No-snow inter retreats: shed pounds and stress at these three breathtaking desert spas - Ventureout

Another great outdoor activity is the early-morning bird watching. It might be mellow, but you'll still get a good hike (about three miles), and your knowledgeable guide will point out an incredible wealth of birds (and bunnies and lizards). Binoculars and a picnic breakfast are provided, along with your day pack. Hardcore hikers might prefer the more rigorous eight-miler to hilly Sabino Canyon. The Ranch ranks all its hikes by walking speed, so you're bound to find the one that's right for you.

Yoga/meditation Just sitting quietly in the Yoga Dome tower with its hawk's-eye view across the grounds to the distant Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains is calming enough. But for a serious yoga workout, try Yoga for Sports, which puts the focus on stretching the major muscles used in hiking, tennis and other activities. For some solo meditation, take the Ranch's Spirit Walk, a self-guided saunter through the saguaro cacti that takes you to designated spots throughout Canyon Ranch grounds, including a creek bed, park, pond and fountain.

Perfect pampering Even if you never schedule a treatment, the gigantic women's spa is so well-equipped that you can luxuriate on your own all day. There's a steam room, a eucalyptus inhalation room, a dry sauna, a walled outdoor enclave for nude sunbathing, a cold (really, really cold!) plunge pool, two capacious hot whirlpools, and niceties like iced facecloths, fresh lemonade and lots of fluffy warm towels. If you do opt for professional pampering, the list is endless: massages, facials, scrubs, wraps--you name it. Prices range from $50-$230, and treatments run 50-100 minutes. There's also a salon for haircuts, pedicures, manicures and makeup lessons ($35-$240).

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Stellar spa cuisine As delicious, varied and creative as the food here is, the greatest dining pleasure--especially if you come on your own--is getting to know the other guests. Each mealtime features several Captain's Tables where singles are seated to meet and chat. If you'd rather be alone with your food, rest assured that you'll be in excellent company: Choices include spicy Asian-inspired noodle soups, fresh fish, lamb chops, homemade pizza and, yes, real ice cream with (nonfat) chocolate sauce. How can you lose weight on all this? The secret is in moderation, not deprivation. It's astonishing how satisfying a shot-glass-sized portion of ice cream is when you've been looking forward to it all day. To give your home-cooking the same spa pizazz, sign up for the popular hands-on cooking classes.

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Moonlight at the oasis Evening is when the Ranch gets brainy, with well-credentialed, provocative speakers covering exercise, skin care, mysticism, Southwestern culture and even dream interpretation. For those who can't hack too much thinking after dinner, there are art classes such as Don't Worry, Bead Happy.

Details Four-day package, from $2,790. Includes use of all spa and resort facilities, fitness classes, outdoor activities, a fitness assessment, meals, gratuities, airport transfers from Tucson International Airport, and a selection of spa and health services based on length of stay and packaged selected (800-742-9000, canyonranch.com/tucson).--Anne M. Russell