BRITISH COLUMBIA: HILLS HEALTH RANCH
by Judi Lees
On an early morning power walk, there is no sound except the crunch of our boots on a landscape luminous with snow. A just-risen sun dapples through the forest of Douglas Fir as our group of six huffs and puffs behind our guide. This silent, wake-up walk, makes me think that there is something to country living -- no cars, fumes or buildings interrupt this fast jaunt at The Hills Health Ranch.
With a desire to escape drizzly winter days in Vancouver, my husband and I headed to the Cariboo. (Located near 100 Mile House, it's a scenic five-hour, highway drive from Vancouver to Hills or a short flight to Williams Lake with a shuttle to the ranch.) We chose The Hills because of the variety of activities and its world-renowned spa. Owned by Juanita and Pat Corbett, the over 8,000-hectare (20,000-acre) ranch is a success story. It opened in 1985, draws guests from all over the world and has four times won an international 'specialty spa of the year' award. Recently, plans were announced for a $40 million new health village encompassing 250 new accommodation units plus a fitness facility, restaurants, shops and health services. Plans are to break ground on the project late 2005. As well, Hills has partnered with the University of Northern British Columbia in researching the health properties of regional plants, such as rosehips, chamomile and pine that are harvested on the property. The ranch currently produces a line of products utilizing local plants.
Upon arrival, it was evident that there is something for everybody here. Golden-hued log buildings -- one day lodge has public space including a restaurant, the other houses the spa/wellness complex, two buildings with accommodation plus 20 chalets tucked into the trees that are favourites with families -- overlook meadows and tree-covered hills. Indoor facilities include a large swimming pool, two Jacuzzi pools, saunas, 18 treatment rooms and a large fitness centre. There is a network of trails for Nordic skiers in winter, and hikers and horseback riders in summer. Some lead to lakes; one close-by pond is used for skating. There is a small downhill skiing and snowboard area and a few designated slopes for tubing.
Since we arrived to savour winter, we booked outdoor activities, but first, I headed to the spa. I met with a kinesiologist who tailored a three-day program for my fitness level. In some respects, Spa is rather a misnomer here. It truly is a wellness centre with activities ranging from yoga and pilates to aerobics and aqua fitness. Staff includes a medical doctor, nurses, nutritionist, physio-therapists, acupuncturist and a behavioral counselor.
For the next three days, we combined fun activities with spa visits and healthy eating. The latter, is a choice. Since some of the programs are designed for weight loss, both the ranchs restaurants have low-calorie options. We chose them often and found them delicious. We also found the Hills great for socializing. Most of the people we met were repeat visitors including several families, a politician who was once a provincial party leader, a woman from England who came for the weight loss program, and several couples on a romantic getaway.
On a sunny afternoon, we strapped on snowshoes and followed guide, Jim Dunsmuir, along a route where the only sound is the occasional plop of snow dropping from a tree branch. A two-hour hike making big foot tracks is a great work-out. Jim pointed out deer and rabbit tracks and filled us in on local history. At times, we are on the original Gold Rush Trail that goldseekers followed in the 1860s. The names of places start to make sense - 100 Mile House, for example, is 100 miles from Lillooet, a stopover on the way to Barkerville.
After time in the snow, I did laps in the pool, lazed in the Jacuzzi and then headed to the spa for a 50-minute Swedish Rosehip Relaxation Full Body Massage. The rosehips are hand-picked here and the lotion has been produced on site. A perfect end to a perfect day.
The next afternoon we joined others on a guided, two-hour cross-country glide. Between the ranch and the surrounding community are some 200 kilometres of trails as well as 40 kilometres of set tracks for racing enthusiasts. Some trails close to the ranch are convenient loops, others are challenging. Many give the sense of being in the middle of nowhere.
One of the perks of a winter getaway has to be a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Its a magical scene as you glide under a velvet-black, star-spangled sky, snug under a blanket and crisp air biting your cheeks. Through the night forest, we arrived at a snow-crusted teepee where we sipped hot wine and hummed along to guitar and fiddle music provided by local musicians. A nice touch of serendipity served western style. Our last evening we treated ourselves to dinner in 1871 Lodge. All of The Hills has a homey atmosphere but this cosy dining room exudes a country elegance with lace tablecloths and soft candlelight. The meal was memorable. Okay, so we didnt choose the low-cal specials. With all our recreational activity, I'm sure we departed a few pounds lighter.
The Hills Health Ranch is open year-round. For more information visit www.thehillshealthranch.com:new