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Radium
Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Julie Register visited this destination spa at 108 Mile Ranch,
British Columbia, Canada in October 2001
 Tucked
in the protective mountains of Kootenay National Park near the red-hued
rocks of Sinclair Canyon lies the largest hot springs pool in Canada
at Radium Hot Springs. I spent a relaxing afternoon soaking in the
hot pool (40°C) which has a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains.
The water is 44°C at its source and flows at a rate of 1375 l/min.
It's filtered and chlorinated before it enters the pool (required
of all public hot springs pools). The water is tasteless and odorless
and has sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, and sodium as its
major components.
The
hot pool is family-friendly with a shallow lounging area perfect for
children. Next to the hot pool is a new 8-person whirlpool tub that
is kept cooler than the hot pool in the summer and hotter in the winter.
On the other side of the 1950's era building is a 25 m cool pool with
diving board.
 2001
marked the 50th anniversary of the existing heritage buildings at
Radium Hot Springs Pools. The Aqua court was constructed from 1949-1951
for a cost of $958,653. In 1997, Radium Hot Springs began major renovations
which included a new reception area, information center and gift shop
on the main level. The women's changing room on the lower level was
renovated with non-slip flooring, new change cubicles, built-in benches,
and 11 vanities with mirrors and electrical outlets.
The
facility is universally accessible and open year-round. At the time
of my visit, the fees were quite reasonable - just $6.00 CAD for an
adult in high season (Mid-May to Mid-October), $1.50 CAD for swimsuit
rental (1950's style), $1.25 CAD for towel rental, and $0.25 CAD for
locker rental.
2003
Update
 The
4000 square-foot Pleiades Massage and Spa opened in the summer of
2003 with five treatment rooms overlooking the river that flows
beneath the building, 2 Vichy shower rooms, a steam room, a sauna,
a plunge pool, and a waiting area that overlooks the cool pool.
According to Tamara Nowakowsky, the hip décor
is akin to what you might find in the best European and North American
spas, yet doesn't seem out of place in the 52-year-old heritage
building.
The revamped facility offers hot-stone massage therapy,
salt rubs and more, using all-natural, handmade scented oils and
other products, in treatment rooms filled with natural light.
Wrap things up with a complimentary session in the
hot plunge pool or the aromatic steam room, and it's just about
enough to put you over the edge of relaxation.
_ 
Footnotes
Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park is located
260 km west of Calgary and 3 km northeast of the Town of Radium Hot
Springs. It is a day-use facility and offers no accommodations. However,
there are plenty of places to stay nearby. I stayed in a very nice room
on the golf course at the Radium Resort in Radium Hot Springs. Campers
at the park's nearby Redstreak Campground can walk a trail connecting
the campground and the hot springs. If you visit Kootenay National Park
to camp, hike or ski or the lovely Columbia Valley to golf, be sure
to take time out to enjoy the Radium Hot Springs.
Photos are courtesy of Radium Hot Springs
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