When you long for summer, just say the word: spa

‘‘Spas are the perfect cabin-fever reliever. You walk around in a robe; you swim; it’s warm; everything is based on comfort and ease. It reminds you of summer,’’ says Susan A. Wheeler, spa director at The Equinox, in Manchester, Vt., one of a handful of spas in northern New England’s ski country that deliver the luxurious extras that make them destinations unto themselves.

Destination spas are places to warm chilled bodies, soothe sore muscles, and pamper faces brutalized by the snow, sleet, wind, and subzero temperatures. They’re also where skiers and shoppers, riders and readers can regroup, relax, and relive their day’s experiences in a pampering —and warm — environment.

Check into a destination spa, and the pluses go far beyond treatments. Relaxation roomswith fireplaces, mineral pools, whirlpool tubs, heated indoor and outdoor pools, waterfall massages and rain showers, saunas and steam rooms are just a few of the indulgent ways to warm the winter weary.

‘‘New Englanders tend to be more practical than those in other parts of the country. It’s harder to get us to treat ourselves to something,’’ says Libby Staples, director of the new spa at the Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, N.H., slated to open Jan. 22. ‘‘A spa is a luxury, but it’s also a necessity,’’ she adds. ‘‘It’s preventive care with proven health benefits.’’

Many of northern New England’s mountain resorts first gained prominence specifically for those benefits. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, city folks would travel to the mountains each summer seeking fresh air and clear, cool waters. Snow-country spas extend these benefits into the winter.

Simply visiting a spa can elevate one’s mood. ‘‘One of the biggest problems with winter is that the days are short and there’s not a lot of sunlight, especially in New England,’’ Wheeler says. ‘‘Spas tend to be happy environments; they’re usually bright, clean, uncluttered spaces with pleasant aromas.’’