Hot. Warm. Cold. Rest. Repeat. This is the ‘mantra’ that you need to know in order to make the most of a day at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa. 

Approximately 100km/62m (1hr) drive west of Calgary, the Kananaskis Nordic Spa is a hydrotherapy spa located at Kananaskis Village. A luxurious retreat for those in need of some well deserved rest and relaxation, this is the place to forget about work and to focus on your wellbeing. The hydrotherapy pools along with the magnificent backdrop of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains will take you away.

Keep reading to learn more about …

How to Spend a Day at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post. I paid for my own entry to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa and was not asked to write about my experience. All opinions are my own as always, but photos may not be! Photo credits are given where not.

COVID restrictions:  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all services and amenities described below, may not be available. Please check with the Kananaskis Nordic Spa if you are visiting during the pandemic.

Hot. Warm. Cold. Rest. Repeat.

The ‘mantra’, Hot. Warm. Cold. Rest. Repeat., is all you need to let go and to forget about the outside world. This is the recommended order to follow while spending a day at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa. Of course you don’t have to follow this regimen but it allows your body to get the full benefits of the hydrotherapy cycle.

There are five pools, two hot, two warm, and one cold, as well as four saunas and a steam room, giving you many choices for each step of the cycle.

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Step 1 (Hot)

First, start off with HOT. Choices for HOT are either of the two ‘Hot’ pools (35-40° C/95-104° F), one of the saunas, or the steam cabin. This is the starting point to ‘nirvana’! 

(Believe it or not, the pictures below were taken on the same day. It was snowing when we first got to the spa, then about 20 minutes later the sun came out!)

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Step 2 (Warm)

Second stop should be the one for the two ‘Warm’ pools, heated to 32-38° C (90-100° F), slightly cooler but still so beautiful (and my favorite!).

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Step 3 (Cold)

Third, the ‘Cold’ pool, sitting between 5-10° C (41-50° F), is a tough one. My first dip, I did the full body plunge and it definitely woke me up. Boy, did it hurt! Luckily the thermal robes they provided gave me the comfort I needed and the ‘cold’ pool was soon forgotten (until the next cycle!).

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Step 4 (Rest)

Next, is ‘step 4’, ‘Rest’. There are many ‘rest’ areas. You can choose one of the giant outdoor fire cauldrons they have, throwing off heat and a warm glow, or the indoor lounge area with fireplaces and comfy couches. Winterized hammocks are another option. Wrap up, zip yourself in, and have a nice little snooze. Or curl up in a ‘cocoon’ hanging from giant tripods in the trees. (Please note, during COVID, all ‘rest’ options may not be available.)

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Step 5 (Repeat)

And the last step, ‘Repeat’. Do it all again!

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Exfoliation Room

Finally, finish off your spa experience in the exfoliation room. Using the salts provided in your locker, gently scrub your body, then follow with a hot shower. Your skin will feel amazingly soft!

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The Spa

Massage treatments are also available for an extra charge, however if you book a massage, access to the hydrotherapy pools is included (may vary during COVID-19 pandemic). Be sure to book in advance as they tend to fill up months ahead.

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Two Trees Bistro

If you get hungry, there is no need to leave as Two Trees Bistro is located on site. They serve delicious and healthy choices such as soup and salad, cheese trays, and wine and beer. Ok, maybe the wine and beer isn’t so healthy, but it’s so good! This is also a perfect place for your ‘rest’ cycle. They have indoor and outdoor seating with views of the entire spa.

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What do you need to Bring?

Besides a swimsuit, water bottle, hat and sunscreen, not really anything. They provide you with a locker & key where you can leave your personal belongings. Inside the locker you will find a robe, shoes, a towel (you can get more towels if you need) and their signature bath salts for the exfoliation room. 

Mens and ladies locker rooms are separate. Inside the locker rooms there are showers, hairdryers, shampoos and soaps. Almost everything you need is there.

Other Good to Know Info

Be sure to plan your visit. They do not take reservations (see below for visiting during COVID-19). Access to the spa is on a first come, first serve basis, and wait times can be 2-3 hrs. They run a waitlist which you can put your name down on, and they will call you when they have space. If you are there first thing in the morning when they open, it’s less busy, so getting in isn’t as much of an issue. You may even have the pools to yourself for a short time. 

The Kananaskis Nordic spa is an adults only facility for 18+. No children are allowed.

Cell phones and cameras are not allowed to respect the privacy of other customers. We visited during the pandemic so the spa could only accommodate private bookings which allowed us to take photos.

There is a small boutique store at the entrance to the spa, selling candles, water bottles, clothing and other items. You can also purchase a Kananaskis Spa robe there.

Visiting during COVID-19

If you are planning to visit during the pandemic, please see the Kananaskis Nordic Spa website as access and reservation requirements vary depending on the current restrictions implemented by the Government of Alberta. Reservations may be required.

Overall

A day at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa is really an amazing experience and if you are in the area I would definitely recommend spending at least half a day here. Nothing cures stress and relaxes the body like the hydrotherapy pools combined with fresh mountain air and the stunning views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. If you have the time, consider spending a night at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge; I guarantee you won’t want to leave!

Stay safe!

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