The YukonThe magic of the contrast
The joy of a winter soak is the extreme contrast: your body submerged in hot, mineral-rich water while the cold pinches your face and steam pours off the surface. It's simultaneously relaxing and exhilarating, and on a clear night the aurora may shimmer overhead, few experiences combine comfort and wonder so completely.
Where to soak
The heart of Yukon hot-spring culture is the Takhini Hot Springs Road area just outside Whitehorse, now home to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. Its Nordic-style setup pairs hot pools with saunas and steam rooms, following the invigorating hot-cold-rest cycle, all in a forest setting a short drive from town. In summer, that cycle includes cold plunges, Japanese clay tubs, and outdoor showers; in winter those are closed, and regulars complete the cycle instead by finding a patch of snow beside the pool to roll in before heading back into the heat.
The frozen-hair phenomenon
When it's cold enough, wet hair freezes into gravity-defying icy sculptures within minutes, the basis of the region's famous (and hilarious) hair-freezing contests. To try it: dunk your head, then style your hair quickly, before it freezes in place. Phones and cameras aren't allowed inside the spa, so you can't just have a friend snap the shot yourself; instead, ring the poolside doorbell and a staff member will come out with a camera to capture the moment for you. Don't worry too much about whether the freeze does your hair any favours, that's what the Aroma Borealis Spruced Up shampoo and conditioner in the showers afterward is for.
What to bring and wear
Bring a swimsuit, and either your own towel or plan to rent a robe and towel at check-in. Sandals are handy for the hallways between the pools, sauna, relax room, and steam room; you'll leave them by your towel and robe hook when you actually step out to a pool, since it's only a few bare steps from there to the water. The facility sells sandals at the front counter if you forget your own. Showers on site are stocked with Aroma Borealis's Spruced Up shampoo and conditioner, a genuinely nice local touch. If you like the feel of their towels, the Turkish-style ones used at the facility are sold in the gift shop. Move slowly and deliberately in the cold, and don't linger wet in the air longer than you must between soaks.
Timing and tips
Winter evenings are popular, especially when the aurora forecast is good, so check hours and whether reservations are required. Give yourself time to move through the hot-cold-rest cycle rather than rushing, hydrate, and don't soak to the point of overheating. Ease out gradually at the end.
A winter soak is the perfect way to end a day of dog sledding, snowshoeing, or aurora hunting, melting away the chill and the fatigue in steaming water beneath a northern sky. Don't leave the Yukon in winter without one.
Questions, answered
Isn't it too cold to be in a pool outside in winter?
No. The water sits around 40°C, so your body stays warm even at -25°C air. The cold on your face and the steam are part of the appeal.
How does the frozen-hair trick work?
In deep cold, wet hair freezes within minutes. Dunk your head, quickly shape your hair before it freezes in place, then ring the poolside doorbell, phones and cameras aren't allowed inside, so a staff member will come out and take the photo for you.
What should I bring?
A swimsuit, and either your own towel or plan to rent a robe and towel on site. Sandals are handy for moving between the pools, sauna, and relax rooms indoors. Check hours and whether reservations are required before you go.
Are the cold plunge and outdoor showers open in winter?
No, those are summer-season amenities. In winter, the hot-cold cycle is often completed by rolling in a patch of snow beside the pool instead.
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