Chase the Winter Blues Away

 Visit to a “Spa-tacular” New York Destinations

by Sandra Scott

When the north wind howls and the snow swirls around the corners of your home does it signal the onset of the winter blues? Chase away the winter blues by celebrating winter in a “spa-tacular” way at a New York spa.  New York spas offer the perfect mix where guests can relax in the warmth of a spa and still enjoy the wonders of winter. The choices are many. Celebrate New York’s Native American heritage, step back to the Gilded Age, catch the Olympic spirit, or escape – literally.

Celebrate Native American Heritage at Turning Stone’s Skana Spa

The newest destination spa is no gamble.  Guests at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino’s Skana Spa will always be winners. Turning Stone recently opened the newest spa in Central New York and the only spa in the Northeast that incorporates Native American elements in treating the body and spirit.

Steeped in American Indian design, spa treatments include traditional Native American herbs, plants, and flowers. Sheri Beglen of the Wolf Clan helped select the name, Skana, which means “peace” in the Oneida language. Guests will feel at “peace” when they enter the welcome area, which resembles an Oneida longhouse.

Native America heritage is apparent throughout the Spa including artwork representing Oneida Bear, Turtle, and Wolf clans.

The Oneida people believe in harmony and balance between man and nature. They placed great importance on their dreams. The Lavender Dreams treatment promotes a tranquility of the mind, body, and spirit that is so relaxing that guests soon enter “Dreamland.” The treatment begins with a gentle full body scrub followed by a lavender oil massage and an application of warm stones. Relax in the lavender wrap and dream the winter blues away. www.turningstone.com

Step back in time at Mohonk Mountain House

During the Gilded Age American aristocrats vacated to rustic but elegant retreats.  Many were seasonal but The Mohonk Mountain House has managed to survive and still provides the same high level of ambiance and service year round. Step back to a less stressful time with a visit to a place so special it is a National Historic Landmark and a member of the Historic Hotel of America. Built in 1869 this grand Victorian resort has a prized location overlooking the Hudson River Valley. Cross-country ski past snow-laden trees. Create your own “Currier and Ives” experience ice skating at the Pavilion but return in time to enjoy afternoon tea. Then retreat to the warmth of the spa.

The three-level design features wood, local stone and cedar shingles to complement the Mountain House’s existing architectural character, Along with the solarium, stone fireplace, and outdoor heated mineral pool, enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center. The pool building features windowed walls and lofty wooden beams with views of the beautiful property.

After the restorative spa treatment curl up on a sofa by a crackling fire with a favorite book. Winter will soon became a favorite time of the year. www.mohonk.com. 

Catch the Olympic spirit

Discover Lake Placid’s winter playground capturing the spirit of the Olympics. With an endless amount of outdoor activities from snow shoeing to skiing to ice skating to bobsledding, visitors will never be bored.  After a day of winter fun, retire to Mirror Lake Inn, which has its own Olympic history. In 1932, Mirror Lake Inn was winterized for the Winter Olympics and the Norwegian team rented the entire Inn and it has been a favorite winter destination ever since. The Inn offers unique outdoor excursions such as the Wilderness Adventure Snowshoe Trek and a lesson on Snow Cave Fun.

Snow lovers and snow avoiders can both enjoy the Inn’s spa that incorporates a variety of services from body treatments, facials, massages to fitness and nutrition. Experience the Adirondack Maple Sugar Body Scrub, a unique exfoliating and softening body scrub that will indulge your sense as well as your skin. Your entire body is polished with this one-of-a-kind scrub that removes dead skin cells and replenishes lost moisture to the skin for the ultimate hydrating experience. Celebrate winter as a time of renewal and rejuvenation, and outdoor fun. www.mirrorlakeinn.com

For the “Best of Time”

With a dramatic lakeside setting and the beauty of its National Historic Landmark architecture the Chautauqua Institute is best known for its summer programs that feature arts, entertainment and learning. The Chautauqua Institute is not operational during the winter but the picturesque Victorian village is perfect for a Currier & Ives sleigh ride through the snow-covered grounds followed by a spa treatment at the unique Spencer Hotel.  The Spencer Hotel, which has been welcoming guests for 100 years, may look Victorian from the outside but rooms are a literary trip –literally!  Each room is designed and dedicated to a specific author. In the Jules Verne room the bed skirt resembles the gondola of a hot air balloon complete with “sand bags.” A colorful balloon is painted on the ceiling above the bed. The Charles Dickens’ room features the works of the author, as do all the accommodations. In the Lewis Carroll Room curl up on the bed and travel to Wonderland with the Cheshire Cat looking down from the branch above the bed. Cross-country skiing, a sleigh ride, or a walk through the village followed by a spa treatment at the Spencer’s new spa then curling up with a book and a favorite libation is the perfect recipe for chasing away the winter blues. www.thespencer.com

Make your winter “spa-tacular!” Eliminate the winter doldrums and chase away the blues at one of New York State’s destination spas. Or, better yet, visit all of them – again and again.