Frequently ASKED
QUESTIONS
General Information
Where is the spa located?
Kananaskis Nordic Spa is located in a woodland setting, behind the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. To get to us via car, take the Kananaskis Trail/Highway 40 South Highway from the TransCanada Highway, turning right at the Kananaskis Village/Nakiska Road intersection. Travel 1.0 km, turn left and proceed up the hill to Kananaskis Village. Follow posted directions to the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. Driving time from Calgary International Airport is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. On-site parking is available.
What are the hours of operation?
We are open 365 days a year, rain, snow and/or shine.
Regular hours are:
9am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday; and
9am to 11pm Friday and Saturday.
Can I leave and then return again later?
At Kananaskis Nordic Spa, we honour a same-day return policy for our guests, but please note, this is based on availability at any time. Once guests have exited the spa facility, they are welcome to return that same day, provided space is available and there is no wait list in effect at that time. All spa users must check out at the reception desk and return their robe, slippers and locker key before every exit.
Is there a time limit while I am at the spa?
As a guest of the spa, you are welcome to stay with us as long as you like (during regular hours, of course!). Wind down, reset and let your mind and body achieve complete relaxation. Kananaskis Nordic Spa supports independent rejuvenation on your own terms and getting the most out of the hydrotherapy experience — and we don’t think there should be a time limit on that. To be Nordic is to be good to yourself and to forget the notion of time for a while.
Do you take reservations or advanced bookings?
Access to Kananaskis Nordic Spa is on a first-come, first-served basis during all operational hours, across all seasons. Reservations cannot be made for spa access alone. However, if you have booked a massage treatment with one of our therapists, spa access is guaranteed with these guests granted instant access upon arrival.
How do I know if there is a wait list?
Weekends are the most popular times to visit. We have an online system to track expected wait times which you can check at any time using this link here. The wait list shows who is in line by first name only, and how long they have waited for.
Please note that we do not take reservations for access to the hydrotherapy pools or saunas.
Is there parking available?
Complimentary visitor parking is available onsite for guests of the spa within the property’s public parking lots. Valet parking is available at an additional cost.
KNS Policies
Are cell phones or cameras allowed?
No. To respect the privacy of all of our guests, we ask that you leave your cell phones and cameras in the lockers provided to you.
Are children allowed at the spa?
Kananaskis Nordic Spa is an adults-only (18+) facility, however, The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge has several babysitting and childcare options for our spa guests with children. Please check the hotel website for the latest information.
What is your return policy on gift cards?
Please note that all Kananaskis Nordic Spa gift card purchases are FINAL and may not be redeemed for cash.
Service Animals at KNS
Service animals are allowed in the massage rooms, the bistro, and pool decks. They are not allowed in the kitchen, the pools, steam rooms or saunas. We will request to view the service animal’s government issued identification. If a guest fails to provide their government-issued ID, we cannot allow access for the service animal.
Are bathing suits required in the Nordic Spa?
Bathing suits are required when using Kananaskis Nordic Spa. Note that all baths and facilities are for communal use for all genders.
About The Facilities
I have limited mobility. What amenities can I access?
The locker rooms, showers, and massage treatment rooms are all accessibility-friendly and located within our Spa Lodge. Our other on-site facilities, including our wellness bistro, pools, steam and sauna cabins, and relaxation building are accessed via stairs only.
Is there food and drink available for purchase?
Two Trees Bistro offers a menu of delicious snacks and shareable, wholesome plates to order and enjoy with a variety of coffees, refreshments, and alcoholic beverages. All patrons must be 18 years of age or older and no pets are allowed.
Please note, food and drink cannot be brought into the spa, and alcoholic drinks can only be consumed within the the Two-Storey Lodge. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in all other areas of the spa.
Is the spa safe to use when you are pregnant?
The nature of our circuit using hot and cold therapy to stimulate the body has been known to increase blood pressure and circulation. We would encourage all expectant mothers to seek advice from their medical practitioner prior to using our facilities.
What are the temperatures of the various pools?
The outdoor pools at KNS are either hot, warm, or cold – and you’ll want to cycle through them all to get the full hydrotherapy experience. KNS has two hot pools, two warm pools, and one cold pool.
Hot Pool + Elements Pool: Celsius 35-40 ºC | Fahrenheit 95-104 ºF
Gathering Pool + Reflection Pool: Celsius 32-38 ºC | Fahrenheit 90-100 ºF
Cold Plunge Pool: Celsius 5-10 ºC | Fahrenheit 41-50 ºF
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the cycle of alternating between hot, warm, and cold baths followed by periods of rest. This traditional Nordic sequence stimulates blood flow, eliminates toxins, reduces stress, allows the mind to unwind, and gently increases the heart rate for an instant feeling of head-to-toe wellbeing.
