By: Alexis Yeager
The sun is shining and shorts weather is here! As someone who practically lives outdoors during my free time in the summer, I wanted to do something to get my legs feeling extra-ready for more exposure than they’ve had since September. Enter the Hello Sunshine Leg Ritual at Waterside! This special offering was just a mud season special, but it was so popular that they decided to keep it on for the full summer. Here’s what it’s like.
Before the service even began, my therapist walked me through a few customization options that I loved. Did I want extra heat or no heat? Aromatherapy or no aromatherapy? Did I want a quiet service where I could completely zone out, or would I prefer a more educational experience where I could ask questions and learn about the techniques being used? It felt thoughtful from the very beginning and allowed me to tailor the experience to exactly what I needed that day.
There were plenty of opportunities to add on even more indulgences, including extended scalp massages and foot treatments, but honestly, this service already includes so much that I didn't feel the need. Between the massage, dry brushing, cupping, and warming anti-cellulite cream, it felt like a complete experience all on its own.
The experience actually starts as a full-body massage, which immediately makes it feel more substantial than a typical add-on treatment. The massage itself was deeply relaxing and gave me full-body bliss, but the part that makes this treatment unique is the focus on the legs. I knew I was about to spend the upcoming summer months hiking, walking, floating rivers, traveling, and generally living life in a mountain town, but I didn't realize how much tension and heaviness I was carrying until the treatment began!
If you've spent any time on wellness Instagram, you've probably heard people talk about dry brushing, but this was my first experience having it incorporated into a professional treatment. Using a specialized brush, my therapist worked along the legs with rhythmic strokes towards the heart designed to stimulate circulation and encourage lymphatic movement.
While lymphatic drainage is a much more specific modality, dry brushing is often used to support the lymphatic system and gently encourage the movement of lymph fluid throughout the body.The result wasn't painful or abrasive like I expected. Instead, it felt invigorating. Like someone was waking my legs up and getting them ready for the summer- no wonder it’s called Hello Sunshine!
The dry brushing part of my service made me curious enough that I've already decided my next appointment is going to be one of Waterside's dedicated lymphatic drainage treatments. Waterside is home to Vodder-certified lymphatic therapists, and after experiencing even a small taste of lymphatic-focused work during this service, I can absolutely understand why so many people become obsessed with it! They offer lymphatic drainage services in Steamboat Springs as both complete standalone services and add-ons to facials and massages.
Cupping is one of those treatments that people tend to recognize from the circular marks on the backs of someone who gets a cupping treatment and has bruises for days to come, but the actual experience of cupping at Waterside is much different. Instead of setting the cups on the body and leaving them there, your therapist keeps them moving so you get all the benefits without the bruising.
The cups create gentle suction against the skin, helping to increase circulation, release muscle tension, and encourage movement in tissues that can feel tight or stagnant. Along the backs of my legs, it felt surprisingly therapeutic, especially in areas that tend to carry a lot of tension after hiking, skiing, and long days on my feet.
And, I found out that even the facials at Waterside Day Spa and Salon in Steamboat incorporate cupping! They also sell at-home cupping kits so you can keep that skin stimulation going in between services. I am definitely trying out a facial with cupping after my great experience with the Hello Sunshine Leg Ritual.
Then came my favorite part: the warming anti-cellulite cream. The warming ingredients help stimulate circulation and create a noticeable feeling of heat throughout the treatment area. Combined with massage, cupping, and dry brushing, it left my legs feeling lighter, warmer, and more energized than they had in weeks. What surprised me most wasn't how my legs looked afterward—it was how they felt: less heavy, less tired, and a whole lot happier! My skin felt so smooth after dry brushing, and it felt like the circulation-stimulating techniques woke up my body in a way that nothing else had.
Because I was already fully committed to the self-care experience, I paired the treatment with a session in Waterside's Salt Room afterward. It was only $25 to add on to a service, which I loved!
After the stimulation of the massage, dry brushing, cupping, and warming cream, the salt room felt like a chance to slow everything back down. Sitting quietly in the salt room gave me time to relax, hydrate, and fully absorb the experience before heading back into the rest of my day. Whether you're looking for recovery, relaxation, or simply an excuse to spend a few uninterrupted hours taking care of yourself, I'd highly recommend combining the two.
The Hello Sunshine Leg Ritual may have been designed as a seasonal treatment, but after experiencing it for myself, it feels less like a summer special and more like a treatment that makes perfect sense for visitors and locals alike in Steamboat. It's equal parts relaxation and recovery, blending massage, lymphatic-inspired techniques, circulation support, and skin care into one surprisingly comprehensive service. And, it’s only here till the end of the summer, so I’ll definitely be coming back!
