First coined by French socialites in the commercial ski boom in the 1950s, après ski typically refers to a plethora of post-ski social activities. But despite the term being French, the true origins of specific activities after skiing is in Norway – where Scandinavians have enjoyed this recreational pursuit for millennia.

Notably, one of the most famous symbols in Norse mythology is Ullr, the god of snow, patron of skiers and stepson of Thor. Perhaps this is where the Norwegians gain their passion for skiing! so, it should come as no surprise that a visit to the Nordic Spa is the ultimate après ski choice.

In fact, Kananaskis Nordic Spa lives by the mantra “hot, cold, rest, repeat” – wisdom passed down from ancient Nordics based on the utilization of hot-cold hydrotherapy.

A day on the slopes can result in sore, strained muscles that can greatly benefit from some TLC. Hydrotherapy offers effective relief that will see your muscles healed and ready to take on a black diamond run the very next day. 

Here is how to balance your day of adrenaline on the Olympic slopes at Nakiska with a visit to the Nordic Spa’s hydrotherapy circuit:

1. Heat = Joint Relief

Hot water therapy is a method utilized globally as it’s proven to provide relief by loosening joints and muscle tissue. This allows you to better stretch or relax those muscles as they de-clench from hours of maintaining your all-impressive, slope-appropriate squat. 

Saunas and hot tubs both offer ample opportunities to bask and let your muscles melt into the warmth. Heat also encourages blood circulation, which can assist the flow of nutrients as they try to reach injured muscles. And of course, it’s always nice to warm up those toes after a full day on the slopes.

2. Cold Water Reduces Inflammation

By restricting blood vessels and lowering the temperature of your muscle tissue, cold water reduces inflammation – there’s a reason we put ice on injuries! Cold water is also thought to be an effective means to flush lactic acid from muscle tissue before it promotes muscle pain and fatigue.

Some– most notably internet legend Wim Hoff– also believe that polar cold water has additional health benefits. These include aiding in mood, improving mental focus and even pain management through mastery of your nervous and cardiovascular systems. While we can’t speak to Hoff’s methods, we certainly see the benefits of embracing the cold plunge at the Nordic spa.

3. Ancient Hot-Cold Therapy

Nordic wisdom has highlighted the health benefits of utilizing hot-cold– or contrast therapy– for generations. Cold-hot therapy puts the individual benefits of both temperatures to work, using the ability of heat to loosen and cold to restrict. 

Used together, the two temperatures can create a “pumping” pattern. This aids the lymphatic vessels to help move lymph fluid efficiently throughout the body. Cold-hot therapy has also been proven to aid in blood circulation as you alternate between the two, which lets your body better expend metabolic waste products.

4. Injury Prevention

Partaking in some form of hydrotherapy can be an effective way to prevent injuries. It can help your muscles prepare and rejuvenate for another big day of skiing ahead or help you avoid delayed onset muscle soreness, also known as DOMS. As muscles expand and contract through hot-cold therapy, injury recovery may be encouraged as you are able to access an increased range of motion. Water also aids in injury prevention and recovery in general, as it utilizes buoyancy to build muscle strength without resistance.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa is located just a 5-minute drive away from Nakiska Ski Area, so you can realize the benefits of hydrotherapy right after your day on the slopes. Additionally, the spa’s location makes it the ideal pitstop for those headed back into Calgary; it is only a 20-minute detour off Hwy/AB-1 W from both Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Village.

After the recovery benefits of the Nordic Spa prepare you for the next day, enjoy the familiar après festivities of delicious food and thirst-quenching drinks at Forte Restaurant in Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. It is located adjacent to the spa, so you can combine traditional and your new way to après. Trading stories of your prowess on the slopes with stunning rocky mountain views as your backdrop.