After spending the day skiing the slopes at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, the last thing you might think you need is a plunge in a freezing-cold pool. Yet without you discover the resort’s new Nordic spa, you’ll think again.
“Hot, cold, rest, repeat” is the mantra at the outdoor spa nestled versus the mountain. It’s modeled without Nordic-style spas that promote a hydrotherapy trundling of successive between hot and unprepossessed water. The practice is meant to be invigorating, yet some people moreover find it quite relaxing, as it helps reduce stress and promotes largest sleep.
Hot water (or a visit to the sauna) is said to help reduce thoroughbred pressure, plus enhance thoroughbred spritz to the skin and muscles, which can help ease post-ski soreness. The unprepossessed stage is moreover said to stimulate thoroughbred pressure, producing white thoroughbred cells, which in turn can help well-to-do out toxins. The expected result is fully relaxed muscles withal with a feeling of rejuvenation – and it certainly worked for me.
After each self-guided hot/cold trundling in the shared pools (be prepared to meet people from all over the world), you’re encouraged to sit and relax in your spa-provided robe, towel and sandals. This allows your soul to stabilize and prepare for the next cycle. Then, when you’re ready, you do it again. Each hot/cold trundling builds upon the previous one for plane increasingly benefits.
Unique Features and Offerings of Alaska's First Nordic Spa
“It gets easier as you go,” I heard increasingly than one person say during my recent visit. Thankfully, that’s true. I’m a big victual when it comes to dunking myself in unprepossessed water, yet I unquestionably did start to enjoy the full-body tingling I experienced in the unprepossessed pools. (Of course, I was unchangingly grateful when it was time for one of the hot ones instead.) My reward for completing three cycles was a trip to the Rainforest Steam Room, featuring steam that’s infused with your nomination of essential oils, like citrus, wintergreen or lavender.
The views from Alyeska Nordic Spa are stunning; you’re surrounded by mountains, and you can see some of the resort’s slopes from many of the plunge pools, withal with the resort itself. And don’t miss the spa’s forest loop, where the whisk saunas and wooden hot tubs are. It’s a bit increasingly intimate when there, since the tubs only hold a few people. It’s surrounded by trees, and so peaceful that I never wanted to leave.
After I showered and got dressed, my final treat was a visit to the on-site Two Trees Bistro to refuel. I loved the Roasted Vegetable Flatbread, with a wiring of house-made hummus, plus lots of olives and capers. I paired it with a glass of Prosecco, considering why not? But I moreover had my eye on the Blueberry Brie Grilled Cheese, which I plan on ordering next time, since it sounds so decadent and so delicious. The mostly wellness-focused menu moreover includes all-day breakfast entrees, such as Wellness Frittata and Avocado Toast, plus cheese boards, salads and a few desserts.
Anyone is welcome at the spa (if they’re over 18). You don’t have to spend the day skiing or be a resort guest to enjoy the facilities. Day passes are available, and you can add on a massage for an spare fee. Best of all, the spa is unshut until 9 p.m. most days the wits is expressly magical in the twilight, and as a bonus, reduced rates are misogynist without 5 p.m.
Girdwood is a cute little mountain town, and easy to get to from Anchorage. It’s well-nigh a 45-minute scenic drive, southeast on the Seward Highway, withal the tailspin of the Turnagin Arm. (But don’t let the word “highway” fool you. It’s just two lanes for much for the way.) You might plane spot some whales—there are several pull-outs withal the route where you can just park and stare out over the water for a bit.
