By Morgan Tilton
When we choose an incredible mountain location for a ski vacation—like The Tetons, Wasatch Range, or Colorado’s Rocky Mountains—it can be hard to slow down and relax when the terrain and conditions are simply too good to be true.
To offset the physical demands of travel and outdoor play, a spa date with yourself is not only relaxing but also beneficial to your overall health and wellness. Your mind, body, and spirit can thank you later.
In July 2016, more than 51 million American adults talked with their health care providers about massage therapy—and 63 percent of those physicians encouraged patients to seek a massage or recommended a massage therapist, according to the American Massage Therapy Association.
Evidence shows that massages help boost the body’s immune system, lower blood pressure, and even reduce headache frequency among a long list of other positive effects. After skiing all day, soaking up a spa treatment before a delicious dinner isn’t just idyllic, it’s a well-deserved treat.
Beaver Creek
Allegria Spa, located at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, is an all-around amazing day spa for wellness, healing, and relaxation. Most notably, the Allegria Spa can ease sore muscles after skiing or detox the traveler’s body with a soak in Aqua Sanitas, which means the “healing waters.” Modeled after ancient Roman bathhouses, visitors alternate between pools of hot and cold temperatures, which helps to increase circulation and inflammation, providing a wonderful flush of the system.
The vibe of Aqua Sanitas is so calm, you’ll never want to leave. First, you should sit in the warm, jetted Thermae pool, and then move on to the Caldarium mineral pools (separate for men and women). The Caldarium room features wintergreen-scented steam to stimulate the senses and mind. End your soaking experience in the Tepidarium room, a restful space with heated loungers and aromatic scents. The spa also offers massages, which is the perfect way to end your experience after a long and relaxing soak.
Park City/Deer Valley
Remède Spa, at the St. Regis Deer Valley, offers a top-notch luxurious healing experience near Park City, UT. Only a 10-minute drive east of Park City Mountain in nearby Deer Valley, visitors can go from the slopes to après-ski to a massage table in under an hour—maybe a bit more, if you want two cocktails instead of one.
At the spa, stroll between 11 treatment rooms, including a couples’ option for a dual massage and private heated patio. Whether you’re solo or paired, detox in the sauna or steam room, soak in the whirlpool, sip organic peppermint Tealeaves tea, and snack on healthy cashews and almonds. To zap any energy, (if you happen to have some leftover after skiing!) take yoga, pilates, stretch, or meditation classes.
Finish the evening with an invigorating massage, the best gift after a day on the slopes. Each session starts with a cooling cucumber eye treatment, and guests can choose from hot stone, Thai, or a customized massage. You can also select whether you want exfoliation or an antioxidant-rich wrap, allowing you to leave feeling like a brand new human.
Jackson Hole
After a day of iconic tram laps, balancing out sore quads at The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole is oh-so-sweet for skiers and snowboarders. This elegant spa makes the experience its own with a western, local flair. The spa features massages—including moonlight and deep tissue treatments—as well as body rituals like therapy with native stones and mountain clay body wraps. Facial skincare is a must-do after spending all day in the Tetons with the sun on your face and wind whipping around. Hit up the spa, re-hydrate every layer of your body and then grab sushi or a brew in town. After all, you’ll want to feel restored for more tram or pass laps in the morning!
Vail
Conquering Vail’s Back Bowls can take a toll on the body, which is why we recommend calling The Sebastian – Vail home for your ski vacation. Not only does this luxury accommodation feature an incredible outdoor terrace/aquatic center with plenty of hot tub and pool space, but inside the world-class Bloom Spa, guests can take advantage of a wide array of wellness opportunities including Thai Massage or even an Oxygen Inhalation Therapy for those feeling the altitude.
About the Author, Morgan Tilton
An award-winning journalist, Morgan Tilton is a Bronze medalist and two-time Finalist of the North American Travel Journalists Association Awards Competition for her travel writing. She covers adventure travel and outdoor industry news with work featured in Outside, Teton Gravity Research, SUP Magazine, Backpacker, TransWorld Snowboarding, 5280 (Denver’s city magazine), and CoBiz among others. Raised in Colorado’s stunning San Juan Mountains, she’s a mountain-ultra-trail runner and snowboarder that loves Bluegrass shows, avocados and trucker hats. Her most recent summit: she and four paddlers made the first SUP descent of Utah’s wild Escalante River. Follow Morgan’s trail @motilton and morgantilton.com.
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