Labour Day Saviour: Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

Nothing says long weekend more than a trip to the cottage and that’s exactly where my boyfriend, Mason, and I headed this past weekend. Unfortunately, our plans of a lazy day in Wasaga Beach were cancelled when the storm clouds rolled in and the rain began trickling down.

We were running out of other ideas when my mom finally said, “Head over to Blue Mountain. It’d be a great day for the spa.”

“The spa” is Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain, an award-winning retreat nestled in the serene forest at the base of a mountain. Okay, we use the word “mountain” pretty liberally here in Ontario – it’s not the Rockies, but it’s beautiful and you can ski down it, so that should count for something, right?

I hadn’t been to Scandinave Spa for a few years and was excited at the thought of going back.  The spa offers hydrotherapy, using hot and cold water to release endorphins and improve circulation among other things.

After a short drive, we arrived at our destination, grabbed our bags and walked to the main building after crossing a small bring along the way. Once inside, we were greeted by a sweet attendant who explained the rules and showed us the change rooms.

Guests pay for a day pass and are given access to the outdoor environment that includes a Finnish sauna, eucalyptus steam room, hot baths, cold plunges, and more. The spa is open all year and since my last visit was during the dead of winter, I was interested to see how a summer daytrip would compare.

When we were finally ready, Mason and I headed outside and slowly entered one of the baths being cautious of the water’s heat.

“Wow, this is amazing,” he said after a few minutes and I couldn’t agree more.

We waded along the edges and made our way to the waterfall to let the warm water massage our muscles. After about 15 minutes, we got out and walked a few steps to the cold plunge before hesitantly stepping in.  (Note: Learn from my mistake – hesitation should be avoided and will only extend your discomfort)

Next, we went to the eucalyptus steam room which is circular in shape and has three levels of seats arranged along the wall.  We found a spot to sit near the left of the entrance and took deep, heavy breaths of the thick air. The room smelled similar to Vicks VapoRub and had the same effect – clearing out the sinuses and opening up the lungs. This was Mason’s favourite spot in the spa and we found ourselves back in the room at least 5 more times over the next 4 hours.

We also made use of the hammocks (built for two, of course), lounge chairs, and relaxation room – with our favourite hangout being the hammocks tucked into a little pocket of forest. A cozy ambiance was created with soft spa music and the scent of campfire wafting from the chimineas (outdoor fireplaces) located around the property.

These outdoor lounge areas are an added bonus of attending the spa in the spring and summer, but in the end I had no seasonal preference – the spa is perfect on a cold winter’s night or an overcast summer’s day. Although I didn’t mention it earlier, this was Mason’s first time stepping foot in a spa and I don’t think it’ll be his last. At the end of our visit he suggested we make another trip to Scandinave Spa in a few weeks, but this time we just have to get massages. Who can argue with that?