Hot and Cold Contrast Therapy in Park City

It has been shown that the alternating heat and cold exposure can provide many physiological benefits which can potentially help you play harder day after day in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. After a big day skiing powder runs in Deer Valley or grinding out miles on Park City’s singletrack, this hot-and-cold ritual can feel like the perfect après sport ritual. 

When it comes to using a Sauna, studies have shown that heat exposure triggers cardiovascular responses such as improving vascular compliance, circulation, and vasodilation. When combined with cold exposure from a cold plunge, research suggests that the extreme cold can reduce inflammation, further improve vascular compliance through vasoconstriction, and reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Cycling between the two creates a pumping effect in the vascular system, which may improve blood vessle lining function, reduce arterial stiffness, and improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to fatigued muscles. When it comes specifically to muscular responses to Nordic Cycling, studies suggest that alternating sauna and cold plunge may help improve joint mobility, raise pain thresholds, and support mental health, all of which can lead to a better next day out on the trails.

For skiers, hikers, or mountain bikers dealing with muscle fatigue, Nordic Cycling can potentially help with faster recovery and less muscle stiffness the next day.

Despite all of the potential benefits, contrast therapy isn’t for everyone. The same temperature shifts that can produce beneficial cardiovascular changes in healthy individuals also put stress on the cardiovascular system, causing heart rate and blood pressure to spike during cold immersion and drop in the sauna. People with cardiac conditions such as recent heart attack, uncontrolled angina, or severe aortic stenosis should avoid Nordic Cycling or check with their physician before trying it.

For more recovery strategies beyond hot/cold, from active recovery to compression, check out Recovery After a Day on the Slopes: Best Practices for Sore Muscles.

Here in Park City there are several amazing places to experience Nordic Cycling. Whether you’re looking for a new way to après or  winding down from a big day of shopping on Main Street, Park City’s spas have something for everyone:

• Avanto: Conveniently located at Kimball Junction this Nordic-inspired studio has one cedar wood sauna and two cold plunges at different temperatures. When attending Avanto, you make a personalized semi-private appointment time which allows you enough time to alternate between the sauna and the cold plunge without the distraction of other guests. This location is great for anyone looking to try a high class sauna/cold plunge experience without the price tag of a luxury spa.

• Stein Eriksen Lodge: Located at Deer Valley Resort, Stein Eriksen Lodge offers one cold plunge at about 50 degrees ferinehight with a hot tub, steam room, and sauna adjacent. This luxury resort experience allows you to experience your contrast bathing in the quiet serene environment of their spa. Once you’re done with your ho/cold cycles, you can take a break in their relaxation room to sip on some tea or treat yourself to a massage by one of their world class massage practitioners.
• Montage Deer Valley: Slopeside at Deer Valley Resort and home to one of Utah’s largest spas, The Montage at Deer Valley has both a Redwood Sauna and a steam room and access to a deluge shower to cool off between sauna sessions.
• The Lodge at Blue Sky: If you’re looking for more of an experience than just a spa treatment after an active day don’t miss The Lodge at Blue Sky. Here, they will take you on a curated journey to outdoor cold plunges with guided Wim Hof style breathing rituals. A luxury day awaits you while your body and muscles get the most out of contrast therapy.
• PLUNJ Park City is a Nordic-style bathhouse where patrons follow a simple routine: hot, cold, rest, repeat with a knowledgeable staff member to guide you through the process. Located just outside of Park City on Forestdale road, the unique setting and Scandinavian inspired aesthetic provides a sense of calm as you go through the Contrast Therapy process.