March 5, 2010
A hands-on experience
Make time for massage
by Brion O'Connor/
Like many other resorts in ski country, the Mount Washington Hotel spa offers massages especially designed for skiers. (photo: Mount Washington Resort)
There was a time, not so long ago, when all I needed after three dozen runs was a cold beer (or two) to relieve all the delicious aches and pains that accumulate during a session on the boards. Those days are long gone, admittedly, and I’m afraid it would require more than just a few carbonated beverages to dull my burning thighs and balky lower back. But since I’d never been much of an adherent to the “No pain, no gain” theory of recreation, and since I’m fond of my liver, I opt instead for a little après ski massage to right what’s wrong with my body. You should consider it, too. Don’t worry about that nagging Puritan voice in the back of your head; getting rubbed the right way will silence not only the aches, but that voice as well. (One caveat: Generally speaking, massage isn’t recommended for women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Be sure to check with your physician beforehand.)
New Hampshire
The Inn at Thorn Hill (innatthornhill.com; 1-800-289-8990) overlooking the ski hamlet of Jackson has an extensive spa menu, the perfect antidote for skiers fresh off the slopes at Wildcat or Black or Cranmore or even Tuckerman. My wife is a fan of the traditional Swedish massage, with its long, soothing strokes. I prefer the more vigorous sports massage, which targets specific muscle groups to relieve tension and stress (especially welcomed if I’ve been on the tele boards), and the lymphatic drainage massage. The latter offers a lighter touch, designed to improve lymphatic flow to boost the body’s immune system. You also can combine a massage with hydrotherapy treatment, leaving your body feeling like a giant, overcooked noodle (and I mean that in the best way possible).
A snowball’s throw from Bretton Woods, the Mount Washington Hotel (omnihotels.com; 603-278-1000) always has been one of my favorite destinations, for myriad reasons, not the least of which is the sense of ease it inspires. Just stepping through the front doors is an exercise in rest and relaxation. The addition of a spectacular new spa takes that sensation to an entirely different level. The obvious choices are the après ski or adventurer’s massages, which aim to increase circulation and flexibility through stretching and manipulation, but I’d also recommend the massage and soak, which combines a customized massage and super-soothing hydrotherapy. The spa also offers deep tissue, which gets to some of my chronic areas. Lauri, my bride, is a big believer in the aroma massage, a tension-melting treatment that includes a warm oil scalp treatment.
The Viaggio Spa at Loon’s Mountain Club (mtnclub.com; 1-800-229-7829) outside Lincoln is another great addition to the après ski scene on Ski 93. In Italian, Viaggio means “journey,” but the beauty of the Mountain Club is that it’s slopeside, meaning you don’t have to go very far for the kneading fix. I’m a big fan of the hot stone massage, which I swear literally melts away any knots buried in my muscle tissue. The deep tissue and sports massage offerings aren’t far behind. And if I’ve really tweaked something (decades of skiing and mountain biking have left me with a number of trigger points just waiting to fire), the spot massage will focus on the problem area. In additional to an aromatherapy massage, the spa can add aromatherapy to any aforementioned massage treatment for an additional $10. The Viaggio also offers a specific massage for pregnant women.
Maine
Due to some meteorological oddity (or perhaps simple bad timing), I’ve encountered more crazy weather at Sugarloaf in Carrabasset Valley than any other New England resort. High winds, ice, freezing rain are as much a part of my collective Sugarloaf experience as crystalline spring days and pristine powder dumps. But since this is one of my fave Northeast mountains, I never let the weather stop me from hitting the slopes. And it’s my body that usually pays the price for my reckless and stubborn nature. Fortunately, the massage crew at the Sugarloaf Sports and Fitness Center (sugarloaf.com; 207-237-6826) always has been able to cure what ails me. Not fancy, but oh-so-efficient. After one memorable massage, the therapist allowed me to stay in the room, wallowing in my bliss for a good hour.
The top-flight Jordan Spa at Sunday River (sundayriver.com; 207-824-5328) has a terrific variety of specialized massage offerings. I’m a sucker for the overall outdoor enthusiast’s massage (no less than 60 minutes), but the spa also offers 30-minute sessions that target the legs, back, or head, neck and shoulders. Classic Swedish, therapeutic deep tissue and pregnancy massages are available as well. The spa’s package deals also are tempting, ranging from the 90-minute Signature River Recharge for $140 (body polish, classic massage, and hands and feet paraffin treatment) to the decadent four-hour Jordan Splendor treatment for $360 (maple sugar scrub, a customized facial, hot stone massage, spa manicure and pedicure).
