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There’s not much better in life than sitting in a hot pool, indoors behind glass or out in the fresh air, looking at towering snow-covered mountains above. Many mountain resorts are home to public spas that offer just this experience, along with a plethora of treatments on the spa menu, taking advantage of naturally warm, sulphur and mineral-rich waters that bubble up from below, ideal for relaxation and recovery. A good many ski resorts were health destinations long before people thought that sliding on the cold incarnation of the water could be as much fun as soaking yourself in the hot version. Some even date back to Roman times. Many of these resorts have words mean bathing like ‘Bad’, ‘Bains’, ‘Springs’ or ‘Onsen’ in their names, which is a big clue. Here are some of the best ski and spa centres. Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria Franz Klammer’s home resort has been renowned for its thermal springs since the 11th century, before evolving into a modern Alpine ski and spa destination a millennium later. Today, the village offers two public thermal facilities: Römerbad and St. Kathrein. Römerbad blends Roman-inspired architecture with panoramic mountain views, featuring saunas, steam baths, and wellness treatments. St. Kathrein boasts the largest water area, ideal for families and swimmers. Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA Famous for sending more Americans to the Winter Olympics than any other US resort, Steamboat Springs has been a spa destination since the 19th century, with roots in Native American healing traditions (perhaps that’s part of why its skiers do so well?). The town’s public facility, Old Town Hot Springs, dates back to 1913 and remains a central wellness hub. Fed by the Heart Spring, its eight mineral pools offer naturally heated, sulphur-rich waters ideal for relaxation and recovery. Visitors enjoy lap pools, water slides, and spa services year-round, with panoramic views of the Rockies. Brides les Bains, France Linked in to the world’s largest ski region, the 3 Vallées, Brides-les-Bains became a spa destination in the 17th century, famed for its thermal waters and weight-loss treatments. Today, the Grand Spa Thermal is one of France’s largest public thermal spas, with a 600 m² aquatic area and 500 m² relaxation zone. It offers slimming programmes, rheumatology treatments, and wellness therapies in a sleek, modern setting. Nozawa Onsen, Japan One of Japan’s original ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen has been a revered hot spring village for over 1,200 years, with roots tracing back to the Nara period. Today, it’s one of Japan’s most authentic onsen destinations, famed for its 13 free public bathhouses (soto-yu), each fed by natural, mineral-rich springs as well as the snow monkeys that bathe nearby. These rustic wooden baths are maintained by the local yu-nakama community and offer a glimpse into Edo-period bathing culture. Waters range from 40°C to 90°C, with therapeutic benefits said to aid skin health and recovery. Leukerbad, Switzerland As well as a great ski centre in more recent times, Leukerbad has been a spa destination since Roman times, famed for its high-altitude thermal springs. Today, it’s the largest Alpine thermal resort in Europe, with over 30 pools fed by mineral-rich waters reaching up to 51 °C. Public facilities include Leukerbad Therme, ideal for families with slides and outdoor pools, and the more serene Walliser Alpentherme & Spa, offering Roman-Irish baths and panoramic views. The smaller Therme 51° caters to wellness and rehabilitation. Courmayeur, Italy Courmayeur, one of the world’s classic ski resorts, has a spa heritage that dates back to its 18th century mineral water treatments, though today the spotlight is on nearby Pré-Saint-Didier, 6 km away, Terme di Pré-Saint-Didier is one of Italy’s most iconic Alpine spas. Set in a Belle Époque building, it offers panoramic outdoor pools, steam baths, and sensory showers fed by natural thermal springs. The sulphur-rich waters are known for their relaxing and circulatory benefits. Cauterets, France Cauterets has drawn visitors since the 19th century for its healing thermal waters, establishing its reputation as a celebrated Pyrenean spa town before becoming one of the region’s best ski areas too. Today, Les Bains du Rocher offers a modern take on this legacy, with indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam rooms, and wellness treatments set against dramatic mountain scenery. Wellness Hotel with Mountain Views - Hotel des Alpes, Cortina

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