{"id":13007,"date":"2022-08-19T10:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T14:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=13007"},"modified":"2022-08-22T11:06:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T15:06:48","slug":"nordic-spa-experience-quebec-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/nordic-spa-experience-quebec-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Say “Oui” to the Qu\u00e9bec City Nordic Spa Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Qu\u00e9bec City is the North American center for Nordic spa experiences.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nordic-style spas are my emotional and body rescue. First, I subject my body to hot temperatures through dry saunas, steam baths and thermal pools followed by a brief cold plunge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is the third stage I am particularly adept at\u2014relaxing on a comfy lounge chair or swaying on a hammock. Experiencing Nordic-style spas while appreciating Mother Nature\u2019s beauty is a wellness activity I could relate to time and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forms of hydrotherapy have existed for thousands of years. In Roman times, soldiers returning from war would soak their sore and injured bodies in therapeutic baths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My battles may pale by comparison but daily urban and societal stressors can have a significant impact on the mind and body. Scandinavian countries developed the Nordic spa tradition with the first Swedish bathhouse opening in 1269. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qu\u00e9bec City\u2014Nordic Spa Central<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Destination
Courtesy Destination Qu\u00e9bec Cit\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nordic-style spas offer relief even if only temporarily. My spa antennae often lead me to the province of Qu\u00e9bec, which boasts 95 Nordic-style spas according to the Qu\u00e9bec Spa Association\u2014making it by far the highest concentration of Nordic spas anywhere in North America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Qu\u00e9bec? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQuebec has always had the art of living and well-being at the heart of its actions, maintaining close and privileged contact with nature,\u201d says Caroline Bedard, project manager for the Qu\u00e9bec Spa Association<\/a>. Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s first Nordic spa opened in 1964 in the Saint-Sauveur Valley, north of Montr\u00e9al. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s vast landscape is the ideal year-round setting for traditional Nordic-style spas with its dense forests, abundant lakes and rivers, and verdant valleys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even an urban setting can provide all the necessary elements for a Nordic spa experience. Take the province\u2019s capital, Qu\u00e9bec City, home to 10 Nordic spas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the continent\u2019s only fortified city north of Mexico and Old Qu\u00e9bec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lure of nature is never far away with waterfalls, parks, and the mighty waters of the St. Lawrence River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had the pleasure of visiting two distinctly different Nordic spas in the Qu\u00e9bec City area to relax and rejuvenate while soaking up French culture.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

River Therapy at Str\u00f8m <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Str\u00f8m
Courtesy Str\u00f8m Nordic Spa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Str\u00f8m
Courtesy Chris Ryall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Str\u00f8m Nordic Spa is only minutes away from Old Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s cobblestone streets and gourmet French restaurants on Nordic spa lines along the banks of the formidable St. Lawrence River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaning on the infinity thermal pool edge, I peer out to the river\u2019s wide expanse and observe a Canadian coast guard ship and seagulls soaring high above the St. Lawrence River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My mind wanders to what it must have been like when French voyageur Samuel de Champlain charted these waters back in 1604 when the city was founded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Str\u00f8m Nordic Spa Old Qu\u00e9bec is one of four branded Str\u00f8m spas in the collection. Its award-winning Scandinavian architecture provides expansive areas to navigate the Nordic circuit without feeling crowded despite its ability to handle a few hundred guests daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal pools, temperate and frozen baths, Finnish saunas, Nordic waterfalls, fire pits, and numerous indoor and outdoor relaxation areas will satisfy any spa enthusiast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men and women of all ages and shapes mingle freely but it\u2019s easy to find a space where you can be in solitude. French is the predominant language spoken though most staff can speak limited English. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those seeking to curb any hunger pains, a large restaurant serves up a variety of hot and cold dishes with a French flair. Str\u00f8m provides robes and towels to all guests and a wristband to order food and beverages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, the views of the river are as therapeutic as the water circuit. River therapy\u2014can\u2019t beat it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold Plunge at Le Nordique Spa Stoneham<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Nordique
Courtesy Le Nordique Spa Stoneham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Nordique<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A 30-minute drive north of Qu\u00e9bec City is an area blessed with deep forests, cool rivers and mountain scenery. Nearby is Stoneham ski resort, one of the province\u2019s most popular ski areas.  Le Nordique Stoneham Spa is smaller in scale than other Nordic-style spas with a daily maximum capacity of around 130 guests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hugues Lavoie, a frequent visitor to Nordic spas before deciding to open his own, wants people to recharge and relax at their own pace and use the spa to escape from day-to-day stresses. He\u2019s added facilities over the years but takes pride in keeping his Nordic-style spa more personal and smaller scale.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main building sits high on the hill offering panoramic views of the mountains in the distance and the frozen Jacques-Cartier River. Stairs head down to the hot thermal pools, saunas and relaxation areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nordic Spa Experience Circuit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I warm up my body with a 15-minute session in the hot sauna before taking a cold plunge into a frozen river with a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The ice around the coffin-like shape opening (how convenient!) is more than one foot thick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first test the freezing waters with my feet. If my feet could talk they\u2019d say, \u201cWhat the #$% are you doing?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Nordique
Courtesy Le Nordique Spa Stoneham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I go for it and drop my whole body in the water. I take long deep breaths\u2014this helps but my extremities, especially my feet, have turned from cold to painful numbness. After a minute, I hurriedly reach for the ladder, a human popsicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tempted to go into the hot tub right away, I know the best thing is to gradually return to room temperature on a lounge chair. Slowly my body returns to full function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the next Nordic circuit no need for a river plunge\u2014been there, done that. The balmy 45 degree Fahrenheit cold plunge pool will do just fine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the requisite steam baths, relaxation lounges, massage treatment rooms, salt scrub, saunas, thermal pools and bistro, Le Nordique Stoneham Spa also has cozy chalets to rent on the property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each chalet comes equipped with a full kitchen, living\/dining area, queen-size bedroom and fireplace. Perfect for those who want to make a day and night of it. The room rate includes access to and use of the spa facilities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chillin\u2019 by the river now has new meaning for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaping the Nordic-Style Spa Benefits <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Destination
Courtesy Destination Qu\u00e9bec Cit\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Destination<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Nordic spa experience has many adaptations but they all revolve around the tradition of hot, cold and relax. Going from a hot sauna session to a cold plunge gives an exhilarating shock to your system and releases endorphins, restores sore muscles and even possibly gives an immunity boost.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot<\/strong> (sauna, hot tub, steam bath)<\/p>\n\n\n\n