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A Hotel Pool You Can Swim In When It's Below Zero

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Old Lodge Road, Jasper, AB, Canada, T0E1E0
February 6, 2012 at 9:30 AM | by | Comment (1)

Many parts of the U.S. are having mild winters but that doesn't mean it's hotel pool weather everywhere. Up in the snowy mountains of Alberta, Canada, you can swim all winter long--even if it's minus 40 outside.

We were skeptical when we first spotted this outdoor pool at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge last week. It is heated, of course, but look at those mountains! And the snow surrounding the pool edge!

Lucky for us, it wasn't minus 40 as it has been recently in Jasper, but the temp was still hovering in the mid-30s. Of course, curiosity got the better of us and we dragged ourselves out of our snow boots and parka and into a swimsuit.

Guests of the Fairmont who use the pool or brand new fitness center are able to use the Spa locker rooms, although you don't get access to the fancier slippers or fluffy robe that guests who've ponied up for spa treatments do. Still, you have a warm, dry place to store your belongings and retreat to for warmth post-swim.

The pool was first described to us as an 'indoor/outdoor pool,' however the indoor portion is small. It's where you can make your tentative entry into the pool, comforted by the fact that you are still inside. Then, it's off through the door and out into the great, cold wilderness...

Swimming in winter feels invigorating and kind of like you're cheating the system somehow. (Suck it, weather! I'm swimming anyway!) It definitely felt cold when we stood up but if we kept our shoulders under the water and swam or bobbed around, we were totally warm enough--and entranced by the mountain views.

Fairmont Jasper is a family-friendly hotel so expect some kids, or even loved-up honeymooners, to be sharing the pool with you.

There's no hot tub right now, but a brand new one is being installed this year and expected to be open by the summer. In the meantime, you can get warm inside the saunas or eucalyptus-infused steamrooms found in both the men's and women's locker rooms.

Disclosure: We stayed at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge as a guest of the hotel but all opinions are entirely our own.

[Photos: HotelChatter]

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Cold Hotel Pools are Good For You

Now thats a good idea! The cold water is good for the circulatory system and this is a good way to provide the best of both worlds. I like to see it when hotels get innovative! <a href="http://www.powderwhite.com/hotels/">http://www.powderwhite.com/hotels/</a>
skihotels on June 18, 2012 at 11:02 AM #Permalink

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