Tips for Hot Tubbing in the Cold

Many Canadians have a love/hate relationship with winter. Cold, unpredictable weather can make long days feel even worse, but the winter is also the only time of year for fun activities such as skiing, skating, outdoor hockey and snow shoeing. One unique way to enjoy the winter is from the comfort of your backyard hot tub. Unfortunately, winter weather can complicate the use of your hot tub, with snow piling up and ice covering the deck. Although many people want to enjoy the warmth and relaxation offered by their hot tub in the winter, the cold and ice can make people hesitate to venture outside. In this blog post, we will offer some helpful tips for hot tubbing in the cold this winter. 

Protect Yourself from the Elements

Unfortunately, wintertime can mean unexpected precipitation such as snow, rain or sleet. If you are already outside enjoying your hot tub, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected snow or rain. To help keep hair dry and heads warm, it’s always a good idea to wear a hat. You may also want to have an umbrella handy to open in the case of rain or snow to keep you and fellow hot tub goers warm and happy. 

Wear Sandals or Shoes

Most hot tubs are at least 10 steps away from the home, either at the end of a deck, path or even out in the yard. In the winter, your deck and yard are likely icy and covered in snow, making it incredibly dangerous to walk barefoot, especially when feet are wet. In order to keep feet warm and decrease the chances of slipping, we recommend wearing sandals, shoes or slippers to and from the hot tub in the winter. 

Warm Towels and Hot Drinks

When you are cozying up in your hot tub this winter, extend the warmth to your towels and drinks. Easily invest in a towel warmer either indoors or outdoors to keep towels warm and toasty for when it’s time to head back inside. Carry the warmth with you in a thermal mug by making a batch of hot chocolate, coffee or tea and bringing it with you for your soak. Take caution not to spill it in the tub! 

Good Quality Spa Covers

All year long it is important to maintain your desired hot tub temperature. However, this becomes much harder in the winter due to the freezing temperatures. In order to ensure you can maintain warm water temperatures all winter long, it is important to invest in a good quality spa cover. You can also invest in a floating spa blanket to help the hot tub maintain its temperature once the cover has been lifted. This can help the hot tub maintain heat even in exceptionally cold temperatures. This will help you save on energy bills and avoid the hassle of entering a tub that is less than warm. 

Invest in Accessories

The winter is a great time to invest in new accessories for your hot tub. A popular accessory that is especially useful in the winter is a handrail. Help avoid nasty slips or falls by ensuring it’s easy to enter and exit the hot tub. Another great accessory for cold winter nights is a series of heated floor mats. Invest in several mats to cover the length of the path to your hot tub to ensure bathers can keep feet warm coming in and out of the tub. A long-term investment could also be a permanent hot tub cover such as a gazebo. This will allow you to avoid the elements from above and reduce water and temperature loss while enjoying the tub in the winter. 

For all your hot tub needs this winter, Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs is here to help. With two convenient locations in Markham and Newmarket, easily browse parts, accessories and tubs. We also offer free water quality testing to ensure your water chemistry is balanced even during the cold, dry months of winter. For additional tips and tricks for winter hot tub use, visit one of our locations to talk to our expert team. We can provide answers to even your toughest questions and help you solve any issues you may be having with your tub. This winter make the most of your hot tub by following our safety tips offered above. For any additional needs, contact the Seaway team at 905-853-8500 (Newmarket) or 905-294-8030 (Markham).