7 Spa Treatments for Beating Winter Weather
Image: Shutterstock
If you live in the Vail Valley, or you're lucky enough to visit or even own a second (or third ... or fourth ... ) home here, you've probably accepted the fact that chapped skin (and nails, and lips, and hair) is just one of the few sacrifices of spending time in our low humidity, high altitude climate. Summer brings sunburns and sun spots, and come winter, frostbite, windburn, and (more) sun burns are all too frequent reminders that you're not in the oxygen-rich climate of a low-lying locale anymore. And while our climate isn't known for being conducive to soft skin, it is home to a plethora of spas that can recreate the effect, and we've mapped out some the best ways to indulge.
Manor Vail Spa
Golden Peak
What it is
Blueberry Hydrating Winter Facial, 50 minutes, $145
What it does
Manor Vail's Blueberry Hydrating Winter Facial is like an all-natural moisture infusion for you face, with antioxidant-packed blueberry juice, bamboo extract, and a trio of rosehip, C and E oils combining to boost collagen production (a.k.a. a wrinkle-reducing protein that improves your skin's elasticity and plumpness) while deeply moisturizing your skin.
Eminence Organic's award-winning moisturizer from Manor Vail Spa
Image: Eminence Organics
DIY
If you can't commit to 50 minutes of facial nirvana at Manor Vail's Spa (which received accolades from Condé Nast Traveler as one of their readers' top picks in 2018), splurge on a bottle of Eminence Organics' Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer ($60), which was New Beauty's Best Products in the World 2018's pick for its top youth-boosting moisturizer, from the spa's retail shop for a daily DIY fountain of youth. manorvail.com
The lounge at Spa Anjali.
Spa Anjali at The Westin
Avon
What it is
The Spa Anjali Vibrancy Facial, 50 minutes, $150
What it does
After deeply cleansing and exfoliating away dead, dry skin cells, your skin's treated to a honey and berry enzyme mask before being wrapped and massaged with an essential oil balm—plus a hot stone shoulder and neck massage—that will leave you glowing (and your skin protected!) even after you step back out in the chilly winter air.
DIY
Looking to recreate the vibrancy facial's glowing results from the comfort of home? Pick up a jar of Laurel Whole Plant Organics' Facial Balm (the same product line that's used for the real thing), which promises relief from not just dry skin, but also eczema and cystic acne ($72). spaanjali.com
The Lodge at Vail Spa
Vail Village
What it is
The Ultimate Facial, 105 minutes, $425
The Lodge at Vail's DIY pick for daily hydration
Image: Hydropeptide.com
What it does
If you're looking for the fountain of youth, you should probably book an appointment with the RockResorts Spa at the Lodge at Vail, as its Ultimate Facial promises hydration, UV and environmental protection, and less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles. The process begins with a HydraFacial, which is an all-in-one cleansing, exfoliating and hydradermabrasion (which basically means your pores are cleaned out while being infused with powerful moisturizers) treatment, before you're treated to an Intraceuticals Oxygen infusion to plump up your skin and smooth out fine lines. The final step of the spa's "Ultimate" hydrating experience is a Nuface microcurrent "face lift," which stimulates your skin's cells for a radiant finish. lodgeatvail.rockresorts.com
DIY
Not ready to take the "Ultimate" plunge at the Lodge at Vail's Spa? Opt for a jar of Hydropeptide Soothing Balm from the spa's retail section, which promises to soothe your skin while blocking out environmental stressors that cause dryness ($51).
The Spa at the Arrabelle
Lionshead Village
What it is
Nourishing Hair & Scalp Treatment, 20 minutes, $75
The Spa at the Arrabelle calls Eminence Organics' Facial Recovery Oil "liquid gold"
Image: Eminence Organics
What it does
Perfect for buffing away flakes or strengthening brittle hair, aestheticians at the RockResorts Spa at the Arrabelle customize an argan and essential oil blend for your scalp's distinct needs, and let it soak down to your roots and saturate your strands while you indulge in a neck and shoulder massage.
DIY
The Spa at the Arrabelle's best selling skincare product? Eminence Organic Skincare’s Facial Recovery Oil, which helps minimize the appearance of scars and stretch marks, hydrates, and even balances oily skin in just 2 to 3 drops ($80). arrabelle.rockresorts.com
Relaxing at the Spa at the Vail Athletic Club.
Image: Vail Athletic Club
The Spa at the Vail Athletic Club
Vail Village
What it is
Radiant Vitality Facial, $285 for 75 minutes, $350 for 100 minutes
What it does
The Spa at the Vail Athletic Club's Radiant Vitality facial combines medical grade microdermabrasion (which buffs out sun damage, dry spots, acne, and fine lines) before an ultrasound treatment gives you the effect of a face lift (without the Botox needles) and plumps up your skin with a serum-rich layer of hydration.
DIY
Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Dry ($62) is the go-to wonder product recommended by the Spa at Vail Athletic Club's aestheticians, which claims to exfoliate away dead skin cells and encourage cell renewal while you sleep, so you wake up to brighter, softer skin (and less wrinkles). vailathleticclub.com
A Spa Struck treatment room.
Image: Spa Struck
Spa Struck at The Charter
Beaver Creek
What it is
Oatmeal and Honey Hydrating Wrap, 50 minutes, $140
What it does
If you're whole body could use some hydration (and some serious TLC), Spa Struck's Oatmeal and Honey Hydrating Wrap promises just that—plus, a coconut milk, agave nectar, and aloe vera-infused cocoon for a full body boost of vitamins, minerals, and moisture.
DIY
Step one: treat your whole body to Spa Struck's Oatmeal and Honey Hydrating Wrap. Step two: slather on the spa's Red Currant Protective Moisturizer ($68) with SPF 30 to seal in the benefits. spastruck.com
The Spa at the Four Seasons
Vail Village
What it is
The Platinum Hydrafacial, 45 minutes for $295, 75 minutes for $375
Natura Bisse Tolerance Recovery Cream from the Four Seasons' spa
Image: naturabisse.com
What it does
The "it" spa splurge of the moment? The Hydrafacial, which Allure Magazine claims saw more than 2 million treatments in 2017 alone, thanks to its gentle method of unclogging pores while infusing your skin with intensive moisturizing serums. The Four Seasons offer two variants of the Hydrafacial: a 45-minute session, and a 75-minute treatment that combines the Hydrafacial with lymph drainage to reduce puffiness, and LED and microcurrent technology to tone your skin—plus, a hand and foot treatment.
DIY
The Natura Bisse Ceutical Tolerance Recovery Cream is Four Seasons approved for extreme hydration, and combines 30 different ingredients to reduce inflammation, tone, and soothe freshly treated skin ($188). fourseasonsvail.com
