Earlier this week I had the privilege of taking a day off work in the middle of the week to experience a day of tranquillity and ultimate relaxation with my husband, as we ventured to the Scandinave Spa at Blue Mountain.
Back in June of 2018, I turned 30 and was generously gifted with a gift card to experience the Scandinave Spa. It was very exciting to not only receive such a gift but also to be able to find out what all the hype was regarding the Scandinave Spa. I have never before experienced a massage, honestly, the thought of one sounded lovely but in many ways, I was also a tad nervous. Anyone who knows me knows that I rarely am nervous, but I am incredibly ticklish and jumpy so the thought of a massage sometimes made me feel uncomfortable; yes, the total opposite of how a massage is supposed to make you feel. Nevertheless, it was always something I wanted to try, and now I had all the more reason to give it a shot.
For those of you who do not know, the Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain is a unique hydrotherapy experience offering guests a variety of massage therapy options as well as outdoor spas, hot springs, saunas, etc. As their website explains,
“Hydrotherapy as an effective way of releasing tensions in both the mind and the body is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years. The cycle of hot-cold-relax is proven to both energize and rest the body, improving blood circulation and activating the lymphatic system to help detoxification. It also actively promotes the release of endorphins, also known as the “well-being hormones”. Revived. Body & Mind.”
With it being -20 degrees Celcius, what better time to try out an outdoor spa than in February? Oh, Canada! Well, truth be told, as I mentioned before, I was gifted with the certificate to the spa in June, and the goal was for my husband and me to go in August (around our wedding anniversary), but to no surprise, the spa books up months and months in advance. Finding a weekend timeslot is next to impossible unless you book months ahead or there is a cancellation. However, everyone told us that the spa was really enjoyable in the winter, but I am sure is amazing year round, so we were not discouraged about not going in the warmer months, we really just wanted to go!
After having to change our spa day about 2 or 3 times due to scheduling conflicts, illness etc. we finally were able to go this past Tuesday. A few days leading up to the spa day, my husband caught a really nasty flu (from me) and he had a lingering cough that didn’t seem to want to go away. Worried that we might have to cancel AGAIN, we tried our best to make sure he was well rested and taking the appropriate medications to kiss that cough bye-bye. He was getting better and better the closer we got to Tuesday, so we were once again hopeful that we finally were going to the Spa. Monday morning rolled around and Simcoe County (and surrounding area) was hit with a nasty snow storm. Yeah, nasty is putting it lightly… the major highways were closed, schools even closed, and wind gusts up to 80km/hr with 15cm of snowfall. Did I mention the Spa is in Blue Mountain (Collingwood, Ontario) That’s an important detail…
We live just over an hour away from Collingwood, and the only way to get there was to travel through this snowmageddon that was happening. I was confident that the driving conditions would improve overnight and come Tuesday morning, the drive would be a lot less messy and we wouldn’t be risking our lives all in the name of a day at the spa. When Tuesday morning arrived, we took our time and gave ourselves plenty of extra time to arrive. Our massages were not until 11:30 anyway, so we did have ample time to get there. After travelling through mild drifting snow, we pulled up to the spa ready for a day of quiet and relaxation.
Upon checking in, we were each given a set of towels as well as a robe, and we made our way down the steps into the changerooms. Each changeroom is equipped with showers, a coatroom, lockers and ample changing space with vanities. The spa does not allow cellphone use, so you have to lock up your phone with your clothes; which makes for the ultimate unplugging and relaxation experience. Honestly, it was really great to unwind and not worry about checking emails, Facebook, or Instagram. After changing for our massage, we met on the other end of the changerooms and headed toward the Massage Rooms.
To my surprise, I survived the massage with little to no ticklish moments. The therapist explained that he would be applying medium intensity and would work any problem areas at my request. To no surprise, I found my shoulders to have the most tension and this section was the most painful, but it was a good pain! The only really ticklish part was my feet, but that was expected considering I can’t make it through a pedicure without laughing! I noticed a difference immediately after the massage was over, and I definitely need to treat myself to one more often.
After our 60 minute massage, we changed into our swimsuits and headed outside. First, we went to the sauna, followed by hot baths and we even ventured into the cold plunge baths as part of the hot-cold-relax circuit. One of the best parts of the day was being in a serene, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for most of the day; you don’t realize how much you really need the quiet and calm until the day is done.
While the day at the spa is pricey, it definitely is worthwhile to treat yourself and have a beautiful, relaxing day with your partner. My husband and I were very appreciative to have that experience together, as we have been together for 14 years and still love finding new things to do together. I’d love to revisit the spa, perhaps next time for a girls day? Whose coming with me?
Thanks for reading my blog. For more information on the Scandinave Spa check out their website:
https://www.scandinave.com/blue-mountain/en/experience-blue-mountain/
Five Feet High Thoughts 