Nordic Spas Worth Road-Tripping To.
October 04 2023, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
Nurture your mind, body, and soul with an invigorating Nordic spa experience. Relaxation and rejuvenation are two self-care gifts we can (and should) give ourselves 365 days of the year. One blissful way to achieve them is through hydrotherapy—taking your body from hot to cold temperatures—which also soothes bodily aches, strengthens your immune system, and purifies your body. Good news for us West Coasters: we have a handful of outdoor Nordic spas in our region, delivering their own style of therapy in tranquil settings. Here are some of our favourite outdoor wellness spas worth road-tripping to—any time of year.
For a serene private spa experience, seek out AIKA Spa, which has two locations in Squamish, BC. You can book in as a couple or with a group (up to 10 people) and be at one with nature for sessions that last from 90 minutes to six hours. Amenities include a wood-fired sauna, cold plunge pools, a relaxation space, and chic food and beverage add-ons like charcuterie boards and herbal teas. AIKA Squamish Valley has a beautiful view of the mountains, while the Squamish Creekside locale pairs traditional hot and cold therapy in the rainforest with a beautiful creek for the ultimate forest bathing experience. For something a little different, AIKA also rents out their Mobile Spa for a wellness experience at home or in the wild.
Don't feel like leaving the city? Look no further than Circle Wellness. With two locations in the Lower Mainland, Circle Wellness recently welcomed its second location on Granville Island – inside a shipping container. The self-guided spa follows classic Nordic hydrotherapy with its cold plunge bath, Himalayan salt sauna, natural cedar soaking tub, and a hot stone area to relax. Circle Wellness promises an outdoor oasis right inside the heart of Vancouver's bustling city life. Spa seekers are able to book a highly coveted, private 2.5 hour spot to unwind, utilizing all of Circle Wellness's amenities without the hindrance of sharing the space with anyone else.
While not technically an outdoor spa, RITUAL Nordic Spa is definitely stop-worthy. Having opened in 2022 in Victoria, BC, RITUAL Nordic Spa has already made a name for itself as an unpretentious, restorative wellness retreat. Guests may book into a two-hour slot, then move through a network of invigorating stations at their own pace. These include a Finnish sauna, eucalyptus-infused steam room, cold plunge pool (kept at a brisk 9°C, as cold as the nearby Pacific Ocean), and Nordic bucket après-spa. Refreshments can be enjoyed at the on-site Sip + Savour lounge for a restorative kombucha or cup of tea.
Not recently opened, but better than ever, is Scandinave Spa’s Whistler, BC location. Lock away your cell phone, lower your voice, and escape into a choose-your-own-adventure hydrotherapy experience among a spruce and cedar forest. With various baths, relaxation spaces, cold plunges, and saunas, Scandinave has it all—including the option to book a massage on-site. You can even reserve VIP access to baths for a specific event, if desired. And if you’re looking to book in somewhere for the night to make a weekend of it, look no further than Scandinave’s promotion with the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Hotel.
