Best Nordic Spas in BC for a winter vacation

Discover BC’s Nordic Spa scene with hot saunas and cold plunges to get you through the winter

15 minute read. Updated February 2025.

What does a Nordic Spa in BC in winter look like? Picture wood-burning saunas surrounded by snowy forests, cold plunges in natural lakes, and relaxation lounges with mountain views.

Canada’s West Coast has long been a place for hot springs and wellness experiences. Now, lodges and resorts are adding hydrotherapy features and dedicated Finnish-style spas are popping up in cities across the province. Some are year-round, while others open just for the winter season—the most blissful time of year to practise hot+cold+relax!

So whether you’re a local or a visitor during the cold months of December to April, here’s a list of great Nordic spas in Vancouver, Whistler, and all around British Columbia.

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What is a Nordic Spa?

A Nordic Spa, which can also be called a Scandinavian spa or hydrotherapy spa, is a facility where you can move between hot (a sauna or heated pool, e.g.) and cold (ice water bucket, or even rolling in the snow!), relax, then repeat the circuit.

This list of Nordic Spas in BC is dedicated to outdoor experiences. This is different from spas which may have similar amenities but are exclusively or mostly inside. Because anyone can add a cold plunge—at a great Nordic Spa you can see, smell, hear and feel nature!

I’ve organized this list by region: some Nordic Spas in BC are remote, which helps with that transition from day-to-day stresses and obligations and into a more peaceful relaxing experience. And others are right in the heart of great cities, making it easy for you to plan a spa day. I’ve noticed that in BC many of these spas are smaller, offering more intimate experiences or even private sauna and circuits you can book for yourself, you and a partner, or a group of friends. Which ever you choose, there’s a spot for you.

What is the price of a Nordic Spa in BC?

Nordic Spas in BC come in different price ranges, from affordable to luxury but are generally more expensive than elsewhere in the country, with many sessions costing more than $150 per person, although you can find some smaller spas for around $60. Weeknights can sometimes offer a discount.

Some of these spas also offer a variety of traditional treatments like massage, facials, manicures, etc. In most of these, the thermal water circuit is included with treatments, or treatments over a certain amount. But check because it can sometimes be ala carte and costs extra.

One of the best ways to experience a Nordic Spa in BC is to book an overnight stay. Several fine hotels and resorts on this list
(See: Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver) have excellent facilities that are included with your room rate, or at a discounted rate. It’s perfect if you want to do the thermal waters circuit multiple times in a day, or early morning/evening.

This list solo travel friendly: I would feel comfortable going to these spas as a single woman. But if you haven’t been yet, note that Nordic spas are often used by couples for a romantic getaway or groups of women celebrating a birthday/bachelorette, etc. Whatever way you like to spa, I hope there’s one on this list here for you!

Health disclaimer: Benefits of hydrotherapy can include improved circulation and reduced soreness. But don’t take my word for it—or the spas’ actually. If you’re new to hydrotherapy please discuss with a medical professional as not all treatments are safe for all people. (Pregnant women especially should know the risks.)

Now, on to my list of the Best Nordic Spas in BC

Best Nordic Spas in Vancouver

Circle Wellness (Granville Island)

Private day spa in the heart of the city Read my in-depth Circle Wellness spa review

In all my spa travels I’ve never seen another space like Circle Wellness. You book in to your own private spa—the complex is a series of what looks like transport containers they’ve transformed into a warm, lush Asian-inspired oasis built for one or two people. The circuit includes a huge cedar hot tub, a cold plunge, and their signature Wellpod, a 10×10 foot infrared space covered floor to ceiling in beautiful, glowing Himalayan salt brick walls. Before entering, you press a button which starts a programme of gentle sound and light to guide your relaxation. Because it’s just you and your mate, the space is clothing optional. Hot tea is provided. I never want to leave! Open air roof and runs rain or shine.

Ages 19 and up.

Hours: 6:30am to 10:15pm daily.

Price: A Circle Wellness session costs between $219 to $295 depending on when you go and if you choose 60 minutes or 90 minutes. This is per booking, not per person.

Fairmont Pacific Rim (Waterfront)

In the winter months, this luxury hotel on the harbour offers a Nordic Spa experience for hotel guests and non-guests as a compliment to their on-site Willow Stream Spa. Book a three-hour Nordic Spa session and have access to the hotel’s heated outdoor pool and hot tub, plus 90 minutes with a traditional Finnish sauna and exhilarating cold plunge baths. And when you’re done, head down to the spa for more relaxation. Yummy snacks and drinks are available for purchase, and the service is world class, with robes and slippers and even warm puffy coats provided.

