The name Nordik Spa Nature Sounds enticing right? Enticing albeit perhaps a bit chilly. Frankly, I was freaking out about the thought of heading there in the dead of winter. The thought of wearing only a swim suit, flip-flops and a bathrobe on one of the coldest days of the year made me a bit…nervous.
Early January in Ottawa is beyond what most people consider chilly. I happened to be there when it was a ridiculously cold -32 Celsius and the wind makes it feel even colder. I could feel the frostbite creeping in.
I had on three sweaters, a winter jacket, three pairs of pants and socks, a toque and gloves and still couldn’t feel my body. It’s unbearable and suffocating. You see, there’s cold and then there’s Canadian cold – a cold so cold that even people who are used to this type of cold can’t even handle this level of cold. I’m not one of them.
So naturally, at this time of year, there’s an urgent desire to get away from it all. To get somewhere warm and experience a taste of summer with steaming hot water and a beautiful surrounding. Typically, Canadians book a ticket south. I went north.
Enter Nordik Spa Nature
I headed far north to Chelsea, Quebec, home to Nordik Spa Nature. The largest outdoor spa in North America, Nordik Spa Nature is surrounded by saunas, outdoor baths, snow-capped rocks and icy waterfalls. It’s a must experience piece of heaven.
Sure, I was cold but maybe my mind knew that my body was seconds away from finding relief in the form of a steaming hot pool where the temperature is at least 60 degrees warmer. I hung the bathrobe, took off my flops and stepped into the 36 degree Celsius water. Within seconds, I was in my happy place. Felt right at home, surrounded by the most perfect conditions and experiencing a one-of-a-kind place.
3 Unique Areas to Experience
Nordik Spa Nature is so big that it has three different areas that give you three different experiences. In the Kaskad area, you’ll find a cold cascade, hot sauna and several relaxation rooms. This area is primarily for sheer relaxation where the conversation is kept to an absolute minimum.
The Borëa area is also loaded with cold and hot baths with the addition of waterfalls, massage rooms and both Finnish and Russian sauna rooms. The idea here is to enjoy total zen with only a whispering conversation.
10 Exterior Baths
With baths at Nordik Spa Nature ranging from 21 to 39 degrees Celsius, the property has you covered no matter what you’re ideal water temperature is. Personally, I like it hotter than hot and I love it with a view. My first stop at Nordik Spa was the infinity pool.
My freezing toes tingled as I stepped inside the Näkymä infinite pool while my equally frozen body couldn’t wait to be submerged. It didn’t take long to feel as if I entered a different world. The colder the temperature, the better the water felt. Sure, I was surrounded by snow and ice but after a few seconds of feeling the heat, I forgot about the frigid temperatures. Soothing, steaming water with a view of the Ottawa area directly in front of me. Talk about beautiful!
9 Saunas & Yurts
I had never been in a yurt before, much less a heated one so this too was a must experience. Steps from the infinity bath, a beautifully decorated yurt was the perfect way to both stay warm and sweat out the toxins.
Inspired by traditional nomadic homes in central Asia, the rustic, round yurt at Nordik Spa is constructed with canvas tent, a hardwood floor and central fire. Essential oil infusions are also refreshed several times a day. Of course, it’s instant relaxation in here and it comes so easy considering how serene and aromatic it is.
Speaking of saunas, there are so many different types to choose from that it’s tough to choose which one to do first. Some are dry, others humid and all range from 65 to 100 degrees Celsius. I knew that I had to try the 50 degree eucalyptus sauna where the steam carries pure eucalyptus and mint essential oil molecules. Breathing deep and through my stomach, I couldn’t inhale enough of the beautiful eucalyptus. So dense that at times, I couldn’t even see two feet in front of me.
Lunch at 4 Restaurants
Who knew that the combination of eucalyptus, a steaming yurt and soothing infinity bath could make you so hungry. Well, they do and of course, Nordik Spa has you covered again. With four restaurants to choose from, I went with Mëzz Café which is located right in the centre of the action with perfect views of the waterfalls and baths. Dressed only in a swimsuit, flip-flops and a bathrobe, I’ve never felt more under-dressed in my life but here, that’s expected and accepted attire. With a range of coffees, wines, apps and delicious entrees, it’s a perfect break.
Specialty treatments Unique to Nordik Spa
At Nordik Spa, you can sign up for a personal massage and other specialty treatments, including the traditional, 1,000-year old, Russian-inspired ceremonial Banyä sauna and the incredible Källa treatment.
A floating salt-water pool that only accommodates 20 people, it’s unique to the Americas, only the second of its kind in the world and is considered to be better than the Dead Sea. Dug five metres into the rock, the pool contains 10 tons of Epsom salt in 1,200 cubic feet of 37 degree Celsius water.
I jumped at the chance to step inside, rest my head on a neck pillow and experience weightlessness at its finest! The idea is to let yourself go, float and rid yourself from the constraints of time and space and feel everything and nothing simultaneously.
End the Day with Exfoliation!
If you have time to enjoy Nordik Spa and the surrounding area for more than a day, consider renting a cottage on the property or combine your spa experience with a hotel in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. However, if you only have one day (and wished you had more), then the Russian sauna with optional exfoliation is one of the most ideal ways to top it all off.
This sauna is unique in that it combines the dry heat from the Finnish sauna tradition and wet heat steam baths from the Mediterranean. Sit in the gorgeous sauna for 10-15 minutes to sweat out the toxins. Step outside the sauna, turn left and enter a shower area that comes complete with both lavender and eucalyptus salts. Scrub either or both all over your body and face then step into the shower and rinse. Talk about total relaxation and cleanse.
What I loved the most about Nordik Spa Nature was the fact that anyone could enjoy all aspects of the spa comfortably. Whether you’re a couple or traveling solo, with friends or family, a Mom-to-be or an athlete looking for therapeutic treatments, this place is for anyone and everyone! I also loved the amount of activities available in such a compact space. Sure, it might be the largest spa but with such ease of getting around and enjoying the next experience within seconds, it doesn’t feel like it.
It was hard to leave but when the time came, I was freaking out again. At the thought of fighting through the bitter cold on one of the coldest days of the year, wearing only my three sweaters, a winter jacket, three pairs of pants and socks, a toque and gloves. Not being able to feel my body and that suffocating feeling that made me a bit…nervous. Scared, more like it.
After all, it turns out that I was colder with all these layers on than I was with none at all.
DETAILS:
For more information, visit their website. Also be sure to visit WBTW’s Spa & Retreats section for more fun choices around the world.
A BIG merci beaucoup to Nordik Spa-Nature for hosting me to a small yet incredibly big, beautiful and uniquely Canadian experience. All opinions are, as always, my very own.
Jim Bamboulis has held several posts over the past 12 years, including National Sportscaster, Food Host and Writer, Talk Show Host, Olympic Researcher and Travel Film-maker.
Born and raised in Toronto, Jim learned early on that the combination of travel and food meant ultimate living. Combining his insatiable creative spirit and desire to document his travels, Jim took his unshakable travel bug and set off to explore. Add the fact that Jim also grew up in a Greek household and he learned that not only does Mom always make the best meals, but as importantly learned the importance of understanding and appreciating the countless beautiful cultures and the integral role food plays in every corner of the World.
In August 2009, Jim founded Travel Mammal, a site that brings together his travels and experiences (both good and terrifying) with the hope that others are inspired to share their own. We are all storytellers, especially when it comes to travel and food. He urges everyone to be inspired, explore and love the world and the people that share it with us. Or in other words, Live to Travel and travel to live!
