’s corporate vision includes creating a national network in the next three to five years; however, Ence remains focused on her local community. “My PLUNJ Park City perspective focuses on just a few hours ahead,” she explained. “Who is coming in? Is it their birthday? Their anniversary? Are they alone or with a group? Should I dim the lights? Add ice to the plunge? Try a new essential oil in the sauna?”

Whether she is planning for a few hours or several years down the line, her guiding intention remains the same. “Looking ahead, whether it’s five hours or five years from now, I envision happy guests and a vibrant community.”