Ages 18 and up.

Hours: 8am to 9:30pm daily.

Price: Nordic Spa access is $165 per person between 8am and 6:30pm or $145 for evenings 6:30pm to 9:3pm. If you have booked a spa service at Willow Stream, add on the Nordic Spa for $35.

Tality Wellness (North Vancouver)

Sauna, cold plunge and unlimited kombucha on tap. Tality has several locations but start with their flagship in North Vancouver, with its 25-person sauna and multiple cold baths. “Community Sessions” fit up to 12 guests, and run throughout the day for 110 minutes. “Express sessions” are shorter, at 50 minutes. Tuesdays are silent. 9am to 10pm.

Price: Tality operates on a membership/pass system, but you can book a single drop in for $45.

JJ Family Spa (Coquitlam)

An exception to the other Nordic Spas in BC – this one is not outside. But I believe wellness should be affordable to everyone and this Korean bathhouse has a lot for a modest price. Located 30km east from downtown Vancouver, JJ’s has a salt room, charcoal room, infrared sauna, dry sauna and “ice room.” Steam rooms and jacuzzis are gendered and clothing-optional (expect nudity). All guests are provided with “spa outfit (looks like pjs). This is a different kind of hydrotherapy circuit but you can definitely DIY a Nordic experience there by cooling off in the shower or outside in the garden.

Ages: Children aged 6-11 are welcome with adult guardian.

Hours: 10am to 9pm

Prices: A great value at $25 for three hours of access, with free parking.

Best Nordic Spas in Whistler

Scandinave Spa Whistler

The original, the biggest, and most famous Nordic Spa in BC. Read my full review of Scandinave Whistler here.

The setting for a spa just outside Whistler village cannot be beat – forests and mountains and quiet. Heavily enforced quiet! If you want to enjoy warm outdoor pools, hot steam rooms and saunas, cold waterfalls, and relaxation solariums and firepits without talking, Scandinave is your go-to. There’s no time limit for your visit once you are inside you can do the circuits as much as you like, so soak it up!

Ages: Teenagers are welcome here – 14-16 with supervision, otherwise 16 and up.

Hours: 10am to 9pm daily

Price: A visit with reservation starts at $138 for weekdays and goes up to $183 for long weekends and holidays. Try your luck with a walk-in appointment and get a discount. (You have to pay to rent a robe if you walk in though.) Bring sandals as they are not included.

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Best Nordic Spas in Victoria

Ritual Nordic Spa

A traditional Finnish spa with private sauna rentals just outside downtown Victoria is one of my fave Nordic spas in BC. Read my full review of Ritual Nordic Spa here

A sign in the change room says “Suits on, phones off” in Finnish. That’s the vibe here at this small, modern Nordic Spa in a nondescript building in Victoria. Use the sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool (or bucket) then chill in the salt room or outdoor patio in their surf-inspired ponchos. Or book the private sauna with its own cold plunge (my fave!) or solo infrared sauna with shower. Friendly and welcoming.

Ages: 18 and up.

Hours: Open 7:30am to 9pm most days (except Tuesday). Wednesday fro 3:30pm to close is for women only.

Price: A one-hour circuit in early morning or evening is $40, a standard two-hour circuit is $59 Monday-Friday and $69 on weekends and holidays.

Oak Bay Beach Hotel

An English Manor-style hotel and spa overlooking the Salish Sea just a short scenic drive from the centre of Victoria with beautiful hot pools with a view. Read my in-depth review of Oak Bay Beach here.

Three heated outdoor pools—two hot tubs with jets for lounging and one warm pool for swimming and eucalyptus-infused sauna doesn’t sound like a full Nordic circuit. But it’s all about the relaxing here and the setting is gorgeous. Stay overnight and enjoy the sunrise (if you’re lucky) then return at night to hang out at the electric firepits. Note they don’t have a cold plunge – they should add one!

Ages 16 and up

Hours: Pools are open from 8am to 10pm in winter

Price: Pool access is included for hotel guests and with spa services at the Boathouse Spa. Non-guests can sometimes purchase a Mineral Pool Pass, check for availability.

