For a good day in the mountains, follow this recipe: Start with a dose of outdoor activity. Stir in a few good friends. Mix in laughter and storytelling. Lastly, add hot water — a couple thousand litres should suffice. Let the ingredients soak together for a few hours until fulfilment has been reached.
There’s nothing like chillaxing in the hot tub after a rowdy day of recreation. But hot tubs aren’t all created equal. You need the right one. Spacious. Good seating. Not too far from the bar. And a splendid mountain view is key. Here are some top-notch hot tub locations to close out the ultimate spring mountain day.
Otter Hotel
It’s tough to top a rooftop hot tub! And the Otter Hotel is the ideal place to hunker down for an evening soak under the star-splattered sky. Sit back, relax and enjoy the celestial beauty above Cascade Mountain.
600 Banff Ave., Banff, Alta., 403-760-8517, otterhotel.com
Radium Hot Springs
In early spring, when things tend to be a little quieter on the tourism front, a soak in these giant natural hot springs — while not technically a tub — hits all the right notes. Keep your eyes peeled on the west side of the hot pool, where bighorn sheep can sometimes be seen traipsing along the red, iron-rich cliffs.
5420 Hwy. 93, Radium Hot Springs, B.C., 1-800-767-1611, radiumhotsprings.com/things-to-do/hot-springs/
Basin Glacial Waters
The thermotherapy circuits at Basin Glacial Waters at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise takes hot tubbin’ to a whole new level. Take in an iconic view of one of the most famous mountain lakes on the planet and enjoy luxurious, mineral-rich varying-temperature pools, saunas, steam rooms and more.
111 Lake Louise Dr., Lake Louise, Alta., 403-522-3511, chateau-lake-louise.com/wellness/basin-glacial-waters
Emerald Lake Lodge
Emerald Lake Lodge, thanks to its lovely lakeside setting, is a magical place any time of year. With views over the lake and beautiful snow-coated flora, a rejuvenating session in the recently renovated clubhouse and hot tub is an awesome way to close out your day.
1 Emerald Lake Rd., Field, B.C., 250-343-6321, crmr.com/resorts/emerald-lake
Sunshine Mountain Lodge
Sunshine Mountain Lodge, the only high-alpine lodge in Banff National Park, boasts Banff’s largest outdoor circular hot tub. And it’s perfectly positioned near the base of the Standish Chairlift at Banff Sunshine Village. You can basically ski right into the tub! But that’s not actually recommended.
1 Sunshine Access Rd., Banff, Alta., 403-762-6500, sunshinemountainlodge.com
Panorama Mountain Resort
Yes, slopeside soaking is where it’s at! And the huge warm pool and two hot tubs at Panorama are precisely where you and your posse need to plunk yourselves down after playing in the powder. Gather your friends and let the wild wipeout stories begin!
2000 Panorama Dr., Panorama, B.C., 1-800-663-2929, panoramaresort.com
The Malcolm Hotel
This luxurious Canmore hotel, located in the Spring Creek community, serves up a splendid rooftop hot tub experience. And the best part? The jaw-dropping views of Faith, Charity and Hope — the trio of iconic peaks that comprise the Three Sisters massif — provide an unforgettable backdrop.
321 Spring Creek Dr., Canmore, Alta., 403-812-0680, malcolmhotel.ca
Tans, Turns and Tubbing
Ask any sun-bronzed ski enthusiast: spring skiing is the best! Why? Well, all that bonus sunshine is definitely a great start. And here are four more reasons why you should never put your skis (or your Speedo) away until all the snow is gone.
Pond skimming parties, live music events and other slope-side shenanigans are a spring staple. A couple of morning runs followed by afternoon patio time? Yes, that works.
It’s all about the “corn!” Indeed, spring skiing on those grippy snow kernels — typically best in the afternoon, when the snow has softened — is always fast and fun.
Warm weather = fewer layers. No, bikinis are not out of the question. No need to change for the hot tub.
A longer spring day means a longer après! And, yes, more time in the hot tub.
