Canada's glacial cold plunges: A natural experience beyond any spa
Join The Weather Network's Mia Gordon as she takes a teeth-chattering plunge into frigid water in British Columbia. Discover why this wellness trend is different in B.C.'s mountainous terrain.
Ok, I was once told that cold plunges are good for your soul, but right now my soul is trying to leave my body through my frozen kneecaps.
But how did I get here? Well, to understand why cold plunges in B.C. hit different, you have to follow the path from the alpine peaks to my currently numb shins, so let’s rewind a little bit, shall we?
In the world of wellness, cold plunges have become one of the biggest trends, proven to boost dopamine levels and help reset muscles. It has become so popular that you can find a cold plunge everywhere from backyard tubs to high-end spas.
But here in B.C., we have one of the most unique cold plunge experiences, nature’s original ice bath. While most cold plungers are diving into about 10 degrees of ocean water, here we are plunging into glacier-fed rivers and lakes. And since these rivers are being fed by the melting ice packs that have been frozen for centuries, you rarely see temperatures above 4 degrees, even in the dead of summer.
In addition to their freezing temperatures, glacial depths have other unique characteristics. When envisioning an alpine glacial lake, you may picture stunning turquoise waters; however, the water can sometimes appear brown or grey. At first glance, this might lead you to believe the water is dirty, but it is actually glacial flour—fine silt created by glaciers grinding against bedrock. This means that the water is not contaminated with dirt, but rather enriched with minerals such as silica, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which you wouldn't even find at a luxurious spa.
Glacial lakes are enriched with various minerals. (The Weather Network/Canva)
Research is still being done to find out how much of these minerals we absorb through our skin, but it seems these cold plunges can act as a natural exfoliant—a mineral bath in a solution that has been trapped in the ice for thousands of years.
So there you have it, the journey from the peak to the creek, and one thing I know for certain: the forecast for my afternoon is a 100% chance of a hot shower.