HAVN

A floating spa in the Victoria harbour offering social sauna sessions. HAVN encourages community sweat and cold plunge, with three saunas, two cold pools, two hot tubs, an indoor lounge, relaxation cabin and garden patio.

Ages: 19 and up

Hours: 9am to 10:15pm Monday-Wednesday-Thursday, 9am to 7:30pm on Tuesdays, 9am to 11:15pm on Friday and Saturday

Price: $79 for a two-hour session in the evening or $89 for three hours.

More Nordic Spas on Vancouver Island

Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa (Courtney)

Did someone say Steam Cave? Glacial waterfall? A “River walk”? The Pacific Mist Spa at this seaside resort is a unique Nordic Spa in BC. Registered guests of the hotel or the day spa can pay to access their “Hydropath” guided circuit or “Healing Caves” Maybe you want a float in the sea mineral pool, do a salt body scrub in a tidal bath carved out of the rock or explore six different “caves,” including an ice cave.

Ages: Aged 16 and up

Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 10am to 9pm;  Thursday: 8am to 9pm; Friday-Saturday: 8am to 10pm;  Sunday: 8am to 9pm.

Price: A bit confusing to be honest. Hydropath is $175 per person and Healing Caves is another $250 per person? And the price goes down if you book multiple people together? Not solo traveller friendly. If you go here and love it, I’d like to hear about it.

The Grotto at Tigh-na-Mara (Parksville)

Part of the Tigh-na-Mara resort, this beautiful Nordic Spa has indoor and outdoor spaces including a mineral pool designed to emulate a natural stone grotto, a large whirlpool for socializing, cold waterfall, cedar barrel saunas and stone fire tables. Definitely a fantasy vibe. You can also book a reservation for tapas dinner in your robe overlooking the peaceful forest.

Ages 19 and up.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 10pm. Sunday 10am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays.

Prices: $95 per person for two hours of access

Nyüby (Shawnigan Lake)

Nyübu is a Zen Buddhist term that means “to go into the mountains to reconnect oneself to the gods.” If that sounds like something you’re after, you’ll find this intimate, tranquil spot a 40-minute drive from Victoria might be just the thing. A 10-person cedar wood barrel sauna, cold plunge, and lounge area with fire pit make a simple hydrotherapy circuit. Bring your own robe, towels, sandals.

Hours: Thursday-Friday 5pm to 9:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9:30pm. Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,

Price: $30 to join a 90-minute community session or $270 for a private 90-minute booking.

Setri Nordic Spa (Cowichan Valley)

Small and private, and surrounded by the forest, this traditional Finish cedar sauna and cold plunge experience is kind of off the grid –no hot water, and composting toilet only. Locals sing its praises for the friendly community sessions (up to 8 people).

Hours: Tuesday and Friday 5:15pm to 8:45pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 8:30pm. Closed Monday and Thursday.

Price: $30 for 90 minutes in the community session. Or book the space for $240.

Nordic Spas in BC’s Okanagan Valley

Loyly (Kelowna)

One of those special BC winter experiences, Kelowna’s new floating sauna and cold plunge is only open from October to April. On the water in the heart of the city, enjoy great harbour views and chic Scandinavian design. Try to score a spot at one of their Full Moon Sessions. Bring your own towels. Note there is no bathroom in site.

Hours: 7am to 8:15pm daily.

Price: $45 for a 70-minute Community Session or book private for $270.

Skaha Nordic (Penticton)

Finally! A Nordic Spa in BC with an outdoor plunge in the lake. After your sweat in the barrel sauna, jump right into an ice cold Skaha Lake. Then rest in the indoor meditation room which is set up for yoga or meditation.

Hours: 8:30am to 9pm daily

Prices: Session rates are seasonal. Winter costs $90 for two hours, and summer is $90 for 100 minutes.

Nordic Spas of Interior BC

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Not a Nordic Spa per se but worth a mention since I don’t have anything else in this part of the province: the largest natural mineral hot springs in all of Canada are at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort near the BC/Alberta border. Soak, swim, or dive in the pools, with gorgeous mountain views. Create your own cold therapy in the showers!

Ages: All ages welcome

Hours: Pools are open in winter from 8am to 9pm

Price: Complimentary access for hotel guests. Non-guests can pay $17 for a single-use visit or $25 for a day pass.

I hope you’ve found this list of Nordic Spas in BC helpful for planning your next winter getaway. I’m aiming to make this list as comprehensive as possible, so if you have a favourite spot, or own a spa, that I’ve missed, please let me know!