There’s nothing like sinking into a warm bath at the end of a one tough day – or climbing into a hot shower before beginning the next. Water has undeniable powers to soothe both body and soul.
Cleopatra knew that – and would often soak her royal hide in warmed milk baths. She wasn’t alone! At the height of the Roman Empire, most important negotiations among leaders took place in the baths and later, Winston Churchill planned many of the most important strategies of WWII from the heated waters of his tub, while his male secretary took notes and handed over towels when necessary.
The Upper Hot Spring at in Banff National Park, Alberta, would have been a huge hit with Cleo and Winston, offering not simply hot water for relaxation, but also a host of healing minerals, including sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and hydrogen sulphide.
It’s a powerful combination – and one that has been bringing eager tourists to the popular ski town since the hot springs were first discovered in January 1884. Although the first nations people in the area had long believed the waters to be sacred, it wasn’t until William McCardell and Frank McCabe, two CN railway employees, dammed a small pool and experienced the bathing/healing experience themselves that the Banff Hot Springs became a world renowned healing centre and the heart of Canada’s first national park.
In those early days, tourists who came to ‘take the waters’ by immersing themselves in the 47 C degree pool did so in very primitive conditions. Stories are told of a man who, suffering from painful eczema, came in search of relief for his cracked, bleeding skin. He spent months camping near a stream that flowed from the hot springs. Each day, he laid on the stones in the stream, letting the warm, sulphurous waters run over him until his skin was completely healed.
The good news is you don’t have to lie on your back on the hard rocks of a mountain stream in order to experience the healing magic of Banff’s hot springs. In 1932, a bathhouse was built that quickly became one of the most popular tourist venues in Canada. Refurbished in 1996, the Upper Springs bathhouse now has the charm of the original 1932 structure but also all the modern amenities. Tourists and health enthusiasts from around the world soak in the hot, steamy pool and many swear by its healing properties. Although the minerals in the pool are most likely to have a positive effect on skin ailments, it’s nothing to hear people swear that they’ve experienced cures for everything from stress headaches to joint pain.
Thinking you might want to give it a try? You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the hours – the facility is open daily until at least 10pm – perfect for that après-ski soak. Prices are reasonable – $7.30/adults, $6.30/children and seniors and there’s even a family rate of $22.50. You can’t beat that – or the stunning view of Mount Rundle either! An on-site spa offers massages and various wellness treatments at an extra fee and there’s a children’s wading area. Towels are provided and – just in case you forgot yours – swimsuits are available for rent. Don’t imagine you’ll be decking yourself out in the latest beach fashions – these suits are modest in the extreme – but it’s better than sitting on the side, watching!
Liz Fleming is an award-winning Canadian travel journalist who specializes in adventure, health and wellness and learning travel. For more from Liz, go to: Liz Fleming’s Travel Tales