My Diary: The Heart of the Resort: Natural Mineral Hot Springs

The Heart of the Resort: Natural Mineral Hot Springs

SAR DIARY

Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is home to amazing natural mineral hot springs pools. The largest in Canada, these pools have seen visitors flock to their naturally heated mineral waters for over 100 years. With views that stretch across the Columbia Valley wetlands to the Purcell Mountains, a soak in the hot pools is an unforgettable experience. On top of the majestic landscape we offer three soaking temperatures (30°C, 32°C, and 39°C), in three separate pools, ensuring everyone has a comfortable and relaxing experience.

The Heart of the Resort: Natural Mineral Hot Springs

SAR DIAR

The hot springs are the heart of our resort and we’re proud to provide clean, safe and attainable access to these waters. Every wonder how we do it? Here’s how it all works:

Starting at the top of the Fairmont Range, the water used in the hot springs originate as rain or snow and seeps into the Rockies

As it heats up, the water is eventually forced back up to the surface at a much higher temperature

We collect the extremely hot water (up to 48°C) in collection boxes located just above the pools

The Heart of the Resort: Natural Mineral Hot Springs

SAR DIARY

To create the desired pool temperature, we mix the waters with cooler natural mineral waters

Finally, you sit and soak in the pools as the natural mineral water flows around you

To maintain a high level of cleanliness and provide you with an amazing experience, our pools are drained and refilled with fresh water every day in peak season and 3-4 times a week in the shoulder season. We’re also able to use fewer chemicals than most other pools, as our hot springs are flow-through. This means we cycle 1.3-1.5 million gallons of water through the pools each day!

The Heart of the Resort: Natural Mineral Hot Springs

SAR DIARY

In addition to the daily maintenance, once a year our Hot Pools Team goes all hands-on-deck to rejuvenate the surface of the pools and surrounding facilities. This means they drain, acid-bathe, wash, strip, tape, paint, straighten, repair and do just about everything they can around the clock to ready the pools and locker rooms for another great year. This process can take up to seven days with life guards, pool maintenance and ticket office staff putting in upwards of 280 man hours to refresh the pools.

The Heart of the Resort: Natural Mineral Hot Springs

SAR DIARY

With thousands of soakers, swimmers and divers visiting on a yearly, monthly and even daily basis, we are proud to provide a beautiful location to enjoy these natural wonders.