Pagosa Springs (Ute Indian term for "healing waters")

We took yesterday off - giving our muscles a break from the slopes. We tooted around town, checked out some stores. The town is very small. There is one grocery store (City Market aka Kroger), Alco (a poor man's Walmart/5&10), ski rental shops, and some local restaurants (no big name franchises).  We explored - stopping by a souvenir shop with salt lamps and the usual t-shirts, a fresh bakery where we got some bread for our BLT's for dinner, and a malt shop for a chocolate treat. We then ended up (again) at The Springs.

Terraced to overlook the beautiful San Juan River, The Springs offers numerous hot pools to choose from. Multiple temperatures, ranging from 83 to 114 degrees F. Our favorite is The Venetian, coming in at a toasty 104 degrees. They go as high as 111 degrees (Lobster Pot), but we haven't attempted that one. Probably the most "therapeutic" pool is Serendipity, or the waterfall pool.  A rushing waterfall of warm water pounds into the pool and we sit under the strong flowing water and let the water's force pulse and massage sore neck and shoulder muscles. Each pool has a unique name and it's temperature posted: Paradise, Clouds in My Coffee, Serendipity, Serenity, Treasure, Tranquility, Boulder, Aspen, etc.  

The medicinal effects of the water was studied by U.S. Army physicians in the 1860's and their reports concluded: "The waters of Pagosa are without a doubt the most wonderful and beneficial in medicinal effects that have ever been discovered."

Views from the pools while soaking.

As you step into these mineral rich waters, the various minerals and elements in the water are absorbed through the pores in your skin. The healing process is enhanced when the pores are opened by increased water intake prior to entering the mineral pools.

When we heat up too much - we step out & sit by the open fire pits - in our bathing suits - despite it being about 20 degrees. We also have to drink lots of water since the minerals are detoxing the body. 

AJ working his way down Kelly Boyce green run.

The scenery is breathtaking, as is the altitude...literally.  Being flatlanders, we are so high up (over 10,000 feet), the first day we kept catching ourselves yawning (due to lack of oxygen) and having to take some stops/breaks down the extra long trails. Compared to other popular ski resorts (Breckenridge, Snowbird, etc.) this is very low key - never a wait on the lifts (I only fell the first lift exit and have stayed upright since) and we have the entire mountain to swoosh back and forth at our own pace.