When the wind howls and the sidewalks sparkle with frost, Winnipeg’s best mood booster isn’t another cup of coffee, it’s a steamy sauna, a eucalyptus-scented steam, and a long exhale you can feel in your shoulders. Consider this your guide to the city’s top winter wellness escapes, each offering a different vibe, from Scandinavian thermotherapy under the pines to a classic Turkish hamam ritual high above Downtown. We’ve also baked in easy tips for 300 Main/central-Downtown living, so you can turn a sub-zero day into a sub-lime one.
Why winter spa days just hit different
Cold + heat is a love story. Contrast therapy (think: hot sauna → cold plunge → rest) helps boost circulation, calm the nervous system, and melt the clench you’ve been carrying since the first snowfall. Add a slow meal, some gentle movement, and a good night’s sleep, and you’ve got a full-body reset—no plane ticket required.
1. Thermea Spa Village (Crescent Drive)
(17 min drive from 300 Main)
Best for: all-day outdoor escape, couples day, true thermotherapy fans Thermea is Winnipeg’s winter showstopper: outdoor pools sending up clouds of steam, quiet zones tucked among evergreens, wood-fire saunas, and cold experiences for the brave (hello, plunge pool and waterfall). The signature thermal cycle—hot, cold, rest, repeat—sets your pace for the day. Float between dry saunas (time your visit for the theatrical Aufguss ritual), steam rooms, relaxation chalets, and firepits. There’s no time limit, so lean into it: read between circuits, nap on a heated stone, then wander to the onsite restaurant for a lingering lunch.
Pro tip for Downtown dwellers: take a rideshare there, and float home in the backseat.
What to bring: swimsuit, flip-flops, water bottle; robes and towels are provided on site (confirm at booking).
Good to know: many zones are device-free—your nervous system will thank you.
More info: thermea.com/winnipeg
2. Ten Spa (Fort Garry Hotel, 7th floor)
(4 min drive from 300 Main)
Best for: luxe city spa day, hamam ritual, rainy/super-cold afternoons.
If you’d rather cocoon indoors, Ten Spa is your urban sanctuary. The star experience is the Turkish hamam: a centuries-old ritual of gentle heat, exfoliation, and cascading warm water that leaves you floaty and soft as a fresh duvet. You can keep it minimalist or pair with a massage or facial; either way, plan a pre- or post-treatment lounge in their serene relaxation spaces.
300 Main tip: walk through the skywalk/concourse to avoid the weather, then finish with dinner downstairs at the Oval Room Brasserie or a quiet nightcap nearby—no parka required.
More info: tenspa.ca
3. Riverstone Spa (Inn at the Forks)
(7 min drive from 300 Main)
Best for: spa + stroll combo, small groups, giftable experiences.
Tucked inside one of Winnipeg’s most-loved destinations, Riverstone blends chic interiors with cozy warmth: sauna and steam, a central fireplace, and a menu that ranges from deep-tissue to botanical body treatments. It’s perfect if you want to pair a spa afternoon with skating on the rink, a quick museum visit, or grazing your way through The Forks Market. Arrive early for thermal time, then drift out to watch the river lights.
Make it a date: book side-by-side massages, wander the Market for snacks, and wind up under twinkle lights with a warm drink.
More info: .innforks.com/riverstone-spa
Winter’s beautiful here, but it’s intense. Slotting a spa day into your cold-weather routine isn’t indulgence; it’s maintenance. Whether you’re plunging under a waterfall at Thermëa, drifting through a hamam at Ten, curling up by the fireplace at Riverstone, or breathing deep under The Leaf’s canopy, give yourself permission to slow down, warm up, and reset. Winnipeg in winter is better when you build in softness—and this is softness you can feel from your scalp to your toes.
