A trip up to soak in the mineral-rich thermal pools at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort—north of Nelson, BC, along Kootenay Lake—is a routine pilgrimage for many Out There readers, and winter is an exceptionally magical time to visit. Sitting in the main 96-degree pool, wrapped in steam and gazing out at the snow-covered Purcell Mountains rising up from the lake is pure rejuvenation. A quick overnight trip up from Spokane for Ainsworth’s hot-springs cave and soaking pool is worth the drive all on its own, but the resort has much more to offer.  

The lake-view Ktunaxa Grill—named after the Ktunaxa First Nations whose traditional lands include a vast expanse of territory surrounding the resort—features an indigenous-inspired menu built around local ingredients. It’s a culinary experience that typically inspires repeat visits. Stay a night or two in one of the resort’s spacious, modern rooms or suites—each with hot springs access and guest-only hours—and you have yourself a full-on restorative getaway. But Ainsworth has one more surprise that elevates the whole experience.  

After a day on the slopes at nearby Whitewater or snowshoeing the river trails around Kaslo, few things beat a hot springs soak—except following it with a massage at Ainsworth’s on-site Spirit Water Spa. The spa offers Swedish, deep tissue and targeted massage work. Let skilled hands unwind tight quads or a worked-over back, giving your nervous system a full reset. The Spirit Water Spa also offers energy therapies, detoxifying clay applications and indulgent body wraps. Treatments are designed to complement time in the pools, pairing heat and minerals with whole-body relaxation.  

Ainsworth blends natural thermal relaxation, striking scenery and unpretentious resort comforts that will make any winter adventure in the Kootenays more memorable. Learn more or book your trip at Ainsworthhotsprings.com.

Sponsored

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Built from lightweight recycled nylon ripstop with a PFC-free water-repellent finish, the pack has an insulated hydration sleeve, glove-friendly zippers and two external pockets for quick access on the lift. A molded back panel sheds snow to help keep your backside dry and warm for lap after lap. MSRP: $119.95. Gregory.com

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The rechargeable battery powers up quickly through a USB-C port, delivering an hour of light after just a few minutes of charging. MSRP: $69.95. Bioliteenergy.com (Derrick Knowles) 

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The hood fits comfortably without extra space or bulk, and the jacket has two zippered hand pockets. Elastic cuffs and a partial hem adjustment lend to its warming powers. It’s a soft, sweet-looking jacket that’s ideal as a standalone layer or midweight insulator when winter cranks the weather up a notch. MSRP: $259. Mammut.com/us

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The outer shell is made from bluesign-certified, 100% recycled polyester with four-way stretch and a PFAS-free water-repellent finish that’s water resistant without feeling stiff. Inside, PAKAFILL insulation—a blend of 50% alpaca fiber and 50% recycled polyester—helps maintain warmth even in wet conditions. The Apu Parka provides lightweight protection from the elements and reliable control of your body temperature, making it a high-performance winter parka. MSRP: $349. Pakaapparel.com

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Jetboil’s precision regulator offers fine-tuned heat control—from a gentle simmer to a fast boil—even in cold conditions. A push-button igniter makes for quick, reliable starts, and the system nests neatly to fit a fuel canister, burner and stabilizer inside. This stove system is ideal for any backcountry group who want efficient, reliable water boiling or cooking without added bulk. MSRP: $199.99. Jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com

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Each radio features IP67 waterproofing, a shatter-resistant screen, and a thermoplastic shell engineered to perform in subzero temperatures down to -20°F. The lithium-ion battery lasts four to six days, and simple, one-button controls make operation easy with gloves on. Standard functions include privacy codes, scan and lock modes, NOAA weather alerts, repeater compatibility and dual-channel watch. You can also add the Waterproof Hand Mic ($65), featuring a built-in speaker, mic and push-to-talk controls without unholstering the radio. Fully waterproof and snowproof, it clips securely to clothing and stays clear and audible in wind, snow or whitewater. MSRP: $180. Rockytalkie.com

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Riptide sandals are so comfortable and lightweight, I barely notice I’m wearing them, and our 10-year-old has been wearing his non-stop for weeks. The slip-resistant outsole provides solid traction on boats, beaches, rocky trails, and in-and-out of the water. I’ve had no issues with foot support or chafing after wearing them regularly on dog walks around the neighborhood. The Riptide sandals are available in kids’ and adult sizes and a range of cool colors. MSRP: $35-$58. Xtratuf.com (Derrick Knowles) 

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Maybe you are one of those people who started having dreams about skiing or snowboarding sometime in the summer. Or you got your boards tuned before the kids went back to school and bought your season pass back in April. If you fall into one of those early bird categories, you’re probably feeling pretty ready for the approaching season, but how prepared for the sport’s dynamic, physically demanding movements is your body?  

To get a better understanding of how we should ideally be preparing for the coming ski and snowboard season, we shot some questions off to Spokane physical therapist and NW Movement Co. owner Trey Nichols. A good sign in any interview, Nichols launched into an anecdote before responding to any of our questions.  

“Do you know what is worse than getting two speeding tickets on your way to the mountain because your ski buddy didn’t wake up on time?,” he asks? “Having a season-ending injury on the first run of the day! Such was the unfortunate fate for my brother and me on a powder day that was so good that it closed down our college for a couple of days.”   

“Believe it or not,” he continued, “there is something worse than that season-ending injury. It’s a sad moment when lifelong skiers stop by my office and tell me that they just don’t have it in them to ski the way they want to, and they’re considering hanging up their skis for good this season. I say ‘moment’ because oftentimes, with a little bit of elbow grease, we can get them back on their skis with confidence.”   

OTO: How important is it really to do some kind of training for the season?  

Nichols: Pre-season strength training for skiing is just as important as oil changes for the car that’s driving you to the mountain and tune-ups for the skis or board that you’re riding. Depending on how aggressive you ski or ride and what runs you stick to (groomers, trees, moguls or powder), a lot of load can go through your legs and core. If you don’t have the strength to counter that load, you’re going to either be slower than you want, tire out too soon or possibly injure yourself. A sad reality is that after 30, we naturally start losing muscle mass. If we want to continue enjoying winter sports anything close to the way we used to and avoid injuries, our best shot at that is through strength training.  

OTO: If someone doesn’t have time or the budget for a class or gym, what can they do at home?  

Nichols: My go-to exercises that can be done anywhere are lunges, squats and Romanian deadlifts. Once you can do them without wobbling, load them with weight. The next progression is quick movements or jumping after I can do the loaded movements without wobbling. It’s the loaded exercises and plyometric exercises that best prepare us for the demands of skiing.  

OTO: What are some of the benefits of pre-season training?  

Nichols: My personal motivation for pre-season strength training is to keep up with my three boys as long as I can. They’re only getting faster! Strength training has certainly helped me keep up with them and still feel good at the end of the day.  

OTO: Tell us about your Powder READY program at NW Movement Co. 

Nichols: If you’re a skier or snowboarder who isn’t getting any younger, our Powder READY Program is designed just for you. Built by a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has kept many clients enjoying the slopes, each exercise has a very specific purpose for keeping you enjoying the mountain. Our four-week program will guide you through four workouts each week with sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes each that will help make this one of your best seasons yet. This year we’re offering a discounted Powder READY evaluation that allows us to truly customize a plan to ensure you have enough strength and endurance in your legs and core to power down the mountain and motion in your hips and back to carve through the powder. (Learn more at Nwmobilept.com.) 

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