Fitness & Spas

SKIN DEEP

The mountains are a harsh environment, and your skin pays the price. When it’s time to recover after a day outside, visiting one of the Canadian Rockies’ exceptional spas can be just the ticket. So sit back, relax, and give your skin the love it deserves!

For Your Face Facials are one of the most popular spa services, and they’re an accessible treatment for your first time. Facials involve several steps to repair and hydrate your skin, including cleansing, exfoliating, relaxing, and hydrating. Skincare products like masques, peels, and lotions repair the skin, while a massage will relax the muscles. For Your Body Exploring in the mountains takes a toll on your body. A massage will take care of those tight muscles, and often include moisturizing lotions. Body wraps are designed to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin, while scrubs will take care of any dead cells catching a ride. Exfoliating treatments will scrub away any imperfections. Combine these treatments and your skin will be replenished, hydrated, soothed, and ready to take on the world.

For Your Feet Your feet do a lot of work. They climb mountains, hike through the backcountry, and carry you around town. Foot treatments include everything from pedicures with nail treatments to soaks and scrubs to remove all the callouses and massages to ease tension. Essential oils can improve the skin on your feet while relaxing your muscles and reflexology can trigger lasting effects throughout your body.

It's time to treat your skin. Find your next treatment at the award-winning Willow Stream Spa (p 64), Meadow Spa and Pools (p 63), or Red Earth Spa (p 63).

FITNESS & RECREATION

BANFF RECREATION GROUNDS Soccer pitch, ball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, playground, skateboard park, picnic sites, and picnic shelters. Facilities can be booked. Cave Ave, 403-762-1235

BILL WARREN TRAINING CENTRE

Olympic-class training facility at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Personal training available. Kananaskis Conservation Pass required. Nordic Centre, 403-678-5759 ext 12, bwtccanmore.com

ELEVATION PLACE Canmore's fitness centre with 25 m/82 ft pool, leisure pool, lazy river, waterslide, and hot tub. 4.5-15 m/15-45 ft climbing wall, fitness centre with weight and cardio rooms, and classes. Rates for full facility, swimming, gym, or climbing. 700 Railway Ave, Canmore, 403-678-8920, canmore.ca/ recreation-facility/elevation-place

SALLY BORDEN FITNESS 25 m/82 ft pool with outdoor sun deck. Steam rooms, climbing gym, and fitness centre. Classes, personal training, massage, and physiotherapy. Banff Centre, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr, 403-762-6450, banffcentre.ca

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HOT SPRINGS

BANFF UPPER HOT SPRINGS

Relax in natural mineral springs with exceptional views of the surrounding peaks. Outdoor pool with soothing waters at 40°C/104°F. Restored heritage bathhouse with café and gift shop. Historic or modern swimsuit, towel, and locker rentals. Hot Springs are available on a first come, first served basis. 1 Mountain Ave, 403-762-1515, hotsprings.ca/banff

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SOOTHING SOAK

The mountains are known for their soothing mineral waters. Take advantage of the natural healing hot springs at Banff Upper Hot Springs (below) and soak those sore muscles away. For a dedicated swim, visit Elevation Place (left) in Canmore or the Sally Borden Fitness Centre (left), Banff's only indoor swimming pool. For a relaxing soak with incredible views, stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs or the Moose Hotel to enjoy their rooftop pools. -KATE BARKER

SPAS & MASSAGE

KANANASKIS NORDIC SPA Hot, warm, cold, and saltwater pools. Massage, yoga, and relaxation lounge. Kananaskis Village, 403-591-6800

MEADOW SPA AND POOLS

Indulgent spa experiences in a tranquil environment. Peaceful relaxation lounge and private outdoor hot pool complete the spa escape. Therapeutic, hot stone, sleep enhancing, and couples massage. Deluxe manicures, pedicures, and facials. Packages available. Moose Hotel & Suites, 345 Banff Ave, 403-760-8577, banffmeadowspa.com

RAPUNZEL’S SALON AND SPA

Ultimate experience using sustainable flower essences. Massages, wraps, and polishes. Makeup, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Hair salon with bridal services. 602 Bow Valley Tr, Canmore. 403-678-2626, rapunzelshairsalonspa.ca

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RED EARTH SPA Relax in serenity and quietness. Full spa services including relaxation, hot stone, shiatsu, and therapeutic massages. Facials, waxing, manicures, and pedicures. Treatments for couples and men. Top quality products including Eminence, Skinceuticals, SpaRitual, Well, and O.P.I. Spa clients also have access to the hotel’s hot pool and exercise room. Caribou Lodge, 521 Banff Ave, 403-762-9292, redearthspa.com

RIMROCK SPA Pre-natal, pro-sleep, couples, and hot stone massage. Facials, manicures, pedicures, wraps, and waxing. Packages and bridal services. Rimrock Resort, 300 Mountain Ave, Banff. 403-762-1835 ext 1

TEMPLE MOUNTAIN SPA at The Post Hotel. Body wraps, scrubs, and polishes. Therapeutic, hot stone, and aromatherapy massage. Facials, manicures, pedicures. Packages. 200 Pipestone Rd, Lake Louise, 403-522-3989

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THE SPA at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Day spa offering aromatherapy, therapeutic, and couples massages. Facials, body experiences, and salon services. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 403-522-1545

VERDE DAY SPA Full spa services. Organic products and expert practitioners will help you relax, even after your most stressful day. Three locations in the Canadian Rockies: 901 C, Main St, Canmore; Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Banff; Blackstone Lodge, Canmore, 403-678-0306

WILDFLOWER Therapeutic, cupping, myofascial therapy release, reflexology, aromatherapy, hot stone, Thai, and couples massages. Reiki, scrubs, wraps, nail services. 2nd fl, 713 Main St, Canmore, 403-678-4644 WILLOW STREAM SPA Awardwinning luxury resort spa with waterfalls, whirlpools, fireplace lounges, saunas, steam rooms, and more. Unwind in this serene alpine sanctuary for pampering, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Offering a wide range of massages, facials, body treatments, and salon services. Pools, lounges, and change rooms are open. For more than a century, travelers have flocked to this beautiful wild place on journeys of wellness and healing. Fairmont Banff Springs, 403-762-1772, fairmont.com/banff-springs/spa

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FIND YOUR ENERGY

FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS

YOGA

BANFF YOGA PRACTICE Yoga and wellness studio in Banff offering yoga classes, aerial and pre-natal yoga, reiki training, workshops, teacher training, private classes, and more. 111 Banff Ave, 403-985-2233

CANMORE HOT YOGA Heated room protects muscles from over stretching during hot yoga. Also offering aerial yoga with hammocks to assist with poses. 1002 8 Ave Canmore. 403-675-9642

FLOW STATE Warm and welcoming studio for everyone, from long time practitioners of yoga, to adventure enthusiasts, endurance athletes, and beginners. Book online or via email. 211 Bear St, Banff

THE YOGA LOUNGE Family owned yoga studio offering classes, workshops, and achievable challenges. In person, online, and recorded classes available. 826 Main St, Canmore. 403-678-6687

WILDHEART YOGA STUDIO

Offering yoga and low impact barre cardio classes for everyone. Online or in studio classes available. App for Apple and Android devices accesses over 300 classes with new content added every week. 804 6 Ave, Canmore. 403-675-0722