COLORADO: SPA AT SNOWMAS CLUB, ASPEN
by John Roberts
The Spa: The Spa at Snowmass Club
Environment The spa is located in The Snowmass Club’s expansive 19,000-square-foot Athletic Club, a short drive from Snowmass Village and accessible by a shuttle bus making several mountain-side stops.
The Experience: To start with the typical spa guy refrain: I’d never had a facial before, had no idea what it involved, and was a tad nervous. Informants pegged the procedure as involving a lot of stinging and the prolific use of acidic products on one’s face. But when I met the spa’s master aesthetician, Kitty Bearden, she began by describing her 25 years of experience in bodywork and skincare in an incredibly soothing voice. I was immediately and entirely at ease.
Because of its high-altitude location, the spa’s facials focus on techniques to combat the drying mountain air. I received a combination of the Gentlemen’s Facial and the High-Altitude Hydrating Fiji Facial. They focused on effectively removing toxins and impurities from my skin, and then hydrating it with a cleansing steam and “moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid mask”. If that sounds technical, it should. Kitty clearly knew what she was talking about. Throughout the treatment, she discussed my particular skin type and what products and actions were beneficial and detrimental to it. Finally, after some deep-pore cleansing and treatments for razor bumps from shaving for work everyday, my skin really did look and feel wonderful.
Overall, my facial experience with Kitty was wonderful. Add her calming tone to a dim lit room, a soft massage table, and some temple massaging and any worries about the unpleasant nature of facials were immediately dispelled. Of universal benefit to all guys are two particular pieces of information she imparted to me: massage whatever cleanser you use into your face for at least one minute, and constantly hydrate your skin. Apparently these two simple actions will make a significant and immediate improvement to your face.
Spa Menu/Signature Features: The Snowmass Club has clearly invested a great deal of thought and energy into their spa menu, catering it to the needs of the area and skiers themselves. They offer five different varieties of facials, with complementary services available a la carte or in addition to any facial, including eye treatments, waxing, masks, and glycolic or hydrating treatments. Beyond Swedish, therapeutic, and sports massages the spa offers hot stone, salt scrub and cranial sacral treatments. Skin treatments include body peels, tanning and skin buffing.
Accommodations: The spa is located in the Snowmass Club, the only full service resort in the Aspen-Snowmass area. Accommodations include hotel lodging, condo vacation rentals, and on-site residences.
What to eat: The Snowmass Club offers several dining options - including patio, restaurant, and bar dining - available to spa guests. The Sage restaurant will deliver food to the spa, and more importantly, a drink from their selection of various Colorado microbrews.
What I liked best: While the true intent of the treatment was obviously my face, Kitty continually incorporated her skills as a massege therapist throughout. The end result was complete relaxation, which was nice after several day of bombing down the slopes.
The Cost: The Swedish, therapeutic, and sports massages all cost $135 for 50 minutes or $180 for 80 minutes. Facials vary in price, but the Gentlemen’s facial costs $110 for a 50 minute treatment.
Beyond the Spa: The Snowmass Club’s facilities are truly remarkable. Workout facilities include an extensive selection of free weights and machines, a studio for aerobics and yoga, and a cardio studio teeming with bikes, Stairmasters, and ellipticals ranged in front of “individual cardio-theatres.” There are four outdoor pools, two outdoor hot tubs, an 18-hole par-72 golf course, and nine indoor tennis courts—including two clay courts. Personal trainers are also available for individual sessions. The locker room includes both a sauna and spa, as well as a cold water pool for the daring.
Words to the wise: Beyond the experience of the treatments themselves, I found the knowledge imparted by the therapist to be of great value. What she told me about my skin type and how to care for it by making some changes to my daily routine, allowed the benefits of the facial to continue even after I left the spa. So listen up, and maybe take notes.
For more information: www.snowmassclub.com