Fitness Retreat Review: Red Mountain Resort in St. George Utah
Utah’s Red Mountain Resort isn’t just about connecting or reconnecting with fitness, it’s about doing it outdoors in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. To start, red rock cliffs lined with hiking and biking trails surround the resort. Snow Canyon State Park is just a quarter of a mile up the road and Zion National Park is just an hour’s drive.
At Zion, find some of the world’s most talked about hikes, like Angels Landing, which kicked off our first full day as we took off on an all day guided hike (costs an add’l 195 per person). The 5.4-mile roundtrip trail starts with straight shot views of steep cliffs and narrow canyons. It’s a steady but straightforward climb for the first two miles, and then for the last half mile you will realize why it’s one of the most technical (and thrilling) climbs in a national park. Expect to walk over a narrow ridge with sheer cliff faces on both sides as you inch towards the summit. We held tight to sturdy chains hammered into the ground to pull us towards the sights ahead. From there, overlook those same deep red canyons that instantly capture your attention at the base. But this time, you are treated to an extra special aerial view.
Video: I interview our guide, Dan, at the top of Angel’s Landing.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il5X9Pc6bD8 [/youtube]
Afterwards, we chowed down on our chicken wraps (thanks Red Mountain Resort!) before our second hike of the day to Emerald Pools. Along the way, we walked under a drizzling waterfall, then to the lower pools before reaching the upper one. The hike totals 3 miles but for an added bonus, take the Grotto trail back to the base. It adds on an about an extra half mile but the extra steps are worth it for more expansive elevated views on the way down.
A sky full of sunshine led us back to Red Mountain Resort where we bolted for dinner at the onsite Canyon Breeze Restaurant. Even in hiking clothes you can eat gourmet at this resort. The seasonal menu changes nightly but most always includes everything from lamb, chicken, fish, steaks and of course vegetarian options. Executive chef Chad Leuthje uses his background from high-end luxury resorts to create healthy gourmet style meals.
He approaches each meal with a focus on nutrition and wellness. Calorie counts are listed on the menu, which I appreciate, not because I advocate counting calories, but because it brings an intentional mindset to portions. Here, it’s about eating good for you foods that leave you satisfied and sustained to keep your body tuned in. I dip house made bread into the vegetable korma, watching the sun dip behind the deep red canyons that I am still taken by at each look.
Come day two, I wake up to screaming calves from the incline on the hikes but I hustle out the door for my second dose of trail time. The resort offers guided morning hikes that meet every ability level. Wanting to cover as much of the scenic ground as possible, I opt for the endurance hike, which crossed through the Cliffs Desert Reserve. We took off on a fast walking pace with some scrambling through the rolling terrain in the backyard of Red Mountain.
As the day continues, I see familiar faces from the hike, like Susan who works for a non-profit in Oregon. We rent a few bikes and peddle uphill to a farmers market at Tuacahn Amphitheatre to meet artists and vendors in the area.
Back at the resort, lunch, like breakfast, is served buffet style. A hearty salad along with seasoned yams fills my plate and refuels me to head to Ultimate Barre, a ballet style class that is just one of the several fitness offerings. I may have not been the most graceful in the class, but always advocate for trying new things and mixing it up, even if you have to point your toes to get there.
Afterwards, I head to the Sage Stone Spa and Salon for a Canyon Warm Stone Massage. During this treatment, sage and juniper oil are used along with warm canyon stones to work out tension in muscles. I melt into the table over the next hour, wishing I could rewind the time. This kind of relaxation is hard to come by. Then again, so is the kind of relaxation the entire resort exudes- from the classed up rooms, hammocks spread through the property and outdoors sitting areas and pools. It’s all of these elements that send you home with a revamped focus on wellness that is found through fitness, the right kind of foods and of course plenty of adventure.
Check out more photos of Red Mountain Resort & Spa here
Red Mountain Resort also offers guided day hikes in Zion National Park. Check out these photos from Angel’s Landing. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most talked about and daring hikes in the nation.
Details: Red Mountain Resort
4300 Red Mountain Rd, Rossland, BC V0G 1Y0, Canada
Pricing:
All-inclusive packages start at $205 per person per day. Includes three meals daily, unlimited fitness classes and morning hikes.
For more package options: visit: https://www.redmountainresort.com/retreat-packages
Who Should Come: Anyone who is looking for a fitness retreat. If you come solo, the best way to meet people is the guided morning hikes because there is a chance to chat. Come dinner, anyone is welcome to sit at the Community Table to meet others. I came across groups of girlfriends who wanted to be active during the day and share a bottle of wine by the pool at night to families looking for an outdoors focused vacation that offered solitude. Once you are at Red Mountain Resort, you can be entertained with all sorts of organized day trips without having to map out your own itinerary.
Getting There: Fly directly into St. George Municipal Airport, which services Salt Lake City and Denver, which includes a complimentary ride to the resort. From these airports, you can catch a connecting flight to your home base. Or, fly into Las Vegas, which is two hours from the resort. From here, you can rent a car and drive or arrange for a shuttle to pick you up. Options include:
St. George Express, St. George Shuttlle, Get Around Car and Aztec Shuttle
