Alyeska Nordic Spa: Experience Complete Relaxation at this Thermal Spa

Just an hour outside of Anchorage, the Alyeska Nordic Spa is a must visit for any wellness lover looking for relaxation and tranquility. 

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Love a hot springs? Hop up to Fairbanks and visit the Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Why you should visit a thermal spa

I went to my first thermal pools in Iceland in 2021, but those were more about enjoying the warm pools rather than doing a hydrotherapy circuit.  

My first real thermal spa experience with that was at a spa in Whistler, BC a few years ago, and now I’m hooked!  Unfortunately, there are none near me, so I seek them out while traveling.

A thermal spa is different from a traditional spa because it is focused on hydrotherapy, rather than body treatments (massage, body wraps, facials, etc.).  Most of these spas also have massages and/or other treatments, but the reason you visit is for the hydrotherapy process. 

Thermal spas consist of three areas: hot, cold, neutral.  The hot areas are hot pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Cold is almost exclusively a cool/cold pool or body of water.  And the neutral is an indoor or outdoor space to relax quietly. Sometimes these are seats outside by a fire pit.  It can also be a room to read, or to lie down and rest.

The typical sequence for thermal therapy is 10-20 minutes in a hot atmosphere. Next you have a minute (or more) in a cold pool or cold plunge, to shock the system, followed by a minimum of 10-15 minutes to relax and reset your body. 

While the cold plunge can feel terrible depending on how cold it is, when you have the quiet relaxation afterwards, you forget all about the shock to your system. 

What to expect at the Alyeska Nordic Spa

This spa is part of the Alyeska Resort, a popular ski resort outside of Anchorage.  You do not have to stay at the hotel to visit the spa.  

The spa is an 18+ facility, so no screaming children running across the concrete, doing a cannonball into the pool.  This is an adult space.  It is also cell phone free once you are outside, to disconnect from technology, and appreciate the natural surroundings and enjoy the experience. 

There is also no re-entry to the spa.  You can come and go between the outdoor and indoor areas, but once you leave the building, you have to turn in your wristband, and you can not come back unless you pay for another pass. 

Parking is free at the hotel, you may need to walk a bit to get to the spa.  

Services offered by Alyeska Nordic Spa

Beyond the hydrotherapy pass, the spa offers 5 different options for a 60 minute massage. These include standard massage, couples massage, and prenatal massage. 

Alyeska Nordic Spa facilities

Upon arrival you will check in, or purchase your pass, after which you will receive your electronic wristband.  This wristband is used with the lockers to electronically open and close the doors.  At some spas, you can also attach a credit card to your wristband to buy food or drinks while visiting. 

Once you get to an open locker, inside are a robe, sandals, towel and body scrub. There is a large locker room with separate changing rooms and bathrooms.  Once you’re ready to go, you can head outside. 

The Alyeska Spa has 12 different cold, warm and hot pools for hydrotherapy as well as 7 saunas and steam rooms outside.  There are also large seating areas and fire pits outside, and some smaller seating areas inside.

If you get hungry during your stay, you can head to the bistro for snacks.  But if you happen to come in the evening, be sure to check the hours as they close well before the spa does.

Alyeska Nordic Spa map

Highlights of the Alyeska Nordic Spa

Compared to other nordic spas that I have been to, this place is huge.  There are two main outdoor spa areas.  The first is directly outside the building.  This is where you will find the large communal pools, saunas, steam rooms and seating areas. 

The second area is a short walk just past the building along a wooden boardwalk nestled in the forest.  Here there are barrel saunas and small wooden tubs of varying temperature.  This was my favorite area because there were fewer people, and it felt so peaceful being in the trees. 

One other thing I loved was the exfoliating body scrub included with the entry.  After enjoying a few rounds of pool circuits, I found a steam room and shower where I could use the scrub.  Leaving me with extra soft skin afterwards. 

I went in the evening in May, which means there is sunlight until nearly 11pm near Anchorage.  Since the spa doesn’t close until 9pm, this means you can spend the whole night at the spa, and still drive the hour back while it is light out. 

This is also the only Nordic spa in Alaska, and no other Anchorage spa will have this kind of experience. 

What should you know before booking

The spa can, and does, sell out for daily tickets.  During busy times such as weekends, peak ski season, and the summer tourist season, it is best to pre-book your spa pass. If you find they are sold out while you visit, you can join the same day waitlist, and if space opens up, you will receive a notification that you can arrive at a certain time. 

Alyeska Nordic Spa prices

Tickets for an “all day” pass (regardless of how long you spend there) at Alyeska Nordic Spa are $125 on weekdays and $139 on weekends.  Book your spa pass and massage through their website.

Students, military members and Alaska residents all receive Alyeska Nordic Spa discount prices for admission.  Alyeska also offers spa and resort packages. 

Massage rates are high, starting at $275, but the rate includes an automatic 16% gratuity.  

How to get here from Anchorage

The Alyeska Resort Nordic Spa is located in Girdwood, Alaska, which is around an hour south of Anchorage.  The drive between the two cities is along the picturesque Turnagain Arm with views of the Chugach Mountains.  If this is your first time visiting, I recommend giving yourself extra time for the drive to enjoy the scenic viewpoints, which are on the south side of the highway, and not as accessible when heading back north. 

The only way to get here is by vehicle.  Beware, rental cars can be quite expensive in Anchorage.  It is worth having a car to get outside the city and really appreciate the Alaskan scenery.  

There are also some shuttle services between Anchorage and Girdwood / the Alyeska Resort.  The shuttle ride costs $50 each way.  If you are just planning to stay in Girdwood, or at the resort, this may be a better option than renting a car. 

My review of the Alyeska Nordic Spa

Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience at the Alyeska Nordic Spa.  I really liked how large the facilities are, and that slippers and a robe were included in the price, in addition to the towel.  This is not always the case at thermal spas. 

I do however have two grievances.  First, it would be nice if the bistro was open as late (or later) than the spa.  When I visited in 2025, there was a discounted rate to go in the evening on a weekday.  After a few hours inside I was ready to grab dinner, but the kitchen had already closed.  Personally I’d rather eat after hanging out in the pools, than before, or jumping out to eat, then going back outside to enjoy the last hour available. 

My other issue is that unlike the Scandinave Spa in Whistler, this is not a silent spa, and there were times I wish it had been.  During my visit, there were people just chatting away in the sauna, as if anyone else wants to hear their conversation.  It’s not as disruptive when you’re outside, but it is super annoying in an enclosed area.   

Even with those small hiccups, I would absolutely return again. 

The company also owns the Kananaskis Spa in Alberta, near Canmore.  Next time I’m out that way, I plan to visit and compare the two. 

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• Top Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Shoulder Season
• How to Travel from Anchorage to Seward Alaska
• The Best Things to do in Seward Alaska