Explore Alberta’s Kananaskis Country

Photo by RoseAnna Schick

The Kananaskis Nordic Spa is the first spa in Alberta to embraces the Scandinavian hydrotherapy ritual — hot, cold, rest, and repeat.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/05/2024 (593 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Alberta’s Kananaskis Country is a year-round mecca for outdoor activity, and a place to reconnect with nature and recharge the soul. With trail networks spanning throughout 4,000-square kilometres of parks, foothills, and mountains, the views of this accessible backcountry will take your breath away.

Kananaskis lies south/southeast from Canmore, east of Banff National Park. It is made up of five provincial parks, four wildland parks, and several recreational sites. Officially named a protected area in 1978, Kananaskis has an ecological reserve called Plateau Mountain. Which, ironically, is a sprawling flat meadow that sits higher than many of the nearby peaks. Here you’ll find 100,000 year old lichens still clinging to ancient rocks, rare plants and flowers, all kinds of critters, and even bighorn sheep.

A road trip to Kananaskis typically starts by turning south onto Highway 40 from the TransCanada Highway, about 35 minutes west of Calgary. At this juncture, is Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino, the last gas and amenities for a good stretch, and with all the comforts of a convenient home base from which to explore. The Nakoda First Nation in Alberta is comprised of three bands — Bearspaw, Chiniki and Good Stoney. ‘Nakoda’ means friend, while the name ‘Stoney’ came from their traditional technique of using fire-heated rocks for cooking.

Kananaskis Village was built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, with Nakiska Ski Resort specially designed for alpine events. Today, the town has accommodations, excellent dining options, equipment rentals, and more – including a lovely location for some sweet serenity.

The Kananaskis Nordic Spa, open since 2018, is an ideal way to spend an entire day or evening. It’s the first spa in Alberta that embraces the Scandinavian way of wellness through the hydrotherapy ritual — hot, cold, rest, and repeat. Do this as many times as possible, and you’re guaranteed to walk away feeling fully relaxed and rejuvenated.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa brings a unique Canadian perspective to Nordic wellness. It was purposefully designed to encourage connection to nature, with the vibe and ethos inspired by the great outdoors. Over 4,600 square metres features five pools and plunges, six saunas and steam cabins, eight massage treatment rooms, and an exfoliation cabin. Two Trees Bistro’s health-focused philosophy and menu is a delicious add on to any day at the spa, while the fire-pit beckons for friends to come and sit awhile.

Kananaskis Country offers paddling, biking, horseback riding, and world-class hiking. Some of the best hikes are walking the rim of the plateau, the journey to Bow Falls, or strolling along Stony Trail to Barrier Lake. The pathways vary in length and difficulty, and there are guided tours available, as well as self-guided experiences.

In winter, Kananaskis is a playground for alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog-sledding, fat biking, you name it. Just about any winter pursuit you can think of, you’ll most likely find it here.

You also most likely find wildlife here, like grizzly bears. But if you plan your outings carefully, avoid walking around with open food, and keep safety at top of mind… the bears likely won’t mind sharing beautiful Kananaskis Country with you.