Imagine relaxing in a hot pool with the snowy Rocky Mountains on the horizon, enjoying the fresh sea breeze of the Atlantic Ocean, or seeing the northern lights jump across the night sky. Want to go for a swim as snowflakes tickle your face? Then you need to visit these five Canadian outdoor heated pools in the winter.
This article was originally written for & featured on NorthAmericanTraveller.com. Continue reading the full article below.
1. Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain, Ontario
You can find this luxurious spa tucked away in the Ontario forest. They offer the full Scandinavian bath experience year-round. Snowy banks and pine trees accent their outdoor heated pools in the wintertime. In true Scandinavian fashion, you can warm up in their outdoor heated bath then cool off under the Nordic Waterfalls. Alternatively, if you’re feeling playful, you could go for a quick roll in the snow! Afterwards, you can unwind by the outdoor fireplaces. The balanced mix of hot and cold stimulates blood circulation and releases endorphins. The experience will leave you feeling relaxed and energized.
2. Takhini Hot Springs, Yukon
These hot springs have been a popular destination for over a century. The thermal water is full of healthy minerals that get absorbed through your skin as you soak in the pools. In particular, calcium sulphates, magnesium, and silica help alleviate joint and muscle pain. The humidity from the pools forms a heavy crystalline frost on everything around them, from the trees to your hair! The real magic happens after the sun sets and the stars come out; the northern lights can be seen dancing across the Yukon sky.
3. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta
This Lodge first opened its doors in 1922 and has always been a popular spot for celebrities, Royalty, and tourists alike. The log cabins face towards Lac Beauvert’s blue-green waters that turn white with snow and ice in the winter. The outdoor heated pool and hot tub are located right beside the lake and are open year-round for everyone to enjoy. They give you a panoramic view of the frosted landscape framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
4. Nature Spa Chance Harbour, New Brunswick – Is currently closed, but check out new number 4 below
This Nordic-style spa is nestled along the coastline of Southern New Brunswick. Their Hot Pool is a short distance away from the shoreline making it easy to take a “polar bear dip” in the Atlantic Ocean. After cooling off in the sea, you can warm up in their wood-fired Finland Sauna with a glass wall facing towards the Bay of Fundy. With snowy trees draped around the Hot Pool, this spa offers an intimate winter seaside experience.
New Number 4 – KŌV Nordic Spa, New Brunswick
Located along the coastline of Southern New Brunswick, this Nordic spa offers private small and large group experiences and private weekday date nights and hosts drop-in events. They are also close enough to the ocean (when the tide is high) to do your cold plunge in the maritime salty sea. Read all about my experience going there with a large private group for a friend’s birthday – “KŌV Nordic Spa: A Wood-Fired Retreat Near Saint John”
5. Halcyon Hot Springs and Spa, British Columbia
These soothing pools offer a waterfront view of the beautiful Upper Arrow Lake with the Monsahee Mountains in the background. In the winter, these views become whimsical as the snow takes over the lake and mountains. The hot springs heating the pools travel from deep underground, carrying with it healthy minerals including high levels of lithium. At this resort, the water is so pure you can buy bottles to drink in the gift shop! With water temperatures reaching up to 42 degrees Celsius, these pools will keep you comfortable as the snowfalls.
Going for a hot-dip during the winter is not just relaxing; it is good for your health. Cycling between the hot and cold temperatures promotes circulation and works the body’s cardiovascular system. The thermal waters at the hot springs offer many healing properties. In the Yukon, they’re known to help with body pain and inflammation while the lithium-rich water in BC has antidepressant properties. After experiencing any of these hot pools, your body will feel tranquil and rejuvenated. Which one will you try first?
Bonus – 6. La Belle Cabane, Saint John, New Brunswick
Nestled in the serene forests of Saint John, New Brunswick, La Belle Cabane offers a unique blend of relaxation and cultural immersion. This Indigenous-owned forest retreat features private spa pods equipped with amenities like dry and steam saunas, cold cedar plunges, hot tubs, heated stone beds, and infrared saunas with halotherapy. Cozy cabins and delightful Indigenous culinary experiences complete the package. Whether you’re planning a girls’ trip, a birthday celebration, or just a peaceful escape, La Belle Cabane provides the perfect setting.
Read all about my experience visiting this fantastic spa with friends – “Girls’ Trip to La Belle Cabane: A Forest Spa Experience in Saint John, NB”
See my other articles featured on North American Traveller here
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