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Compiled by the Road Trip Manitoba team
Last updated on March 6, 2024
One of our favourite things to do in Winnipeg is to spend a day at Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature. No matter the season, this spot is perfect for a bit of rest and rejuvenation! Using a traditional Nordic thermal cycle – taking your body from a hot temperature to a cold temperature, followed by a period of rest – a day at Thermea is one of the most unique and effective ways to unwind in the city. One of our favourite spas in Winnipeg, you can indulge in four outdoor baths, four unique saunas, an exfoliation room, numerous indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, and a restaurant and lounge, not to mention all of the treatment rooms where you can get a massage, facial, and more.
Read on for everything you need to know about spending the day at Thermea by Nordik Spa-Nature in Winnipeg.
How to Spend the Day at Thermea, Winnipeg’s Nordic Spa
Where is Thermea?
Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature is located at 775 Crescent Drive, just outside the gates of Crescent Drive Park and the Crescent Drive Golf Course. Found in the Fort Garry neighbourhood, Thermea is approximately a 15 to 20-minute drive south of downtown Winnipeg.
Parking and location
There is free onsite parking at Thermea; however, the parking lot does occasionally fill up. Thankfully, there is a lot of parking on the surrounding streets, all of which is also free. In all of our visits to Thermea over the years, we’ve never had to park more than a five-minute walk from the entrance.
Checking in at Thermea
Checking in at Thermea is very easy. Before you visit, you must reserve your spot online through the Thermea website, where you will choose your day and time slot of choice. Payment is also taken online at the time of booking.
Once at Thermea, you will check in with the helpful staff, who will give you a wristband, locker number, bathrobe, and towel. Feel free to ask them any questions about the experience and/or how you should spend your time there.
The Thermea “Thermal Cycle” Experience
So what exactly makes Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature so special, and why is it so different from other spas you’ll find in Winnipeg?
The answer? The amazing outdoor Nordic spa experience! The multisensory experience focuses on thermotherapy, guiding you through an amazing thermal cycle. This cycle is meant to alternate hot and cold temperatures followed by a rest period. Based on traditions that go back more than 2,000 years, this thermal cycle is incredibly popular in Nordic countries… so how lucky are we that we have the experience here in Winnipeg?! It’s no wonder we consider it one of the best things to do in Manitoba!
The thermal cycle begins in the hot sauna, where you’ll spend 10 to 15 minutes; this will allow your pores to open and eliminate toxins. Next, you’ll spend 10 to 15 seconds in a cold pool or under the icy waterfall, creating a thermal shock and a release of adrenaline. Finally, spend at least twenty minutes in a rest area, whether that be around a fire, in a hammock, or in one of the warm pools; this is where you will feel a rush of endorphins and a total feeling of relaxation entering the body. It is recommended that you go through the thermal cycle at least three times when at Thermea.
With all that in mind, the spa is home to four outdoor baths, four unique saunas, an exfoliation room, and numerous indoor and outdoor relaxation areas so that you can complete the thermal cycle in a variety of ways.
How much are Thermea treatments?
As mentioned above, you must reserve your visit or any treatments in advance through Thermea’s online booking service. As of the time of writing this article, the rates for the thermal experience and treatments are as follows:
- Thermal Experience (including rental bathrobe and towel as well as a locker): $86
- Classic Body Care Treatment (60 min): $139
- Specialty Lumëa Body Care Treatment (60 min): $175
- Classic Massage (60 min): $155
- Specialty Massage (60 min): $165
There are also a variety of body treatments (including foot care, face care, and much more) that range from $139 to $175. Tips are expected for any personal service, such as a massage or body care treatment.
What do you do at Thermea?
What do you do at Thermea? The easiest answer is: relax! With the goal of rejuvenating both your body and mind, it is a place to unwind and enjoy nature. We recommend spending an entire day at the spa to truly take advantage of the relaxing setting.
Once at Thermea, you can try the thermal cycle as many times as you’d like. In between, enjoy napping, socializing, reading, or meditating in one of the rest areas, get a massage or body treatment, and/or visit the restaurant/lounge for a meal.
Also, make sure to note the times for the Aufguss rituals, led by one of the professional Rituals Artisan; this is a unique way to experience the sauna, as the artisan will use choreographed movements with a towel to swirl the hot air around. Follow this up with a dip in the cold plunge and you’ll feel incredibly rejuvenated!
How long should you stay at Thermea?
Trust us, it is very, very easy to spend the entire day at Thermea! We recommend planning for half a day at the bare minimum, as enjoying the full thermal cycle takes at least half an hour (and you’ll surely want to do the cycle three times or more). This also gives you time to relax in the rest areas, eat in the restaurant, and perhaps even partake in an additional service such as a massage.
Our recommendation? we would head to Thermea just after lunch, do the thermal cycle a couple of times, have a massage or body treatment, go for another thermal cycle, have dinner in the restaurant, enjoy a drink around the fire outdoors, and then spend the evening relaxing in the warm pools under the stars. Personally, our favourite time to visit Thermea is in the evening, as the place takes on an even more magical vibe at night.
Can you eat at Thermea?
Yes! There is a fantastic lounge and restaurant to enjoy onsite called Resto. Enjoy the fusion of Scandinavian cuisine with comfort food found in such dishes as Smoked Char Smørrebrod, Manitoba Carpaccio, Great Plains Bison Burger, and many more (including many vegetarian dishes). The drinks menu is also fantastic, with a great selection of wines, local beers, and cocktails such as the delicious Blackberry Lambrusco Mimosa or the Candied Pecan Old Fashioned.
Make sure to grab a cocktail on their patio as well… bonus points if it’s in winter and you find a spot by the fire!
Please note: outside food or alcohol is not permitted in Thermea.
Are children allowed at Thermea?
No, children are not allowed at Thermea. The spa is reserved for guests 16 years and older.
Is Thermea open in winter?
Yes! Thermea is open in every season, rain or shine. In fact, our favourite time to visit is in winter.
What to bring to Thermea
You must bring your own bathing suit and flip flops/shower shoes to Thermea. Thankfully, onsite bathrobe and towel rentals are included in the price of your thermal experience, so there is no need to bring those.
Some people bring water bottles, however, there are disposable cups and water stations around the facility for you to use as well. Keep in mind there is no glass allowed at Thermea, so leave your glass water bottles at home.
Other than that, it is recommended to bring anything you might need post-spa if you aren’t going directly home or would like to shower at the facilities, for example, makeup or deodorant. There are hairdryers provided in the change rooms, as well as shampoo and soap in the showers.
Lockers are provided for you to lock all of your personal belongings away for your time in the spa.
Spa Etiquette at Thermea
There are a few etiquette rules to follow when at Thermea to ensure everyone has a positive experience at the spa! Some of these rules include:
- Many areas of the spa are meant to be silent! Keep your conversations for the social areas, and even then, make sure to speak softly.
- There is no smoking or vaping anywhere on the spa’s property.
- Photos are not allowed anywhere in the spa! If you want to take a few photos, you can do so in the lobby or in front of the spa.
Brenna Holeman (she/her) has adventured to over 100 countries but is incredibly proud to call Winnipeg home. Brenna spent 16 years travelling solo around the world, living in Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Osaka, Antigua, and London, England. Once a writer and editor for Expedia UK, she is a co-founder of Road Trip Manitoba and also runs This Battered Suitcase, one of the most trusted and respected travel blogs in the world.
