Red Mountain Spa

Spas seem to be popping up around the country like dandelions after a Spring rain. The choices are mind boggling. I personally love the sophisticated spas at city hotels in downtown Chicago. But I also love the peace and escape I can find at a more casual rural spa setting in the southwest. One of my new favorites is the truly innovative spa called Red Mountain.

The Red Mountain Spa located in St George, Utah is without a doubt an amazing destination. Built in the most enviable location in the Southwest, next to Snow Canyon State Park & just miles from the world famous, heart-stirringly beautiful Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon, this adventure spa leads the way as one of the hottest new trends in spa experiences. Location Location. Location.

Positioned in front of the imposing Red Mountain range in Snow Canyon, the Red Mountain Spa quite frankly, on approach, looks like a Flintstone Village- a soft granite suburban oasis. My colleague and I did an inspection this spring. As we pulled up to the resort, Barney and Fred at the drive-in, came to our minds. The beautiful red mountains with spiraling sandstone cliffs, offers an incredible backdrop for the varied outdoor activities that the spa offers.

Red Mountain Spa offers the most extensive hiking program in this area of the country. But it is also a fine health spa that offers over fifty fitness classes, a Lifestyle Program, and an Adventure Cooking School. The Spa facility itself currently has 14 treatment rooms, one wet room a full salon and Spa Boutique. Red Mountain will be breaking ground this summer for a new 30,000 square foot Spa facility. The state of the art facility will increase the number of treatment rooms and will also include a new dining venue. It will incorporate a fire, water and earth elements in its Zen like interior. Outdoor pools and baths will be incorporated into the landscape.

In addition to all of the outdoor adventure experiences, Red Mountain offers yoga and fitness classes, educational classes on aging, healthy living, cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes. The unique blend of outdoor programs that include not only hiking, but also kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, stargazing, orienteering and the latest craze called geo-caching. By combining rugged outdoor hiking with sensual indoor “girly” activity it enables one to explore a part of themselves that they might not ordinarily do. Red Mountain Spa has proven it’s ability to bridge these two succinctly different focus’ into one cohesive spa culture. It is a place where beauty meets the brains. It is where “City- Girl” in search of a nature lesson meets “Hiker Chic” in need of a full facial makeover. And isn’t that after all an integral part of the Spa Experience? To learn.

Red Mountain Spa takes education very seriously. In its founding days, the property was strictly a weight loss center. Its focus was nutrition and health. The Spa carries that legacy into it’s future. Still on the staff at the resort is Nutritionist, Dr Ralph Ofcaracik who teaches many of the classes. He is in our assessment one of Red Mountain’s Spas greatest treasures. He is an articulate man whose love of teaching is quite evident. His genuine manner creates an easy harmonious classroom. He delivers the latest findings of complex medical studies with wit and comprehendible language. His knowledge on any nutritional matter, from supplements to herb trends, is astounding.

We took a field trip to the health food center in downtown St George with Dr. Ralph as our escort. We went through aisle after mind boggling aisle of vitamins and health foods. In his easy going, one on one style, Dr Ralph answered our questions, cleared up myths and told us the facts. He helped us more in that 2-hour period then whole years worth of studying on our own. Upon return to Chicago, we had a few additional questions. We called Dr. Ralph and he called us back within a day. That is remarkable service from a remarkable authority in the field of nutrition. Service like this is typical at Red Mountain.

The food at Red Mountain Spa is as nutritious and balanced as it is innovative. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style with required dinner reservations. The Canyon Breeze Restaurant is delightfully positioned to take advantage of the fantastic views of the Red Mountains. In the deprivation spas of the past wines were never to be served. Today there is a new trend that includes wine lists on the evening menus. This European style approach to “living life in balance” is certainly a trend we want to continue. The wine list at Red Mountain includes French and California selections with Australian wines to be added soon.

It would be very easy for me to go on and on about the many accomplished individuals that Red Mountain is privileged to have on their staff. From executive chef Jeff Crosland whose prestigious education combined with his youth and enthusiasm for healthy dining is gaining him national recognition in the culinary world. From Ian, the talented yoga instructor who is also a certified iridologist. To Deborah Evans, the forward thinking General Manager who brings over 20 years of experience in spa development and innovation to the resort. The staff at Red Mountain is exceptional They can hold their own next to any of the bigger more well known spas around the country.

We like the direction that this spa is headed in. We are keeping our eye on her and know that her journey to the top is going to be an incredible one to witness. We promise to keep you updated.