A massage in the mountains

In mountain resorts out West, spa is becoming a verb - an important one in the overall resort experience. Resorts in the Western USA and Western Canada have been adding luxury spas for the past few years and are continuing non-stop.

Spaing goes hand-in-hand with skiing when pursuing indulgence and adventure. To get most out of a spa experience appointments should be made well advance, before leaving home. And when arriving at a mountain resort, ski or snowboard hard to earn the coming sumptuous pampering. At day's end, leave the cold for the warmth of steamed muslin and hot oils. Ahhhhh!

Here are some hints to maximize your experience:

• Arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for filling out forms or consultation, winding down and showering (oils are better absorbed through clean skin).
• If you're late, you'll lose out on precious treatment time.
• Don't wear jewelry. If you do, you'll be asked to remove it as it hinders the therapist.
• Ask if gratuities are included in the price. If not, 15 percent is appropriate. Some spas won't accept tips because they regard treatments as therapeutic, and you don't tips doctors or physical therapists.
• Lodging/spa packages can save you money.
• Don't overlook the little spas. It takes only one treatment room for you to get relaxed and revitalized.
• Drink lots of water before and afterward.

Here are some signature spas at a handful of the top ski and snowboard resorts in the West.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS, COLORADO
Aspen Club and Spa
This amazing facility has everything a body could need. Spa Aspen is part of the 77,000-square-foot club that includes fitness center, sports medicine and tennis. Use of the center is free if you spend $85 or more in the spa. This is not hard to do at Aspen's only full-service spa boasting 34 treatment rooms. Re-hydrate and detoxify with Aspenglow, a warm and wet back-to-the-womb therapy that starts with a chamomile wet scrub, followed by an algae body mask and steam towel wrap and topped off with a gentle lavender lotion massage. Eighty minutes costs $165; $180 after 4 p.m.

Highlight: Alpine Garden - a sun-splashed room that can be reserved for private groups like wedding parties who want to share a customized day of pampering, yoga, meditation, or workshops.  Also, check out the fabulous artwork for sale throughout the club. 866-4-VITALITY; www.aspenclub.com/.

BEAVER CREEK, COLORADO
The Bachelor Gulch Spa at the Ritz Carlton
The rugged outdoors envelops you in this 21,000 square-foot spa and fitness center. From sweeping landscape views to the rock, wood and water that surround you, the space is pure mountain luxury. Even the treatment ingredients are indigenous to the Rocky Mountains like blue spruce, apples, Douglas fir needles, alpine berries and sage. "Bachelors" of the gulch are pampered with a three-and-a-half-hour package that includes Mountain Man Sage Facial, Sports Massage, Hand and Foot Grooming, and spa cuisine lunch for $305.

Highlight: The Grotto - a dimly lit coed pool surrounded by wood and stone, reminiscent of European therapeutic caves. 970-748-6200; www.ritzcarlton.com/.

TELLURIDE, COLORADO
Golden Door Spa at the Wyndham Peaks Resort
This award-winning luxury retreat meets the standards you'd expect from Golden Door Spas in Arizona, California and Puerto Rico. But none are in a more spectacular setting than this amid jagged 14,000-foot peaks. Begin your session in the Eucalyptus steam room, followed by a cool shower and five minutes in the cedar sauna to detoxify. After a dip in the mineral whirlpool, your body, mind and spirit are ready to be restored. Choose from a number of signature treatments like the Remineralizing Body Mask, the ultimate treat for restoring moisture, minerals and balance. A warm aromatic gel with trace minerals from the sea and essential oils follows a gentle exfoliation. (50 minutes for $130).

Highlight: The O2 Bar counters the effects of decreased oxygen at altitude by balancing the body, hydrating the skin, and focusing the mind. Take up to 60 minutes at $1 per minute.  800-SPA-KIVA; www.thepeaksresort.com/spa.

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