Calgarians like to brave the elements - we ski in the cold, we bike in the rain, we brazenly boat down the Bow while the rest of the country is sipping cold, tall ones on patios. 
But sometimes we prefer things a little less treacherous. Enter Four Elements Spa - a one-month-old spa and salon that bills itself as an urban retreat.
Designed by well-known local Jerilyn Wright, the zen space is themed on the four elements: Earth (soothing green walls); fire (a fireplace fronted by reclining chairs); water (mini-water falls); and air (a fancy deionizer that keeps the air quality to the most high-tech standards in hygiene).
We walked out dazed and skin all-sparkles after a blissful afternoon of specialty treatments. On the list, a facial ($115) tailored to our oh-so-dry Alberta skin, followed by a Dermatologica Thermal upper back massage ($85) that left us wordless. (Note to the massage die-hards: The spa's in-house masseuse specializes in Russian and deep-tissue massage.) Other treatments include hand and foot therapies, a full hair salon and waxing.
Ah, it takes a tough woman to brave these kinds of elements....
Four Elements Spa Retreat
www.elements-spa.ca
928 5th Avenue SW
403-476-4000