Stepping into Thermea in Winnipeg, is like shedding a second skin. The seductive scent of wood smoke wafts through the air, as an outdoor fire cracks and steam rises off the outdoor pools begging you to take a dip.
Be sure to budget enough time to do the entire circuit. (Photo credit: Mike Peters)
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Thermea Winnipeg
Nestled at the edge of an expansive park, Thermea Winnipeg is where you’ll forget all your cares once you step foot into this nature oasis. Not only is Thermea the #1 spa in Winnipeg, it’s one of best nordic spas in Canada. But Thermea is an adults only paradise. If you’re visiting Manitoba with kids, you’ll want to book a sitter to enjoy this slice of paradise with your partner. It’s simply one of the best things to do in Winnipeg, Manitoba!
Thermea Spa Winnipeg
What makes Thermea special is that it’s a true nature spa. Who would think that within Winnipeg lies a little slice of Scandinavia? And yet, here it is, opened since 2015.
Thermea Spa offers a intoxicating dose of the great outdoors (and remember, you’re in Winnipeg!) plus a variety of wellness treatments derived from nature. The great outdoors plus the four elements are infused within each experience.
It’s so pretty here, no matter what season you visit. (Photo credit: Mike Peters)
Nordic Spa Winnipeg
At this Nordic spa in Winnipeg, a series of outdoor pools and wooden buildings containing an assortment of saunas and are your path to wellness. Inside Thermea, you’ll be privy to Scandinavian spa rituals, as you alternate between intensely hot and freezing temperature fluctuations. All in the name of health and wellness, of course.
It’s a spa experience like no other. And that this Nordic spa is located smack dab within Winnipeg makes it a cinch to get to and experience. Very few Canadian cities have these types of spas within their city limits.
Amazingly, no wine was needed to get to this level of bliss. (Photo credit: Nordik Spas)
Thermea
Thermea is a spa by Nordik Spa-Nature. That means they’re affiliated with Le Nordik (the largest day spa in North America), Balnea Spa and Siberia Station Spa in Quebec City. If you’ve been to any of those wellness facilities, you’ll know what to expect at Thermea. If not, read on!
What is a Nordic Spa?
According to the Nordic Spa instruction pamphlet you’ll be given upon arrival at Thermea, your first order of business is to warm up for 10-15 minutes. Instinctively, I head for the aromatic steam sauna, praying the pungent scent of eucalyptus will wake me up. It does.
Inhaling the zesty steam, I feel rather like Gwyneth about to embark on a sacred detox (minus the vajayjay steam). It’s a cloudy day in Winnipeg, but I feel the fog lifting as the scent seeps into my pores.
Can you guess, I love being the sauna master?
Barrels of ice are set outside the Vapor Room doors, but it’s the infused salt scrubs in the exfoliation chamber that really get your skin tingling. After my steam, I layer on menthol and eucalyptus salts, whisking away dead skin like nobody business.
My skin is zinging. The pungent scent of eucalyptus has got my senses firing. I’m awake and ready to tackle the next challenge.
This ain’t no Korean spa. Saunas are co-ed, so bring your bathing suit.
Thermal Experience
But raising your body temperature is only the first step in you thermal experience. After sweating it out, you’re to pass under a waterfall or take a quick dip in the cool plunge pools to bring your body temperature down.
Why go from hot to cold? Apparently, this thermal transition experience releases adrenalin (this is a good thing?) and increases your heart rate.
I love how they incorporated Prairie elements to the design scheme. (Photo credit: Mike Peters)
I’m not hot or brave enough to attend to the cold, so I cheat and melt into the Geyser pool. Hearing only the wind rush through the leaves and the pummelling of the waterfall, I float while wondering if aqua-meditation is a thing.
My chatty mind has slowed down and thoughts that enter and leave just as quickly. Again, I’m too chicken to go full on cold, so I sneak back into the sauna area and give the dry Finnish sauna a whirl. It does the trick and within minutes I leave the cedar infused chamber and barrel into the bracing water of the PolarBer pool.
It’s actually not that bad, even refreshing some might say. I’ve got my bravado on so I race through the waterfall and spend a few minutes taking my polar dip.
It’s freaking cold, but also totally invigorating if you’re brave enough.
Since I’ve ignored the recommended circuit cycle thus far, I return to the inhalation sauna, before rushing back outside and pulling a menacing looking cord so a bucket of icy water dumps on my head. Now my friends, it’s time to relax.
The Best Part: Relaxation Phase
Apparently the reason this cold stage was necessary is so during the rest phase that adrenalin turns into endorphins. After your “thermal transition” you’re encouraged to find a spot and chill as a deep sense of peace sweeps through your body. This relaxation ritual can’t be missed.
Like the savasana yoga practice, this phase seems unimportant, but allowing your body unhurried time for pure relaxation is truly valuable.
These relaxation chambers are the best. I may have drooled on my mat a wee bit.
Cocoon yourself in a hammocks swaying under leafy trees or head indoors to the relaxation chamber. One resting lodge looks like an upscale camp dorm with thick mats set bunk-style in a secluded room.
I make a beeline for the curvy tile loungers heated up to 39°C and zen out while gazing over greenery. If you’re feeling tribal, you can hang around the outdoor fire pit on wooden Adirondack chairs, watching the smoke trail up to the dusk coloured sky.
And there’s music! Can you spot the headphones?
Thermea Spa
Thermea Spa the perfect place to cozy up with a book, listen to smoothing music on the headphones provided or let your thoughts come and go. But when you’re spending a spa day at Thermea, be sure to budget plenty of time for a nap, as you’ll most definitely drift away during your stay.
What is it about outdoor fires that make everything better?
To get the most benefit from your spa experience, you’re to do this thermal cycle three times. Hot, cold, rest, hot,cold, rest, rinse and repeat. If you really want to do it up right, book yourself in for a massage halfway through your cycle.
Herbal tea + saunas & baths = total relaxation.
Thermea struck me as a fantastic girlfriend getaway destination except for one crucial element – Silence! signs. Guests are strongly encouraged to whisper, which makes sense, but you know how we gals get when we’re having a good time. Still, if you manage to keep a lid on it, you’re sure to have a blissful experience.
If only they served drinks poolside….
Good to know before visiting Thermea
- Spa goers must be over must be over 16-years-old
- BYOF – flip flops
- A licensed (!) on-site restaurant dishes out attractive meals. There’s a lot more to the menu than salads and you’ll spot several chocolate dessert options. Eating in your robe is encouraged. Can it get any better?
Have you ever been to a nature spa? Would you be able to get into the experience with no loud talking or cell phones permitted?
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These hot baths remind me of Spa Scandinave in Whistler – same rules, you have to be quiet, which is difficult for a gaggle of women on an afternoon retreat. Great article and agreed, eating in your robe is the best.
This looks so relaxing and in such a beautiful setting. I love the look of the relaxation area. I might have some trouble going from the warm to cold but I’d love to give it a try.
Going from hot to cold was hard a first, then it felt totally great!
Ok – i SOOOOO need to go here. Thanks for the inspiration!
Heavenly! I want to gooooo!
Heavenly is a great way to describe this nature spa!
Wait. This is Winnipeg?!
Yes, This spa is in Winnipeg! Thermea can’t be missed.