Soak
It comes out of the hill at 115° and we pipe it across to three pools. Just hot water, the way it has been since 1903.
Closed now Opens today at 5 pm
Three Pools
- The big pool. Indoor, 96 to 100°. Made for swimming, lessons and winter nights.
- The hot pool. 105° with jets, opened in 1985 after an uncle told the family to go try Banbury’s.
- The cold plunge. 55° in the corner of the hot pool room.
The water
Spring
115°
Hot pool
105°
Big pool
96°
Cold plunge
55°
From the base of the Big Hole Mountains. Magnesium, lime and a trace of iron.
Why There Is a Hot Pool
Like bread and jam, if you have a swimming pool, you need a hot soaking pool. Over the years I noticed that the most popular spot in the pool, among adults, was the hot water pipe in the middle of the steps on the south end of the pool. One day my Uncle Darwin said, “My word, you need to try the hot pool at Banbury Hot Springs. It is so nice; you would come right home and build one!”
Phil Neibaur, 2003
Everybody loved it! We saw a steady increase in the number of bathers, as well as an increase in our income. Within three years the loan was all paid back (two years ahead of schedule!) The new pool was free and clear. Our biggest fan- is me! I have my ceremonial soak every night and every morning. As I get older, I love it even more. I can be happy with a modest living, so long as I get my twice daily soaks!
Phil Neibaur, 2003
The Hot and Cold Circuit
The old way to do it, from the people who soak twice a day.
- Start in the big pool. Swim a few laps at 96° to loosen up.
- Move to the hot pool. Ten or fifteen minutes at 105°, jets if you want them.
- Step into the cold plunge at 55° for as long as you can stand it.
- Sit on the edge and breathe until you feel your fingers again.
- Go around again.
Drink water between rounds.
Winter Swimming
Certain things just naturally belong together; milk and cookies, hamburgers and French fries, lemonade and summer. It would seem natural that hot spring soaking and winter would be one of those natural complements. Before we could open in the winter for more than an hour or two at a time, the problem of cold air and hot water creating steam had to be overcome. I explained in chapter 7 about the problem of steam in the cold weather.
Phil Neibaur, 2003
Steam on a cold night is the whole point. Winter hours are shorter because the heaters cost real money, so check before you drive.