I tried a new glacial lake plunge in Jasper and it felt amazing
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (JPL) is one of Canada’s most iconic and historic railway hotels, but it is different from its counterparts to the south, east, and west in many ways.
Set on an idyllic 700-acre resort, hugged by Lac Beauvert to the south, Mildred Lake to the north, the Athabasca River to the west, and the lodge’s sprawling century-old golf course to the east, a trip here is intentional. Located hours from any major city, reaching the JPL requires effort, but once you arrive, they do everything they can to make it worth your while.
A new experience offered by the lodge combines a trending wellness practice with exactly what makes Jasper special. Thermal and cold plunges are popping up across Alberta. The first of its kind was the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, opened in 2018, with others recently opening in Canmore and Lake Louise, and another planned for Edmonton.
Unlike other experiences, the Glacial Plunge is a guided experience that combines thermal therapy, mindful breathing, local storytelling, and the natural beauty of Lac Beauvert.
Allison Stephen/Daily Hive
“We’re seeing more people talk about the benefits of cold water therapy, so we’re really just staying in touch with wellness trends and emerging health knowledge,” said Daniel Ross, PR manager of the JPL. “We worked with Parks Canada to make sure everything was safe. We didn’t want to rush it. The big thing for us was making sure the experience was well-rounded, and all our guides were certified.”
And itās a local, natural experience, alright. Guiding us through was Meagan Huibers, a Certified Glacial Plunge Guide, born and raised in Jasper and far braver in the glacial lake waters than I.
The experience began in a quiet room indoors, where we practiced box breathing and other mindfulness exercises. After a safety briefing, we robed, toqued, and gloved up before heading to the shores of Lac Beauvert and stepping into the barrel saunas, which featured a large dome opening up to the gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
After enough time in the sauna to make a dip in a frozen lake sound grand, we made our way onto the dock, where a rectangle had been cut into the four-inch-thick ice, exposing the water beneath.
Allison Stephen
If you’ve ever immersed yourself in freezing water, you’re likely familiar with the cold shock response that causes a rapid, uncontrollable change in breathing, but this is where our guided breathwork came in. As I stepped in, deep, focused breaths helped calm the nervous system and settle into the frigid waters.
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For some, the striking view of the mountains across the lake is enough to distract from the icy reality. But for me, the snow-capped, windy peaks literally sent shivers down my spine. So I stared at the lakeside cabins, imagining curling up by the fireplace.
Six minutes went by, and it was time to get out and return to the sauna. Hydrating neroli mists felt therapeutic as we discussed the benefits of cold water therapy and the philosophy and escapades of Dutch motivational speaker and extreme athlete Wim Hof, or “The Iceman,” known for his ability to withstand extreme cold.
Allison Stephen/Daily Hive
The second cold plunge felt far easier now that I knew what I was getting into, and the six minutes passed even faster this time thanks to good conversation. One more sauna later, and I left feeling deeply relaxed.
Back in our robes, a lit fire awaited, surrounded by Adirondack chairs, offering a moment to take in the quiet and the scenery. It turns out that teaching your body to overcome something as intense as frigid water can really calm the mind. For someone whose thoughts often race at a million miles an hour, it was a welcome pause.
The writer of this was hosted by the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.