Also, I’d be remiss not to mention the Bethel Inn Resort (bethelinn.com; 1-800-654-0125), near Sunday River, which offers a too-good-to-be-true “many hands massage” (two masseuses, four hands, heaven). The resort’s health club, which is open daily, also offers a traditional menu of very reasonably priced massage options, including sports and deep tissue, Swedish, Maine stone, and head, neck and shoulders. If you’re on the road, returning from either Sugarloaf or Saddleback, another option might be the Senator Inn and Spa (senatorinn.com; 207-622-5804) in Augusta. The state capital is a shade over an hour away from both resorts, and the inn has an excellent restaurant, a saltwater pool, and a full menu of spa services for the weary traveler/skier, including massage. The only concern, of course, is whether you’ll be in any condition to drive immediately afterward, so plan accordingly. Another spot that we’ve heard good things about, but haven’t visited personally, is the Fountain of Youth Day Spa (207-864-3772) on Main Street in Rangeley, near Saddleback.
Vermont
To the north, Jay Peak’s Taiga Fitness Studio (jaypeakresort; 802-327-2550), located in the resort’s brand new Tram Haus Lodge, is open until 8 p.m., giving bone-weary skiers as much time as they want to decompress. Massage therapy choices include the more traditional deep tissue, Swedish, and sports treatments, as well as hot stone therapy, shiatsu massage (Japanese massage using palm and thumb pressure along the pressure points, plus added stretching), and reflexology (an ancient Chinese technique in which specific pressure points on the feet, hands and ears are massaged in order to re-establish the flow of energy throughout the body).
To the south, the Equinox Resort & Spa in Manchester Village (equinoxresort.com; 1-800-362-4747) is a quick drive from Bromley, Magic or Stratton, but the body work done here is worth thee times the travel. Relaxing ambiance and architecture is complemented perfectly by a host of offerings, such as the Mother Earth pre-natal massage, the custom, full-body Equinox therapeutic massage, hot and cold river stones massage, and aromatherapy massage. Don’t make any plans to go anywhere for a few hours; it might take a while before you regain control of your limbs.
The Beast of the East looks a lot less scary from within the cozy confines of the spa at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel (killington.com; 1-800-621-MTNS). The massage menu itself isn’t earth-shattering, but the packages certainly are eye-catching (albeit a tad expensive). Those include the $585 Grand Spa Day (five hours of relaxation with a warm stone aromatherapy massage, a green tea body glow treatment, a deep cleansing facial, a warm aroma paraffin manicure and a pedicure), the $495 Mountain Spa Experience (four hours with a deep tissue massage, a re-mineralizing moor mud wrap, a classic spa manicure and a pedicure), or the $265 Serenity treatment (three hours, highlighted by a classic Swedish massage, a classic spa manicure and a pedicure).
The Stowe Mountain Lodge (stowemountainlodge.com; 802-760-4782) gets the slight edge in the battle of Stowe spas, given its slopeside location. Much like Killington, the basic massage menu is fairly routine, but the 80-minute Signature Rituals, all of which begin with a 25-minute, four-hand massage, are absolutely first rate. The Pure Nature includes a full body scrub with sage, juniper and grapefruit salts under the healing powers of the Vichy shower. Pure Rejuvenation features a gentle scrub and body wrap with fragrant and finely ground coffee beans, blended with Indian sarsaparilla, honey and lobelia in a rich black silt clay. Last, Pure Renewal offers a fully body scrub and wrap with Tahitian vanilla as well as a soothing seaweed mask, rich in aloe and minerals, for your face.
Not to be outdone, however, the nearby Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (stoweflake.com; 802-253-7355) provides a dizzying menu of traditional (pinnacle point, craniosacral and four-handed “syncrosage” are the most enticing for my money) and signature massage treatments. The latter includes the Stoweflake hot oil treatment, organic roses all over (self-explanatory, I think), the Stowe après ski massage, or the personalized healing session. And we haven’t even mentioned the vacation and day spa package treatments.
Last, with an eye toward the future, look for the new spa at the Woodstock Inn & Resort (woodstockinnspa.com; 1-800-448-7900). Given this superb resort’s reputation and track record, we’ve already got the spa penned in on our “must see” list for next winter.
Massachusetts
In the western reaches of the Commonwealth, along the Berkshires, the Cranwell Resort & Spa (cranwell.com; 413-637-1364) in Lenox is situated close to a number of terrific, family-friendly resorts, including Ski Catamount, Butternut, Jiminy Peak and Bosquet in Pittsfield. Housed in a former estate, which also served as a prep school, the renovated resort now is the very definition of luxury. In addition to more traditional treatments, clients can choose from reflexology, Thai (restoring balance through therapeutic stretching, pressure points and rhythmic palming), and the intriguing trees massage (combing manipulation with meditation). Don’t have much time? Go for the 22-minute massage. Pre- and post-natal massages, as well as teen massages, also are offered. Meanwhile, I’m trying to convince my wife to attend the couples instructional massage. Of course, if you’re already at Jiminy Peak, you don’t need to drive anywhere. You can book a massage at the In-Touch Day Spa (jiminypeak.com; 1-800-882-8859), right in the resort’s village.
