The Whistler/Blackcomb Mountains draw people from all over the world to ski. While Whistler is well known as a ski/snowboard resort, it has also become increasing well known as a year around resort. We went to Whistler October 29- November 5, just before the start of ski season to check out spas. This time of year is known as the shoulder season.
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| Whistler Village © Spaswinefood |
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| Blackwood © Spaswinefood |
There is a lot of evidence of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics still visible around Whistler. Whistler hosted some of competitions.
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2010 Winter Olympic Symbol Whistler Village © Spaswinefood
Whistler considers itself to be a North American premier destination for health and wellness. In fact Whistler’s Official Tourism Website has a section devoted to health and wellness, with spas being promoted as one of the primary ways to achieve this. There is also wellness events website that promotes wellness events and services in Whistler. Each year Whistler hosts a wellness week.
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| Whistler Village © Spaswinefood |
There are a lot of opportunities to engage in fitness activities year around in Whistler. Whether you want to walk, bike or cross country ski Whistler has many wonderful trails.
It was great to be in Whistler for Halloween weekend. There was an exciting buzz around town.
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| Lots of pumpkins around Whistler Village © Spaswinefood |
It was also a perfect time to check out spas just before the official start of the ski season on November 25th. There was no problem making spa reservations. Whistler has around 20 spas. Since a week is too short to try all, I will focus on only those that I was able to visit and research.
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| Entrance to spa © Spaswinefood |
The Avello Spa has 24 treatment rooms and lounges. They offer over 70 treatments provided by experienced body and skin care specialists. Their massage professional include a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, Reiki and Reflexology Therapists and a registered Acupuncturist.
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| Check-in area © Spaswinefood |
We visited the Avello Spa and Health Club during the shoulder season so we took advantage of two of its promotions. My husband had the 50-minute deep tissue message and I had the 80 minute milk bath and facial.
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| Waiting for treatment © Spaswinefood |
We both were very pleased with our treatments. At the time of our visit non-hotel guests who receive treatments at the spa also got to use the health club at no extra charge.
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| Entrance to health club © Spaswinefood |
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| Entrance to outdoor pool © Spaswinefood |
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| Relaxing in the hot tub © Spaswinefood |
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| Spa time © Spaswinefood |
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| Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Four Seasons Hotel © Spaswinefood |
The spa offers a wide variety of services. These services include spa escape promotions, massages and treatments such as signature, body, facial, Seasonally-Inspired (e.g. Fall), Truly Canadian and hand and foot. During the shoulder season non-hotel guests who take advantage of special promotions at the spa may also use the hot tub and pool area at no extra charge. Prior to my treatment I did the following walk through:
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| Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Spa time © Spaswinefood |
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| Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
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| Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
I booked a Fall-inspired treatment called Fall Off The Vine Massage. The massage was probably the best I ever had. I can easily see why they have a top rating!
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| Pool area at Four Seasons Resort © Spaswinefood |
The total spa facility at the Four Seasons is first class. It is a must visit.
Scandinave Spa is a Day and Resort Spa just minutes north of Whistler Village. It has a beautiful mountain location in the forest on the edge of Lost Lake. Scandinave offers two major types of treatment -- Scandinavian bath and Massage. The Scandinavian bath treatment (hydrotherapy) is a recommended three-step process. It begins with a hot bath or sauna. The bath is followed by cool water rinse in a shower, or waterfall or cool bath. In addition to hydrotherapy the spa offers five types of massages. They are Swedish, Sports, Hot Stone, Thai Yoga and Deep Tissue. There is also a special relaxation area.
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| After the spa turn-off you need to keep following the signs © Spaswinefood |
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| Arriving at the entrance © Spaswinefood |
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| Spa time© Spaswinefood |
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| Time to relax © Spaswinefood |
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| Scandinavie Spa is located in a beautiful mountain setting © Spaswinefood |
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| Outdoor waterfalls © Spaswinefood |
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| Scandinave © Spaswinefood |
If you want total relaxation in nature then put Scandinave on your list. It is an Eco Spa where you can easily spend a day taking advantage of its wonderful spa treatments.
Solarice Wellness Spa provides a holistic approach to wellness. It offers a complete range of services but is well known for massage and yoga. In fact it has a studio where it holds yoga and pilates classes.
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| Solarice entrance © Spaswinefood |
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| Check-in desk © Spaswinefood |
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| Waiting for treatment © Spaswinefood |
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| Relaxing treatment room © Spaswinefood |
Since Solarice operates a message school we took advantage of booking messages with student therapists. John had two messages. He rated one excellent and the other fair. I had one message which was excellent. We were quite pleased overall. It is always good to support student massage therapists.
There were three other spas on my list which I did not get to visit this time. They were:
- Taman Sari Spa, which is the only Javanese spa in North America. It is located in the Hilton.
- Vida Wellness Spa located at The Fairmont Chateau.
- Vital Spirit Spa, which is found in three locations in Whistler (Pan Pacific Mountainside, Pan Pacific Village Center and Sundial Boutique Hotel).
My overall recommendation is go to Whistler for its spas. Do not forget that while visiting there are many wonderful dining options in Whistler. There are always exciting events. For example each November Whistler hosts a celebration of wine and food at Cornucopia.
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| Cornucopia ad © Spaswinefood |
November is a wonderful time to visit Whistler spas. We got to see great color change before the snow falls. It was a great time to check out spas.
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Lovely color change © Spaswinefood
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| And more colors © Spaswinefood |
During my stay the Village of Whistler had its first snowfall. Everyone in town is excited about the coming ski season.
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| The ski slopes are changing from autumn . . . . . . © Spaswinefood |
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| . . . . . . to winter. © Spaswinefood |
Whistler have a wonderful season!!!
I invite you to join me in my travels in British Columbia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.
Sharon
Whistler, British Columbia
November 2010
© Spaswinefood
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| Whistler bear © Spaswinefood |
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