LIVING WELL THE BEST HYDROTHERAPY EXPERIENCES IN THE U.S. These resorts and spas go to extremes when it comes to wellbeing. JEREMY KORESKI TAYLOR RIVER LODGE, COLORADO Part of luxe adventure collective Eleven Experience, Taylor River Lodge recently introduced a winter wellness program that takes advantage of the snow. Treatments like snow-shower therapy see guests sweat in a sauna, run outside and make snow angels in their swimsuit, then hop in the hot tub to thaw and repeat for one hour. elevenexperience.com GUNNISON AIRPORT: 22 miles CARILLON MIAMI WELLNESS RESORT, MIAMI BEACH The largest spa on the eastern seaboard also boasts one of the country’s most extensive hydrotherapy experiences, including Miami’s only igloo. A herbal laconium warms up the body with gentle humidity in preparation for a sweat session in the Finnish sauna. Cool off after under experiential rains that simulate a Caribbean monsoon and polar mist. There’s also a cryotherapy chamber that drops to -275°. carillonhotel.com MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 14 miles SHOU SUGI BAN HOUSE, NEW YORK The hydrotherapy ritual at this Hamptons retreat includes both an infrared and dry sauna, an aromatic, high-humidity steam room and temperature-contrasting showers with LED color therapy. Hop between three contrasting saltwater pools to boost circulation or apply flakes from the ice fountain directly to sore muscles for instant inflammation relief. shousugibanhouse.com EAST HAMPTON AIRPORT: 9 miles WINTERLAKE LODGE, ALASKA The elements dictate the alfresco wellness treatments at this remote retreat northwest of Anchorage. In summer, a helicopter lands guests on glaciers so they can jump into frigid moulin pools (nature’s plunge pool) then bundle up in blankets and sip hot drinks. In winter, owner Carl Dixon cuts a hole in the frozen lake (part of the Iditarod Trail) so guests can dunk after steaming in the banya. withinthewild.com ANCHORAGE AIRPORT: 198 miles (via float plane) CANYON RANCH, LAS VEGAS The Strip’s largest spa is the ultimate escape to detox from Sin City’s indulgences. After a big night out, recover with a circuit in Aquavana. The spa’s hydrothermal area features European-style thermal cabins, a crystal steam room, a whirlpool, experiential rains, and an Arctic-style igloo with aroma spritzes. canyonranch.com McCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 3 miles NIMMO BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA This lodge tucked into the Great Bear Rainforest also has a floating sauna and hot tub. Guests are encouraged to dive into the chilly sea throughout sessions. Next year, Nimmo Bay will introduce cold-water breathing courses that might involve wild swimming and freediving in glacial waters. nimmobay.com PORT HARDY AIRPORT: 35 miles (via float plane) TEN THOUSAND WAVES, SANTA FE Inspired by Japanese mountain hot-spring resorts, this 20-acre retreat on the edge of Santa Fe features ryokan-style suites that feel like a spa within a spa. Each contains a hot soaking pool, cold plunge and some have a private sauna and sit-down bucket showers that mimic Japanese bath houses. tenthousandwaves.com ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL SUNPORT: 71 miles SCANDINAVE SPA, WHISTLER, BC This 25,000sq ft, Scandi-inspired indoor-outdoor spa has a hydrotherapy circuit that cycles through eucalyptus steam baths, a Finnish sauna and woodburning saunas, and hot tubs for heat, followed by endorphin-boosting cold like Nordic waterfalls and plunge pools with mountain views. A relaxation zone, complete with solarium and fireplace lounge, allows the cardiovascular system to regulate again. scandinave.com VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 85 miles INNS OF AURORA, FINGER LAKES, NY Upon arrival at this new 15,000sq ft spa, guests are given a personalized treatment card with a recommended hydrotherapy circuit. A prescribed session might include 10 minutes of meditation in the steam room, progressing from lower to upper seating once your body warms, followed by a 20-second cold shower, then 15 minutes in the sauna, followed by a 30-second cold plunge. End the session with a 15-minute contrast bath moving between hot and cold pools. innsofaurora.com MATCH MATE AIRPORT: 3 miles CIVANA, ARIZONA Civana’s aqua circuit was designed to ease beginners into the extremes of hot and cold therapies. The spa boasts the only sanarium in the U.S., a lowtemperature sauna that maxes out at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (versus 195 degrees Fahrenheit) and has 45% humidity. There’s also a tepidarium, a mild heat, low-humidity room and therapeutic wading pools varying from cool to cold. civanacarefree.com PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT: 35 miles 58 NetJets
