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– and feeling younger An invigorating retreat to Sparkling Hill

By Diana Ballon transform my life. But I could step out of the my favourites); and steam rooms (I love the frenetic pace of my day-to-day routine in rose steam room, with rose petals embed- arrived at Sparkling Hill Resort on a dark Toronto, and return with a different perspec- ded in heated wall tiles and rose scent). I starless January night but inside every- tive. At Sparkling Hill I ate incredible healthy also swam in the outdoor infi nity pool and thing glittered and shone. With 3.5 mil- and delicious meals at PeakFine restaurant soaked in the indoor hot and salt pools. lion Swarovski crystals throughout this (sometimes in a white bathrobe), met with In between, I cooled down in the (a I the spa’s kinesiologist and naturopath to 10 degree Celsius room with chips and resort, owned by Gernot Langes-Swarovski, the patriarch of the Swarovski empire, glitter make some health goals, and took their early chilled walls, and the scent of peppermint was everywhere. morning stretch and strength class and more and eucalyptus), and a thunder shower: that I had come to Vernon in B.C.’s Okanagan rigorous ski fi t class. I also had their awe- meant not only a frigid downpour but the Valley because of the mountains and beauty some volcanic ash mud wrap and massage. rumble of thunder, and the scent of orange. of this area. And I had chosen Sparkling Hill Throughout my stay, I moved between hot I also did the healing Kneipp walk, in which because of its reputation as a wellness resort and cold treatments, purported to provide you walk through a knee-deep channel of and European-style spa, where the focus is many health benefi ts – both to mind and water that alternates between hot and cold. not simply on pampering, but on health. body. I made a daily ritual of frequenting As well, I tried their cryotherapy treat- With only a few days at Sparkling Hill in several saunas (the round-shaped panorama ment, which involves spending up to three celebration of my 50th, I knew that I couldn’t and the rustic chalet-like herbal one being minutes in a minus 110 degree chamber

18 - empty nest - Fall 2016 Merrick – Jennifer PHOTO . TM STAY • STAY .COM STAY N Saskia Wijngaard, LEASE-BACK Sales Representative • SELL ve colours. And with colours. ve cross-country Lock in your gains. Theresa Baird, Broker or For more information call g, , fat biking, tubing and 905-271-5125 And continue to SELL Your house has grown in value. On our last day, we went to SilverStar SilverStar to went we day, last our On The next time I visit Sparkling Hill, I frame the natural beauty outside. Mountain Resort, about a half-hour drive neighbouring with which—together away, Sovereign Lake—has kilometres 105 of groomed cross-country trails, the most exten- quaint SilverStar’s Canada. in system trail sive mid-mountain village looks like a grouping of gingerbread houses - all buildings are required to have fi and downhill ski trails, snowshoeing, - boardin bowling all radiating from it—it’s easy for groups to reconnectmeals for or lodging re- gardless of their activity preferences. plan to try their week-long Stay and Young Healthy package. 55+ for But even without this, I had been of stress, able to let go ex- ercise, eat delicious healthy food and appre- ciate my husband and kids that much more with the distance. I could now return to ur- when like ban life with feel a sense of calm, reminded can of mind and body my what init’s nature and in peace.

Photo by Chris Lee ticketmaster.ca oor-to-ceiling windows throughout throughout windows oor-to-ceiling TICKETS: 1.855.872.5000 Jan. 2, 2017 • 2:30 pm Afterwards, I took a break with a tea in out of my comfort zone and survived it! their Serenity Room. Like most of the rest of the property, there is no artwork on the walls; fl instead, salutetovienna.com Info: 1.800.545.7807 - Fall 2016 - Fall roythomson.com European Singers, Champion Ballroom Dancers and Ballet! TICKETS: 416.872.4255 Celebrate with Strauss Waltzes and Operetta Excerpts, featuring Jan. 1, 2017 • 2:30 pm

empty nest

- While the happiest point of that treatment was when I was no longer in it. I had stepped turning in circles while listening to “Don’t wearingworry, be happy,” a bathing suit, sneakers, ear band and surgical face mask. 20

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