The Scandinave Spa in Whistler, British Columbia

If you're like me, you love a ski mountain but don't actually need that much skiing. I love the fireplace, the woodsy lodges, reading a book on a deep couch, the snow quietly falling outside. In my teenage years, I loved ripping it down the mountain on two skis, but after seeing a few too many of my friends part ways with their ACLs on the slopes, I have slowed down (literally and figuratively).

All to say, in my adulthood I have learned that skiing for about two days does it for me. And after I've had my fill on the mountain, I like to let my still-intact ACLs relax at the spa.

What my ACL survived.

If you're headed to Whistler (about two hours north of Vancouver) to ski the slopes of the 2010 Winter Olympics, whether you're a double-black tearing it up or a greenie just enjoying the potato patch, I highly recommend saving your last day for the Scandinave Spa.

The Scandinave Spa is not a secret. It was featured in season one of Age of Attraction on Netflix (which by the way...was insane?!). Because of it's buzz, before you head to Whistler, you'll definitely want to book a reservation. And day of, if you have a treatment booked, try to arrive 30 minutes early (or more) because check-in in the morning can be more crowded than you might expect and you don't want to eat into your treatment slot.

While I love a massage, I think you can fully enjoy the Scandinave Spa with or without a treatment. A day pass is about $128 CAD during peak season and allows you access to a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces. You're recommended to start with about 20 minutes in a hot experience, such as their many saunas and steam rooms. Surrounding these indoor heated spaces there are several outdoor hot tubs, all looking out over the jagged cliffs, Christmas tree-like pines, and wide ski slopes cut into the mountain. After you have a sweat on, you're intended to try a brief cold experience, such as a cold pool or their icy outdoor waterfalls. After you endure the shock of the cold, pick from one of the relaxation rooms with chaise lounges, day beds, and a view of the mountains.

While the indoor/outdoor facility with beautiful scenery is enough to sell the place, there is another reason this place is a gem: the spa is completely silent after you enter the locker rooms. While you might catch a quick whisper here or there, this rule is generally well-respected. There is also a no-device policy. While I am no good at meditating (it's hard for me to watch TV without looking at my phone for god's sake) I found myself actually relaxing mentally, not just physically. Sitting quietly in the saunas or the relaxation rooms, looking out into the forest, and not being assaulted by a barrage of emails, Slack messages, or side conversations reminded me that silence indeed is golden. And I like to talk, so this is high praise.

The only electronic that is allowed past the locker rooms is an e-reader, which I highly recommend bringing (unless you've got the analog version, aka a book). This kept me perfectly occupied in the relaxation rooms after being with my own thoughts was enough. And while the spa offers robes and towels, they do not provide flip flops. They'll sell you a pair for $30 CAD, but that felt steep, so I walked around the outdoor spaces in my Uggs. A spa bathrobe and Uggs is a fashion statement I am not entirely prepared to endorse, so I recommend you bring a pair of flops from home.

For a break from the silence, the spa has a order-at-the-counter cafe near the check-in area. They serve coffees and a decent selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads, both pre-packaged and made-to-order in the kitchen. I wanted to get my day-pass's money's worth, so I was at the spa from around 10am to 4pm, which meant lunch was required. I ordered a nice panini and chai tea latte which gave me a second wind for another few hours of cold plunging.

Even if you're a ski-junkie, there's something indulgent about taking a day to rest your sore muscles and finally stop the chatter in the mind, even just for a few hours. The next time I return to Whistler, you'll find me here.