Published November 23rd, 2023

A one-tank trip if you’re in the Greater Toronto Area.

In less than half the time we’d normally spend waiting to board a flight at Pearson International Airport/YYZ, we had already arrived at Horseshoe Resort, located just north of Barrie. But despite its short distance from home, it still had all the elements of a true escape. On our family’s two-day getaway, we experienced the sauna culture of Finland, the tranquility of the forests and the carefreeness of resort life.

Welcome to Finland!

The Spa & Stay package at Horseshoe Resort features a day pass to the Vetta Nordic Spa, situated just five minutes from the resort. Vetta, which means ‘of water’, celebrates the Finnish lifestyle and its sauna culture. Pronounced ‘sow-nah’ with the first syllable sounding like the word for a female pig, it’s more than just a place to sweat, but it’s a way of life. In fact, Finland claims to have more saunas than cars with more than 3 million steamy lodges for a population of 5.5 million.

“Everyone needs a friend who can teach them about saunas, including the correct pronunciation,” said Caroline Leppanen, the spa’s ambassador who’s of Finnish descent herself. And she suggested that it would be a good idea to bring a friend, saying that the sauna tradition is very much a social activity.

For this reason, unlike some Nordic spas, guests are encouraged to talk and socialize in a respectful way (except in the quiet zone). Given the strong link between social connection and our physical and psychological well-being, this can undoubtedly amplify the health benefits of the water therapies themselves. Research has revealed that hydrotherapy reduces inflammation, strengthens the immune system, eliminates toxins and improves sleep.

Maximizing these benefits involves a congenial circuit of Kuuma (hot), klyma (cold and admittedly not as pleasing) and Levata (relaxation) repeated for at least three rounds. How you want to do this is up to you.

“It’s a choose your own Finnish adventure,” said Leppanen.

And there was a lot of adventure to choose from. Vetta is massive, covering 25 acres with multiple options for each component of the circuit.

For Kuuma, my favourite step, there are the hot stone room, where we laid down on heated marble; two scented steam rooms with a choice of either citrus or lavender; small electric saunas; and two large wood burning saunas. It was the latter that really set Vetta apart from other Nordic spas I had visited. Imported from Finland, one was designed as a larger version of a family sauna while the other in the likeness of a community sauna one might find in Helsinki. But you wouldn’t get the view we had in an urban setting. This 70-seat sauna had floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the forest surrounding the spa.

The joy of wood burning saunas versus the electric variety is what Finns call loyly, which means the heat that encircles bathers as the water is ladled onto hot rocks.

Also authentic is the temperature of the sauna, which is hot. Really hot. But not to worry because the next step, kylma, is cold. Very cold. Options were more limited: cold plunge pool or cold plunge bucket. Neither are pleasant. But it’s an integral part of the experience that promises to release endorphins and a plethora of other health benefits. All I will say is that it felt good when it was finished, and we could move on to the final and more appealing element – Levata. There were plenty of options for relaxation: warm pools, rooms furnished with lounge chairs and fireplaces, hammocks strung among the trees and cozy fire pits. Also contributing to the sense of inner calm that was enveloping me in much the same way as the loyly steam was the natural beauty of the hardwood and pine forest. And though I’m reluctant to admit it, the spa’s no phone rule probably helped as well. I could see the tension melting from my daughter’s shoulders as well as we trapezed from station to station, trying out as much as we could. We spent about two hours at Vetta, though it would have been easy to extend this, especially if we had indulged in a body treatment or lunch at KOIVU, their Finnish-inspired restaurant. We vowed to return as we toasted, “Kippis!” and cheered our mother-daughter adventure with a mocktail.

Let’s Play Outside

Situated on 300 acres, the Horseshoe Resort had a smorgasbord of outdoor activities to choose from, depending on your interests and the season. Personally, hiking in the forest is my happy place, especially in the colourful fall season. So, I was delighted to learn that not only were there trails on the resort itself, but there were also 70 kilometres of trails adjacent to the property in the Copeland Forest, a 4,400-acre nature reserve. We used the AllTrail app to navigate the Copeland Grind, which despite its name was a very pleasant loop trail. Another nearby protected natural reserve is the Simcoe County Forest, Ontario’s largest municipally run forest. Here we hiked the Ed Sutherland Tract, a short but scenic route that also featured stone remnants of past homesteads.

Once the snow hits, cross country skiing is popular on the groomed trails of these forests, though Horseshoe Resort is best known for its Alpine skiing. With 25 runs from beginner to advanced and a new high-speed, six-person ski lift, there are options for all levels of experience. Kids and kids-at-heart also get their thrills from snow-tubing, where they can whizz down six chutes and take the carpet up to the top to do it again and again.

Spring and summer bring different fun adventures from treetop trekking and ziplining to biking, golf and segway tours.

Enjoy the Amenities

Accommodation options include 100 guestrooms and suites at the Inn at Horseshoe and 40 two-bedroom condo suites at Copeland House. The latter features a full kitchen, but be sure to indulge in a meal or two at the resort’s restaurants. Our favorite was Eleven 01 Stone Oven Pizza, which not only had delicious thin-crust pizzas but hosted a trivia night when guests and locals tested their general knowledge for prizes and bragging rights. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, fitness centre, and full-service spa.

Horseshoe Resort packages that combine activities with accommodation offer discounts. There’s the Ski and Stay, Ski and Sauna, Bed and Breakfast, and, of course, Spa and Save, for the ultimate Finnish experience close to home.

Click here to plan your blissful escape to Horseshoe Resort.

From Start to Finnish: A Blissful Escape to Horseshoe Resort

Welcome to Finland!

Let’s Play Outside

Enjoy the Amenities

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