Frequently asked questions

Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness has offerings of Traditional Free Flow Nordic Cycles of hot, cold and rest for 3 hours and Guided classes for 75 minutes. These can be combined for those who want to experience all that Saltair has to offer.

The Nordic experience consists of alternating hot, cold, rest and Repeat to maximize the health benefits for those that embrace each element. (It has become common practice that guests enjoy repeating the cycle three times to appreciate all of the elements fully, but that is always subject to what each person needs on that particular day.) The recommendation is to do the cycle three times for maximum benefits.

The hot experience is offered through the use of sauna, steam, infrared heat and pools. The cold experience is when you immerse your body in cold temperatures using pools, cold water poured from buckets above your head or showers.

The rest experience is offered in many areas inside and outside in the open air to sit and relax in a warm setting. This allowing your body to return to its natural body temperature before possibly repeating the process again. Repeating the process has the tendency for most infrequent or first-time Nordic guests to feel more open to each element in a deeper way, deepening the health benefits.

Guided classes weave aroma, breath work, movement, sauna, ice baths and group connection through rituals. This led class offers a social element and assistance through the hot and cold cycle.

If you are seeking to experience all that we have to offer on the day of your visit, this is for you.

The 3-hour Complete experience is living what we mean when we say “be guided” at Saltair. It is a combination of the Nordic experience and a Guided class.

Acts of self-care impact well-being. Take some time at Saltair to explore our signature self-care acts to improve your physical and mental health. Let us guide you with one of our signature Restore spa packages.

Enjoy a 30-minute self care package during your Nordic experience rest cycles or before/after a Guided class.

The Nordic cycle of hot, cold, rest is a relaxation ritual that has been practiced for over 2,000 years in Nordic countries and it has many studied and proven health benefits:

• It stimulates blood circulation and the lymphatic system, detoxifying and improving the immune system

• It reduces inflammation and swelling, which can relieve pain and soreness in the muscles and joints

• It releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that create a sense of well-being

• It cleanses and tones the skin. It encourages better sleep patterns as the cycle relaxes the nervous system

At Saltair we believe that if this experience occurs in a natural setting, it also inspires our reconnection to nature and our own natural state (but we don’t have a study to prove that yet!)

Included in your visit are sandals, two towels, a bathrobe, showers with body wash, shampoo, conditioner, gender-inclusive change areas with hair tools and style products.

To ensure you have a relaxing and enjoyable experience please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your booked time, bring your bathing suit, sunglasses, hat and a non-glass reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during your Nordic experience.

In order to respect all of our guests please remember that if you bring your own products, we are a pure plant product and aroma location and any products you might need will also be available for purchase in our reception retail area. The retail boutique offers Left on Friday swimsuits, sweaters and Aveda products if you happen to forget something.

The 3-hour Nordic experience welcomes you to spend time in nature and move through the hot, cold, rest cycles. Including saunas, pools.

The Guided classes are 75min offerings.

The Complete experience is a 3 hour offering including a Guided class and the Nordic experience.

Saltair provides accessible parking and drop-off zone. Please follow the main parking area signage (to the right of the main building) upon arrival. We have provided a walking trail to and from the main parking area.

Saltair is a shared space with gendered change rooms and a separate universal washroom and change area. Our saunas and pools are available for everyone to enjoy together.

Bathing suits are mandatory.

Saltair’s café has grab-and-go food prepared by locally-owned Cumin Kitchen & Drink (a New Minas-based cafe launched by Chef Jason Lynch from Le Caveau in Grand Pre) as well beverages including water, juice, coffee, tea and a bar menu of local cider, wine and beer offerings.

We invite you to enjoy our café offering of food and beverages. You are welcome to bring a non-glass water bottle to stay hydrated with two water filling stations located in the change area and sauna building. No outside food is permitted.

Saltair is a place for people to gather, socialize, rest and to take care of themselves. We ask for each guest to be mindful of the surroundings and shared spaces. We ask for cell phones and devices to be turned off and kept secure in the change rooms. Pictures can be taken in the parking lot and in front of the main building if you want to capture the moment of being on our site while respecting privacy of our guests.

At Saltair we practice silence during the Nordic Experience. The ocean and nature have a lot to offer. We ask for silence in the sauna, pools and relaxation areas. Our Guided classes promote social connection and conversation.

Also, all other areas on Saltair are open for quiet connection and conversation with friends and other community members.

You must be at least 18 years of age to access the site. Identification may be required during check-in. Watch for family special events.

Please consult with your doctor before using our saunas and pools if you are pregnant or have any other medical condition that you are concerned about.

Reservations are always recommended. Our online bookings are available on our website and by calling our guest service team will be happy to assist with any bookings or questions. Since we anticipate being very busy and schedule very precisely to maximize the experience for our guests, we do not guarantee that walk-in guests will be admitted during the time they walk in.

Bookings can be made through our online booking app, website or by calling our guest service team.

At Saltair we invite group bookings of the following.

4-6 ppl

6-10ppl

10 plus

Please call Guest Services for booking. 902-582-2400

Yes. We are happy to discuss private events. Please email info@saltairnordic.ca with your request.

Yes. Please contact our guest service team to find out more details about our corporate bookings and offerings.

We accept payment methods including credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), debit, cash, and Saltair gift cards.

Payment for your visit will be made upon checkout. A credit card is required to hold your reservation and will be charged if the appointment is no showed.

Gift cards do not expire.

We believe that all of the elements including the rain and snow add to the experience. Fortunate for our beautiful climate, the Nordic cycle, like the human body, can be used in all weather conditions and in all four seasons of Nova Scotia. For those moments when you need some shelter or a break from the elements there are several covered indoor and outdoor spaces to relax in including the gathering dome, relax room and sauna building.

Changes to reservations or cancellations can be made up to 48 hours prior to a single booking time for a full refund. Please cancel online or call to make changes or to cancel your booking. No-shows will be charged the full amount of their booking.

For group bookings..

4-6ppl: For full refund Saltair requires 5 days notice from reservation. If cancelled 72 hours before booking date 50% of the booking cost will be charged to a credit card on account. If cancelled less than 72 hours before booking 100% of booking costs are charged.

6-10ppl: For full refund Saltair requires 7 days notice from reservation. If cancelled 72 hours before booking date 50% of the booking cost will be charged to a credit card on account. If cancelled less than 72 hours before booking 100% of booking costs are charged.

10+ ppl: For full refund Saltair requires 14 days notice from reservation. If cancelled 72 hours before booking date 50% of the booking cost will be charged to a credit card on account. If cancelled less than 72 hours before booking 100% of booking costs are charged.