There’s no better way to unwind, or spend a day off the slopes, than “taking the waters” at one of Colorado’s spas. A myriad of luxurious destination spas are sprinkled throughout the Rocky Mountains, beckoning weary limbs and non-skiers alike, but there are three that are not to be missed.
In Vail Valley, Aspen, and Telluride you’ll find The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Remède Spa at The St. Regis Resort, and The Golden Door Spa, respectively. Befitting of their incredible locations, each offers an experience like no other. From the traditional, to the unique and unusual, to the man-friendly (yes, we can even appreciate these)…let’s just say these aren’t your regular ‘ole spa treatments. These three spas set the bar when it comes to relaxing, rejuvenating, and pampering at altitude.
The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera
Cordillera sits, like the crow’s nest of a ship, on a mountaintop with stunning views of Vail Valley and the surrounding mountains. The spa menu has hundreds of treatments, packages, bodywork options, and add-ons to choose from, all sharing a specific goal: “to refresh both body and soul.”
Signature: The main ingredient of The High Altitude Rescue body treatment is a moisturizing lotion made from propolis, a product of honeybees that is rich in antioxidants, that is smoothed into the skin. A full-body wrap enhances the absorption of the lotion, followed by a warm coconut milk massage. The result from the hydrating and relaxing treatment is smooth, moisturized skin from head to toe (great for cold weather abused skin).
Most Unique: A ground coffee bean body scrub combined with a hydrating wrap and vanilla-bean lotion massage constitutes the Café Latte treatment. This body latte will smooth and tone your skin (and you don’t have to lift a weight or wait in a Starbuck’s line).
For Men: The Mountain Man is the perfect treatment for guys with sore muscles after a day on the slopes. This treatment exfoliates the skin via a Tri-Crystal Microdermabrasion Scrub, followed by a liniment and aloe vera wrap (don't try to understand it just book it).
Remède Spa at The St. Regis Aspen Resort
You will find the pinnacle of customized self-indulgent experiences at the foot of Aspen Mountain. Remède is world-renowned because of the attention each individual that enters its facility receives. Customization is the modus operandi at the spa in Aspen.
Signature: After a private consultation with your esthetician, the Remède Customized Facial is created for each visitor’s individual needs, including exfoliating, cleansing, moisturizing, and extracting. Though each treatment differs from person to person, the requisite warm paraffin foot wrap and foot and scalp massages complete every Customized Facial.
Most Unique: The Extreme Tranquility body treatment is “designed to counteract the exhaustion often experienced by the Aspen altitude and indulgences.” Komani and Jojoba oils sooth and moisturize the upper body, while mineral-rich Italian clay specifically targets the lower body. The spa menu isn’t lying about Extreme Tranquility, because the aftermath of the 90-minute treatment is total bliss.
For Men: The Remède Customized Men’s Facial follows a similar process to the aforementioned treatment; however, this experience specifically focuses on “the skincare needs of men.” The negative effects of stress, sun damage, and travel are not overlooked, and the warm paraffin foot wrap is this facial’s flourish.
The Golden Door Spa at The Peaks
Telluride, one of Colorado’s most charming mountain towns, is home to one of the most luxurious spas in the state. The Golden Door Spa at The Peaks is an ideal setting for a respite from the slopes. Blending ancient eastern traditions with a modern western attitude, The Spa at the Peaks Resort will help reenergize and replenish after a day of schussing.
Signature: Finding inspiration in Native American beliefs that turquoise represented protection, self-confidence, and positive energy, the Turquoise Wrap exfoliates with Hopi blue cornmeal. Then, during the warm turquoise clay wrap a therapist performs a rainstick ritual and uses oils to target the soul. A warm shower, full-body honey masque, and steam conclude the treatment.
Most Unique: Aimed at achieving balance by means of the 5,000-year-old East Indian traditions of Ayurveda, the Spirit of Life body treatment makes use of herbs and oils specifically selected for each person. Herbal exfoliations, oil massages, and herbal wraps combine to detoxify and nourish your body, resulting in a calm, centered, serene, and cleansed feeling. The Shirodhara oil ritual over your “third eye” is a one-of-a-kind experience.
For Men: For the man that is always on the go—whether it’s travel for leisure or business—the Homme Facial is the perfect treatment. Designed to combat the effects of stress, deep cleansing and hydrating products combine with a face and neck massage to create refreshed skin.
Whether you are looking for a special treatment and experience you can't get at home, or a place where you're not the only guy in a robe with a green mask, these spas will definitely make your trip to Colorado complete. If your schedule is too full of winter activities to waste away hours relaxing at a destination spa, then consider the following resort or day spas for a quickie (my personal top five):
1. Allegria Spa in Beaver Creek
After lounging in Allegria’s Aqua Sanitas Water Sanctuary, the Colorado Wild Rose Cure is an aromatic treatment that includes a wildflower scrub, chamomile bath with flower petals, and rose geranium body butter massage. And, they aren’t lying when they state that: “Men aren’t an afterthought at Allegria Spa.” The Arnica Sports Relief Cure incorporates an arnica and juniper-infused bath, deep tissue massage, and Alpine Hayflowers Thermal wrap, aimed at getting the active man back on the slopes.
2. Aspen Club & Spa
For the Aspenites that turn heads while skiing Ajax, the Aspen Club & Spa is a go-to post-ski destination. The Après Ski massage is designed, as expected, to alleviate the aches and pains that come with cold weather and hard skiing. And if you’re looking to warm up and can handle extreme temperatures (think Bikram yoga-type temps), the Pure Wrapture body treatment will invigorate, detoxify, and cleanse by means of a grapefruit and juniper-infused oil massage and FAR infrared blanket wrap.
3. Mountain Sanctuary Day Spa in Breckenridge
Achy joints and sore muscles are inevitable with how cold it gets in “Breckenfridge.” You can pick how the amount of pressure and specific places to focus on during the Custom Swedish massage, and the Milk and Honey Body Scrub is as comforting as it sounds.
4. Rocky Mountain Day Spa in Steamboat Springs
The spa cuisine at Rocky Mountain Day Spa’s boutique and resort spas differs a bit, but you’re going to get top-notch treatment at either location. The Gentlemen’s Hot Towel Facial takes the old barbershop technique to a different level, and you’ll love shaking hands after the Sports Manicure For Men.
5. The Spa at The Brown Palace in Denver
Most trips to Colorado begin and end in Denver, and the treatments offered at one of Denver’s iconic hotels are perfect pre or post (or both) your ski holiday. If you are in a hurry, the 25-minute To the Point massage will get you in and out quicker than an episode of The Office, and the Traveler’s Relief massage is an optimal way to rub out the knots associated with travel, helping you recover from jetlag.
Bottom photo courtesy of Allegria Spa
