Canadian World Traveller Winter 2018-19 Issue

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59
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
by Jennifer Merrick
juicy, tender textures and big flavours.
Surrounded by wilderness with well-maintained
hiking trails, it was easy to succumb
to the lure of the mountains at the resort’s
doorstep or venture a little farther and
explore the popular mountain attractions of
Banff National Park and Canmore.
Hot-warm-cold-rest-repeat. This
outdoor hydrotherapy circuit is the
foundation of the Nordic Spa.
Esteemed for its therapeutic and stressrelieving
properties, it has long been a staple
spa experience in Scandinavia and
Quebec. And now, it can be enjoyed in
Alberta at the Pomeroy Kananaskis
Mountain Lodge.
Located an hour west of Calgary in the scenic
Kananaskis Valley, this resort -- part of
the Marriott Autograph Collection --was
everything a mountain retreat should be.
Their 247 recently renovated guest rooms
and suites were well-designed with large
windows that showed off the jagged peaks
of the Rockies; wood-burning fireplaces and
cozy furnishings combine seamlessly with
modern conveniences; and it has one of the
most comfortable beds I’d ever slept in.
Restaurant choices included the Forte
Restaurant, which featured favourite Italian
dishes, especially the handmade pizzas
done in wood-oven fires, and the Cedar
Room. This more upscale eatery emphasised
regional and seasonally inspired dishes.
It was here I relished my first Albertan
steak, which was justifiably famous for its
But we couldn’t forget the Nordic Spa. With
the exception of the cold plunge (which was
apparently excellent for the body’s circulation
and immune system but tortuous to
endure), every station had its own unique
bliss: three different types of saunas, eucalyptus
and alchemist steam rooms, hot and
warm pools and an exfoliation cabin. The
latter, inspired by the traditional Turkish
Hamman, was an extra touch, designed to
be the last stop, where you’re given salts to
scrub off dead skin.
So here, the prescribed Nordic spa method
was hot-warm-cold-rest-repeat and then
exfoliate. It’s only a recommendation, of
course. Personally, my circuit was: relax in
the hot tub and look at the snow-peaked
mountains while building resolve to jump in
the cold plunge pool. Then stand at the
edge of the plunge pool and count to three
–dip my right toes in –beeline to the steam
rooms. Once again, stand at the edge of
the cold station and count to three – dip my
left toes in -- head straight back to the hot
tub and look at the mountains, vowing to
give up on the cold plunge -- and then exfoliate.
But nevertheless, I emerged from the Nordic
Spa soaked, steamed and scrubbed. And
more importantly, feeling invigorated and
relaxed, which was a perfect combination to
enjoy the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain
Lodge.
www.lodgeatkananaskis.com
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