Man Shave in a Man Cave
Victory Barber & Brand, Victoria
A moose, not a candy-striped pole, is the symbol of this new-generation barbershop that opened in the tony downtown Atrium building in June. The folks behind nearby Lab Salon are putting the man back in manicure. "Our goal is to restore the classic masculinity of being well-groomed, which sadly seems to have been relegated to high maintenance metrosexual types," says Victory’s Matthew Conrad. Settle into one of eight restored vintage barber chairs for a haircut, shave or a facial, billed as both the Victory Treatment ($35) and the ultimate hangover cure. Plus, find the best men’s grooming goop from around the globe.
Top treatment The Victory Wet Shave, complete with sandalwood-infused hot towels and straight-
razor smoothness ($35).
1315 Blanshard St., Victoria, 250-381-1522, victorybarbers.com

Ship Shape
C Spa, BC Ferries Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route
Taking its cue from luxe cruiseships, BC Ferries has floating spas on the Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island (9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. sailings from Thursday to Monday). It’s first-come, first-served and cash only, so make your (orderly) way to the tour operator’s desk on Deck 5 to book an appointment, then head up to the sixth for manicures, pedicures and chair massages from the experts behind the mobile Catalyst Sport Massage services.
Top treatment C French Mani-not to be confused with the C MANi, for men-with a massage add-on ($35 and $20).
604-971-2098, c-spa.ca

Third Eye Open
Ashram Spa by Therapy
Ayurveda at Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler
The quiet, wooded calm of a creekside boutique hotel is an unexpected place for South Asian wellness to come alive, but an Ayurvedic doctor, yoga and even vegan and vegetarian cuisine at Aura restaurant make for a fully rounded weekend spa getaway. Owner Ram Tumuluri brought his expertise from India (as the proprietor of 50 Therapy Ayurveda spas)-plus authentic herbs, extracts and infused oils-to Whistler last year. You’ll find conventional manicures, facials and massages here too, but this is the place to try a kizhi detoxing herbal-compress massage or the swedana aromatic steam chest.
Top treatment Abyhangam and shirodhara: an Ayurvedic rubdown for the body followed by a steady stream of warm oil on your forehead ($215, with two therapists).
2131 Lake Placid Rd., Whistler, 604-966-5715, nitalakelodge.com

Full-Scale Retreat
Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver
Fairmont has no fewer than four hotels in the Vancouver area, but the newest boasts the region’s only Willow Stream Spa, the hotel group’s own signature spa brand. From its fifth-floor oceanside perch, the spa naturally focuses on restoring energy and complementing Vancouver’s outdoorsy lifestyle. A fitness centre, a yoga studio and a couple’s room with a deep Japanese soaker tub, plus a steam room, massaging shower, spa lounge and outdoor hot-tub deck make this a place to spend a whole day.
Top treatment The Van Active series: either a cooling lavender and menthol Leg and Foot Recovery massage for runners ($139) or the Grind, a restorative massage meant to follow the North Shore’s punishing Grouse Grind (from $149).
1038 Canada Pl., Vancouver, 604-695-5300 or 877-900-5350, willowstream.com

Pore it On
Skoah, North Vancouver
This smart Vancouver-born skin-care philosophy has reached the North Shore (plus Calgary, Boston and soon the rest of the world?). Founders Chris and Andrea Scott take all the fuss and mystery out of facials with a "fit skin" concept for the gym generation and sleek modern locations that suit men and women alike. The house-brand skin-care line is no-nonsense natural and scientific, with effective ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acid in the AHA Mask and ginkgo biloba extract and echinacea in the miracle-working Skin Boost Serum. Skoah locations also sell Chiiki Munki makeup and Skoah Hair Kare.
Top treatment Facialicious includes a customized skin workout (complete with cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and a masque) to suit your skin type, plus a relaxing massage ($100).
208-50 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, 604-988-1222, skoah.com

Circuit Training
Scandinave, Whistler
For years the Tremblant location was the weekend-hangover cure of in-the-know Montrealers; now Whistler has its own indoor outdoor, hot cold, year-round circuit of hot pools, eucalyptus steam room, Finnish sauna, cool baths and cold waterfall plunges. Not just an endorphin shock to your system, the circuit is said to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the skin as it warms and detoxes you, then tone and close pores as your skin cools.
Bonus: the entire place is built on sustainable (green roof, solar heating, reusable stainless steel water bottles) principles.
Top treatment The circuit (normally $58 for a day) is included with any spa package; go for the Swedish Package ($135), and add robe rental and a smoothie ($17).
8010 Mons Rd., Whistler, 604-935-2424, scandinavewhistler.com

Modern Mad Men
SFM, Calgary
A neat three-letter acronym encompasses both a Calgary day spa/salon and modern man den, surprisingly transformed from a former government health building in the Beltline. Sang Froid is the more girly side, with Dermalogica facials, mom-to-be packages and wedding-prep services that include bridal spa parties in a room outfitted with Carrara marble and chiffon- drapes. On the M Cuts-Shaves-Shines side, a Rat Pack vibe is achieved with tan-leather barber chairs, straight-razor shaves and professional shoeshines that would make Sinatra proud.
Top treatment For her, the Age Defying Facial takes five years off like that and is a bargain ($130) to boot; for him, the Get Groomed package includes a haircut, Royale hot-towel shave, manicure, pedicure, shoe shine and "complimentary marriage advice" ($175). You can even add the Unibrow wax ($10) to better highlight those old blue eyes.
100 1333 8th St. SW, Calgary, 403-228-1600, sfmsalonspa.com

Crystal Clear
Kur Spa at Sparkling Hill Resort, Vernon
The cold sauna has stolen all of the thunder, but this glittering Swarovski crystal-bedazzled retreat perched on a cliff above Lake Okanagan is an authentic Euro-style "kur spa" (as in "taking the cure"), based on the belief that health comes through taking the waters. Here, that could mean meandering in a knee-deep Kneipp warm cold circulation-enhancing water circuit, being slathered in fango (volcanic-dust mud imported from Italy) and body-wrapped, or just taking a (clothing-optional, during certain hours) dip into the series of seven aromatherapy and crystal-enhanced steam, sauna and shower features. And the pool options: indoor, outdoor, infinity, hot and cold.
Top treatment If a full consult with a naturopathic doctor (which can include acupuncture, vitamin injections and nutritional counselling) sounds too intense, try a Sparkling Deluxe Facial with Professional Solutions ATX Double Action Serum, CoQ10 and collagen products ($180).
888 Sparkling Hill Pl., Vernon, 877-275-1556, sparklinghill.com wl