November 2001

Slipping Away, Spa Style 
Dropping out has never seemed so intelligent 

Spa culture has now established itself in the regular rhythms of American life. Although all spas promise the experience of a healthful respite, easing the tensions of the grind, that’s only the beginning. Spa experiences are now as varied as the flavors of lollipops. Who wants cherry, who wants chocolate, who wants lime? 

Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa, Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia 

A Peak Experience, by Jenny Altman 
Mountain Trek is the ultimate sleep-away camp for grown-ups. No televisions and only one pay phone. Wake up at 6:00 a.m. each morning – gentle knock on the door, 30 minutes before yoga class. Despite the availability of DO NOT DISTURB signs, to my surprise almost my whole group of 14 showed up daily. Then, after a warm breakfast in the rustic dining room, we discussed the day’s activities: a couple of hikes, variously challenging or scenic or sportive, kayaking, or mountain biking. After loading into the lodge’s three Suburbans with lunch packed by the kitchen and planty of water, we hiked from 9 a.m. until about 4 p.m., breaking midway to eat at some staggeringly scenic spot. Back at the lodge, most of us headed right for the Jacuzzi (and scheduled massages) to relax before dinner. Although everything the chef, Mary-Jo Fetterly, made was organic and low fat, she satisfied us all with different ethnic foods and desserts – so much so that every night we gave her a round of applause for her incredible take on healthy eating. By about 9 p.m., half the group went straight to bed, but I always ended up with the late-night crowd reading or playing board games in the fireplace room until about 10:30. 
An inexperienced hiker, I had worried that I might have signed myself up for the hiking equivalent of boot camp, but that wasn’t the case at all. We usually had two or three guides with us on each hike. The group split up according to speed, with one of the guides leading the hard-core hikers through as difficult terrain as they were up for. Much of the snow in the mountains had already melted by the time of my visit in June, but one afternoon we did hike across a snowfield – difficult though worth it for the immense satisfaction of being able to look out at the snow-capped mountains. Somehow, as challenging as every hike was, there wasn’t one I couldn’t accomplish. 

At Mountain Trek, the word “spa” doesn’t mean pampering beauty treatments but healthy, natural living. The staff promote their belief that all beauty begins inside. From the hiking to the food, I couldn’t help but get a full-body overhaul. Six-day guests like me are given three massages – importantly therapeutic after long days of hiking. Mountain Trek is rugged and back to basics. You won’t find body wraps and facial peels here, but just a five-minute wall away are the Ainsworth Hot Springs. 

Particulars 
From the States, the most direct route is from Spokane Washington, a three- to four-hour drive away. Many people fly to Vancouver or Calgary and take a small plane into Castlegar. Mountain Trek’s six-day hiking program is $2139, everything included. Throughout the year there are weeks devoted to yoga (led by celebrity yoga guru Nateshvar Ken Scott), fasting, coping with menopause, and cooking. Accommodations are simple and more than adequate – a very clean private bedroom and bathroom with all the necessities. Everyone receives a backpack, a waterbottle, Mountain Trek tees, and a signature red sweat suit – all anyone ends up wearing despite the daily laundry service. The most complicated decision I had to make all week was separating my lights and darks. Even sleep-away camp was never this good to me. (800-661-5161; www.hiking.com; or email at reserve@hiking.com).

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Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa,
Box 1352, Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada V0G 1A0
1-800-661-5161
www.hiking.com
info@hiking.com