Unwind at The Spa
By Blair Kaplan Venables
Over the years, Whistler has developed a reputation for being an escape from reality where couples come not only to have fun but to connect or reconnect on a deeper level. With a bounty of activities available, few can compare to the experience of going to the spa. When your bodies have surrendered to a revitalizing treatment, and life’s tensions are released, you are compelled to relax and be in the moment. Accounts of the various spa experiences are woven through Whistler’s long list of praise and accolades, so why not indulge your senses, and make a spa adventure with your partner an integral part of the vacation?
The Four Seasons Spa in the Upper Village has created an exclusive treatment focused on rejuvenation after an exciting day experiencing Whistler. The Maple & Stone seasonal winter treatment, which is ideal for enjoying with your significant other, uses hand-made maple dowels and warmed basalt stones in a sport-style massage. Organic essential oils of wintergreen, black spruce and balsam fir are used, along with hydrating and anti-inflammatory arnica lotion that will soothe and warm your bodies.
“When we design our seasonal treatments, we try to keep in mind the elements of the stunning environment that surrounds us and incorporate the seasonal elements into the treatment,” says Jackie Goldbloom, lead therapist, who designed this treatment. “We wanted to create a blend that had elements of the woods of B.C., as that’s what you smell when you are on the slopes.”
There is no better way to wrap up a day full of Whistler fun than to succumb to this euphoric treatment. The scents and products used will help strengthen your bond to nature, while this utopian experience is sure to be ingrained in your memories.
The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge, next to the tranquil shores of Nita Lake in Creekside, offers various treatments and services for you to enjoy, and has three rooms that accommodate couples. You can experience most body treatments on their spa menu, including their ila® Couples Connect. Specifically created for you and your partner to experience in unison, it includes a body scrub, the Kundalini massage and Ananda facial therapy, then finishes with nourishing warm oil poured over your third eye and hair, which is known as Shirodara.
“This sensual ritual helps calm the nervous system and promotes reconnection on a physical, emotional and spiritual level,” says Manager Hannah Edwards. “It draws on the strength of three exquisite oils — Rose (the oil of love), Orange Blossom (bliss) and Jasmine (for stimulating the flow of love) — to encourage a beautiful union of body, mind, and soul … a perfect experience for couples.”
This two-hour treatment is a unique experience that will leave you feeling relaxed and may strengthen your bond with one another. Also, starting mid-December you can wrap up your passionate spa date with a romantic glass of Champagne, while still wrapped in your cozy robe without having to leave the spa.
Vida Spa, located in the iconic Fairmont Chateau Whistler, is where many couples go to experience a hot stone massage together. This treatment is ideal for easing muscle pain while relaxing your body. Your therapist will use warm basalt stones along with a Swedish-style technique. The heat from the stones allows for increased muscle relaxation, which makes it perfect for those colder days.
“Couples treatments are on the rise and guests continue to look for unique and effective offerings that they can enjoy together. A treatment at Vida Spa offers couples quality time together while achieving mind-body balance,” says Allison Hegedus, president at Vida Spa. If you are a couple who prefers talking throughout your massages and you just can’t get enough of each other, then it’s suggested that you book the couples’ room. However, if you prefer to shut off, book your massages in individual rooms and meet up afterwards. It is important to note, though, that this treatment tends to have the added noise of clinking stones. Upon completion of your massages, you can relax together in the lounge or enjoy the health club facilities.
Escaping to the Scandinave Spa Whistler is something that everyone must add to their Whistler bucket list. Slipping into their plush robes and entering their silent mountainside oasis can help bring couples closer together. Located only a few minutes north of Whistler Village, it’s easy to feel like you are worlds away from reality.
“Spending the day at the Scandinave Spa is the perfect guilty pleasure as you can let time slip away without worrying about emails, text messages, phone calls or social media, and simply reconnect with each other,” says Jen Girardi, sales and marketing manager. “It is important that we give ourselves permission to disconnect and focus on our personal wellness.”
Their phone-free digital detox combined with their no-talking rule enforces relaxation but also encourages being present with your partner on a deeper level. “Some may find it hard to resist the urge to talk, but simply being together while enjoying the experience in the moment is sometimes all we need to reconnect,” added Girardi. “Most of us take the time to recharge our phones regularly, but we often forget the importance of recharging our relationships with time spent together.”