Hot. Warm. Cold. Rest. Repeat
We encourage you to check out our Youtube page to view videos on the hydrotherapy cycle.
Water Quality
How do we manage the health of our waters?
Our pools are run by automated controllers. We take readings every two hours during operation and manually test our water four times to ensure the water quality information matches our automated controllers.
Once a week. we send out water samples to the provincial health lab for microbiological water analysis.
What is Your Water Supply?
We use a municipal water supply from the Kananaskis Improvement District.
How is the water treated?
We try to use a minimal amount of chemical.
In three of our pools, the Gathering, Hot, and Cold Plunge pools, we use the following chemicals:
- Chlorine (the only approved sanitation product as per Alberta Health Services)
- Muriatic Acid (Used to balance pH)
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda, Used to balance Alkalinity as per Alberta Health Services)
- Cyanuric Acid (To control Chlorine level from breaking down in UV light)
The Reflections and Element pools, we use the following chemicals:
- Salt (Saltwater swimming pools draw on dissolved salt in the water to generate chlorine. The salt cell or generator utilizes a process called electrolysis to break down or separate the salt also known as sodium chloride or NaCl in the water. The CL or chlorine is used to sanitize the water and the NA or sodium is just a by-product in the water. This means a saltwater pool is not actually chlorine free)
- Chlorine (Used as backup in case Salt system does not keep up sanitation levels and when high bather loads are experienced as per Alberta Health Services)
- Muriatic Acid (Used to balance pH)
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda, Used to balance Alkalinity as per Alberta Health Services)
- Cyanuric Acid (To control Chlorine level from breaking down in UV light)
What levels of chlorine, pH and alkalinity do you maintain?
Chlorine – Our aim is to maintain our chlorine levels between 3.0 – 5.0 ppm
pH – Our aim is to maintain our pH between 7.2 and 7.6
Alkalinity – Our aim is to maintain our Alkalinity between 60 and 100 ppm
Massage Treatments
Do you offer treatments?
We offer a minimalistic menu of massage therapy. Guests will enjoy their massage on the top floor of the Spa Lodge, where we also have two couples rooms available for partners seeking a relaxing, side-by-side massage treatment. All massage therapy treatments provide guests with full access to the spa facilities as a complimentary add-on to your experience.
I've booked a massage. Do I need to pay the day rate to access the hydrotherapy pools?
Access to the hydrotherapy pools are included with your massage booking. You will not have to pay an additional day rate.
Are your massages covered by my insurance plan?
All massage therapists are minimum 2,200-hour registered therapists. If you require a receipt for insurance purposes, please let us know at the time of booking. As all insurance policies differ, we cannot guarantee coverage.
What is the cost of your massage treatments?
Please view our massage menu here.
How far in advance should I book my treatment?
Please note that reservations are required for all massage services. Due to high demand for massage services, we recommend booking a minimum of 3-weeks in advance for a mid-week appointment and a minimum of 12-weeks in advance for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday appointment. If we are fully booked, we will certainly add you to our waiting list.
Preparing for Your Visit
What do I bring with me?
Spa shoes, a robe, two towels and a locker will be provided to you upon check-in at the reception desk, so all that’s required for entry into the spa is bathing wear. Lockers are provided in both our womens’ and mens’ changing rooms (located on the ground floor of the Spa Lodge) to store personal belongings. Please ensure that you do not leave any valuables in the lockers. We cannot guarantee the safety of your personal belongings.
Hotel Guests
Do I have to stay at the hotel to access the spa?
The spa is open to day guests, as well as overnight guests of the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. If you are visiting us for the day and not staying at the hotel note that access is on a first-come, first-served basis during all operational hours.
How Does a Spa Package Work?
If have booked a Spa Package at the Lodge, spa access is guaranteed and granted instant access upon arrival and with a spa package, you also get in-and-out privileges.
Access to the Spa Lodge from the hotel is available via the pedestrian bridge.
I am staying at the hotel but didn't book a spa package.
As a hotel guest, you qualify for a discounted rate but are subject to the same first come first serve policy as non-hotel guests. Access to the Spa Lodge from the hotel is available via the pedestrian bridge.
Have a specific question not answered here?
Please send all of your spa enquiries directly to our spa team at: concierge@knordicspa.com