Kananaskis Nordic Spa: tips for enjoying this great mountain escape

You’ve probably never had a spa visit like the unique alpine experience being offered at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa. Like any girl, I love to get pampered at the spa. There’s nothing like a little rest and relaxation to help you wind down from the daily grind of life, family, kids, work and more.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, just 45 minutes west of Calgary, the Kananaskis Nordic Spa is earning some rave reviews and for good reason. Focusing on a mix of hydrotherapy and massage, the spa offers large and inviting outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms in a beautiful mountain setting.  While the pools may seem like the star of the resort, the spa experience is complemented with a minimalist menu of massage therapy options that include aromatherapy, deep tissue, and hot stone treatments as well.

Find wellness and relaxation at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa

The Nordic Spa was inspired by ancient Scandinavian wellness practices with a decidedly Canadian influence. For instance, the hydrotherapy cycle involves rotating through hot, medium, cold, and rest steps, whether that’s going into the hot pool, the steam room or the cold plunge pool. Add in the amazing peaks and forests as the backdrop and it’s no wonder the stress just fades away. Repeat the cycle again and just let the goodness flow through.

If the pools and saunas aren’t restful enough, the spa also has set up a lovely array of Adirondack chairs to lounge in. The hammocks are beyond cozy with a sleeping bag cover that lets your burrow in and catch a few zzz’s while you swing gently in the breeze. A major bright spot is the firepit cauldron that lets off that smoky campfire scent all around you.

A highlight of the spa for me has to be the exfoliation room. Guests are provided with a luscious salt scrub to use inside the steamy shower room.  This allows the oils and salt to slough all the dead skin while moisturizing your body at the same time. I found it to be a really refreshing experience to be in such a hot room and then taking a cold shower to rinse off the scrub. My skin felt so amazing afterwards that I did the salt scrub at the beginning and the end of my visit (as recommended by the spa staff). It was so nice to go home taking some of that spa feeling with me.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa tips

• Don’t worry about losing your stuff. Secure lockers, slippers and towels provided.
• Bring a book or magazine to enjoy your quiet time.
• Pool time makes you hungry. Bring some snacks to keep in your locker or head up to the Two Trees Bistro for a drink.
• Pool time makes you parched. Bring your own water bottle to refill at the water stations.
• The shower room provides shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers and straighteners to help you out with your beauty regime. Do make sure to bring your own body lotion.
• Visit mid-week if you can! You might even get a great weekday deal during slow season. Weekends are busiest (obviously).

The Kananaskis Nordic Spa is now open seven days a week. Visit knordicspa.com for full details. UPDATE: Due to the pandemic, please make sure to check their website for the latest COVID-19 protocols.

#hosted: Thanks to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa for hosting me at their venue. It was an amazing day!