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There is a special kind of happiness in sitting in warm water while snow falls on your head. Cold air on your face, hot water up to your shoulders, steam rising into the dark. It is one of the few things about winter that actually feels better than summer, and North America has some of the best places in the world to do it.
Here are ten worth planning a trip around.
1. Banff Upper Hot Springs, Alberta
Soaking in a hot pool with the Canadian Rockies rising right behind you is hard to beat. This one sits high on the slope of Sulphur Mountain, and in winter the contrast between the freezing air and the warm mineral water is the whole experience. It is public, affordable and open all year, and Banff town is a short drive away. Go in the evening when the lights come on and the mountains turn blue.
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2. Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
About an hour from Fairbanks, Chena is the place to come if you want hot water and the northern lights in the same night. The outdoor rock lake is open in winter, and on clear nights you can watch the aurora dancing over the steam. There is also an ice museum on the property where even the bar is carved from ice. It is remote and not cheap to reach, but it is one of the most memorable things you can do in winter anywhere.
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3. Glenwood Springs, Colorado
The Hot Springs Pool here has been welcoming guests since the late 1800s, and it is one of the largest hot springs pools in the world. It is long enough that the water feels like a small lake, with a smaller, hotter therapy pool for people who like it truly warm. The town sits right on the interstate, so it is easy to add to a ski trip, and the nearby vapor caves are a good bonus if you want something different.
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4. Ouray, Colorado
Ouray is a small mountain town surrounded by steep peaks, and it has a municipal hot springs pool that locals have been using for generations. The pools are cheap, there are several temperatures to choose from, and you can float while looking at snowy mountains in every direction. In winter the town also has an ice park, so you can watch people climb frozen waterfalls and then go soak your muscles afterward.
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5. Pagosa Springs, Colorado
The main spring here is among the deepest known hot springs in the world, and the town has built a whole collection of pools around it, many along the river. Some of them sit right beside cold water, so you can switch between hot and icy if you like that kind of thing. It is also close to Wolf Creek, which gets some of the most snow in Colorado, so a day of skiing followed by a night in the springs is an easy plan.
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6. Hot Springs, Arkansas
This one is different from the rest. There are no mountains or snow, just an old bathhouse district and a long history of people coming to take the waters. Bathhouse Row is part of a national park, and some of the historic bathhouses still run, so you can have the full old fashioned experience with a traditional bath, steam and a massage. The weather stays mild in winter, which makes it an ideal escape for anyone who wants warmth without the cold.
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7. Calistoga, California
Calistoga is a small Napa Valley town known for mud baths, where you sit in a mix of volcanic ash and hot mineral water, then soak in a hot spring pool and relax. It sounds odd, and it is also surprisingly relaxing. Pair it with a wine tasting and you have a winter weekend that feels indulgent without costing a fortune, especially in the off season when rooms are cheaper.
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8. Travertine Hot Springs, California
If you want something wild and free, this is the one. Near Bridgeport, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, Travertine is a set of natural pools right in the open with views of the snowy mountains. There are no changing rooms, no fancy facilities and no ticket booth, just warm water and wide open space. Check road conditions in winter, bring a towel and a warm layer for getting out, and go at sunset if you can.
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9. Homestead Crater, Utah
This is easily the strangest place on the list. A hot spring formed inside a limestone dome near Midway, and you reach it through a short tunnel, then soak in warm water under a hole in the ceiling with the sky above you. The water stays comfortably warm all year, and in winter the steam rises out of the top of the dome, which looks incredible. Book ahead, since the time slots fill up quickly.
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10. Thermopolis, Wyoming
Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis has a free state bathhouse, where you can soak for a limited time at no cost. It is not fancy, it is not new, and it is wonderful. The surrounding town is small and quiet in winter, and you can watch the water spill over colorful mineral terraces in the park. If your budget is tight, this is the best deal in the whole country.
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A few things to know before you go
Winter soaking is more fun when you plan for the cold. Bring a warm hat and wear it in the water, since your head can lose heat quickly and you will stay comfortable much longer. Pack flip flops or boots you can slip into easily, because walking barefoot on frozen ground from the pool to the changing room is not the vibe.
Drink plenty of water, since hot water and altitude together can make you dizzy faster than you expect. Take breaks, don’t stay in too long, and be careful when you get out of the pool, because steps and paths can be icy.
Mountain roads change fast in winter, so check conditions before driving to any of the remote places on this list. And book the popular ones early, especially around the holidays, since the best pools fill up quickly once the first snow arrives.
If you are looking for just one to start with, pick based on the mood you want. Dramatic mountains, go to Banff or Ouray. Something wild and free, choose Travertine or Thermopolis. A bit of luxury, Calistoga or Glenwood Springs. And if you want the story you will tell for years, soak under the northern lights at Chena.