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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Hot spots

The Fairmont Hot Springs soaking pool features several hot water therapeutic pools with varied temperatures for guests. They are in Canada’s largest hot spring with over 1.5 million gallons of water flowing daily through the pools.
The Fairmont Hot Springs soaking pool features several hot water therapeutic pools with varied temperatures for guests. They are in Canada’s largest hot spring with over 1.5 million gallons of water flowing daily through the pools.
Story And Photos By Mike Brodwater Correspondent

Just say the words “hot springs” and warm feelings begin to pulse through your mind and body – images of soaking and indulging yourself while the pressures of life fade away like steam rising over a cup of coffee.

Here are three Canadian hot spring resorts located within a day’s drive. This could be an epic weekend.

Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is located deep in the Canadian Rockies. The waist deep, large soaking hot pool sits at the bottom of a rocky cliff where occasionally a mountain sheep or mountain goat can be seen grazing. A larger, cooler, deeper pool provides lap swimming lanes. Nearby motels offer free passes to the hot springs.

Water temperature: Soaking pool, 103 degrees; swimming pool, 84 degrees

Website: www.RadiumHotSprings.com

Phone: (888) 347-9331

Day Pass: $9.55, adult; $8.55, senior; $5.40, youth

Skiing: Panorama Ski Resort

Ainsworth Hot Springs

How cool is this? Or rather, this is a really hot idea. Take a developed hot spring with odorless warm water and include a U-shaped cave with waist deep water. It’s like getting into a balmy steam room. That sounds really great on a bone chilling winter weekend. Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort in British Columbia can provide that kind of comfort. The location is dramatic, overlooking a large lake with the Purcell Mountains rising up on the opposite side of the lake.

Water Temperature: 108 degrees

Website: www.hotnaturally.com

Phone: (800) 668-1171

Day Pass: $18, adult; $17, senior; $13, child. Free for people staying at the resort.

Skiing: Red Mountain

Fairmont Hot Springs

More than 1.5 million gallons of water flow daily through the large and smaller pools at Fairmont Hot Springs. Located at 2,100 feet elevation, the pools overlook the Windermere Valley to the west, and the Rocky Mountains tower to the east. The resort is available in all four seasons, but when it comes to hot water soaks, winter is the best time to go. The combination of soaking in hot mineral water, eating well and staying in very comfortable accommodations will provide a memorable winter trip.

Water Temperature: 102 degrees

Website: www.fairmonthotsprings.com

Phone: (800) 663-4979

Day Pass: $12, adult; $10, senior; $11, youth. Free for people staying at the resort.

Skiing: On site ski hill and cross country trails.