By DANA DUGAN and JODY ZARKOS
One cannot say "spa" without the sound "ahhh," which is exactly what the havens of relaxation are hoping to inspire in clients. It's what happens when sublime relaxation meets bliss.
While most vacationers to the Wood River Valley might not need the extra help to unwind, area residents know that everyday stresses can pile up higher than the top of Bald Mountain. And luckily there are talented people ready and willing to help make molehills out of the mountains.
There are many aestheticians for facials and other skin treatments in the Wood River Valley including Nancy Kelly's 24/7 Clinical Ski Spa in Ketchum, About Face, Luminessence Skin & Body Care, Bel Esprit and several others. As well, massage therapists make house calls and also have offices. Jenifer's of Australia in Trail Creek Village offers both massage and facials.
On the other hand, a day spa offers slightly more services and can be "made a day of," such as the Sun Valley Salon and Day Spa where acupuncture, massage and other treatments are available. Zenergy at Thunder Spring is part athletics, Pilates and yoga center, and it also offers several different types of massage including Eastern influenced and therapeutic.
In the Ketchum's 511 Building, Debi Matteson of Tru Day Spa, has erased any evidence of the former pet store and turned it into a space that is inviting and immediately shuts out any traces of the outside world. Using deep greens and lush earthtones on the walls and textiles, Matteson has created a space that both men and women find welcoming. Tru's menu includes a full range of facial and body treatments with massage, reiki, body wraps, body scrubs, waxing and peels.
"Our philosophy is truly mind-body-spirit," Matteson said. "We want to accent healing."
Matteson added that all treatments—facial care, body care, waxing, tint, body bronzing and wraps—are customized to what each individual person needs.
"I frequent a lot of spas, and the good ones spend a moment to find out about the client and what they want. I felt there was a need for that in Ketchum."
Tracy Turner, a licensed aesthetician on staff, echoed Matteson's thoughts.
"We want to give clients what they need," she said. "When they come in for a facial, we also rub their head, feet and hands so when they leave they are feeling balanced and they have clean skin."
Seven months in the planning, Tru opened in September 2006, and Matteson said response has been "overwhelming."
"We have been booked since we opened," she said. "It's really exceeded our hopes."
Matteson said she came across the name for her boutique spa in a Buddhist poem. "It means truth, being true to ourselves. It is a reflection of who we are, what we do and what we want to give to our clients healthwise, sportwise and bodywise."
Turner said it is the personal touch that makes a difference.
"It comes from our hearts when we're working on someone," she said. "When your client is happy, pleased and relaxed it comes back to you."
The Five Springs Wellness Center in Ketchum's light industrial district is a cooperative office with six practitioners who offer massage, acupuncture, kineseology, structural integration and herbalogy.
Also promoting as much wellness as spa treatments is Il Sogno in downtown Ketchum. It opened in March 2007.
Owner Kim Harrison offers various kinds of facials and massage in a salon that is what one might call sophisticated earthiness.
Il Sogno's space was once home to Harrison's teahouse and café, Strega. Recently renovated to accommodate spa rooms with showers it retains the flavor of the exotic. She has, on staff, an acupuncturist, astrologist, an esthetician, a Pilates instructor and several certified massage therapists.
"The space is very Ketchum," Harrison said. "It's relaxing but not chi-chi. I want guys to feel comfortable here, too. It's casual."
Harrison is passionate about skin therapy as she was about her imported Chinese tea, which she still serves along with wine and beer to clients at Il Sogno.
"I've been a part of this community a really long time and I got tired of the closets you go to for treatments," she said. "I started with finding the right therapists and asking what they wanted, what kind of products, lighting and linens. There will be lots of workshops and serene activities here, I hope.
"I'm just the manager at this point. I'm the designer, I do the make-up, and I keep it humming and happy."
Photos courtesy Il Sogno
Il Sogno is a spa that opened in downtown Ketchum in March 2007. The recently renovated spa includes an acupuncturist, astrologist, esthetician, Pilates instructor and several certified massage therapists.
