What do powder snow and the slow spring thaw have to show you about what lies ahead on your path?
Join us for an uplifting, challenging and fun exploration of backcountry skiing, nature connection, and the inspirational energy of springtime.
“Powder snow skiing is... life, fully lived, in a blaze of reality. What we experience in powder is the original human self, which lies deeply inside each of us, still undamaged in spite of what our present culture tries to do to us. Once experienced, this kind of living is recognized as the only way to live — fully aware of the earth and the sky and the gods and you, the mortal, playing among them.”
In our modern industrialized lives, we often miss out on the enormous benefits of being in tune with the natural cycles and rhythms of the earth.
One of the most accessible and fruitful ways to realign with the natural energy rhythms of life, as indigenous people have known for a long time, is to follow the wisdom of the seasons.
Another powerful and fun practice of nature attunement is surrendering to the flow of powder ski turns down an untracked slope.
This retreat is an opportunity for you to explore both of these exquisite practices together.
Spring is a time of new beginnings as life begins waking up from the hibernation of winter. Our wild creature kin become more active, readying themselves for the high energy output of the year to come. Seeds germinate and begin to sprout. Trees start pulling energy back up from the ground to leaf out once again. At first, not much seems to be changing on the surface. But underneath, the energy of new possibility, inspiration, and motivation is building.
On this retreat, you will get to ask:
How is the same energy of spring and new beginnings also present in my life?
Together, we’ll explore questions like:
What is the just-under-the-surface energy of possibility and motivation that is building inside me?
What new bud of growth is life calling out through me?
What seeds am I planting and watering as the summer season of productivity approaches?
Where is inspiration leading me?
What is old and tired and asking to be let go of, to make space for these new beginnings?
The energy of spring aligns with the life stage of childhood: innocence, wisdom, and play. What better way to unleash our childlike playfulness, wisdom, and sense of wonder than skipping through meadows of fluffy powder snow?
We’ll enjoy an incredible 5 days and 4 nights of nature connection and backcountry skiing in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.
Between the two world-class base camps of Beyul Retreat and Harry Gates Hut, we’ll explore gorgeous and fun terrain, learn and practice basic backcountry ski skills, commune with early spring in the mountains, and chase the euphoria of the perfect powder turn.
More details below!
Harry Gates Hut. Photo courtesy of reddit.com.
A snug cabin at Beyul. Photo courtesy of Beyul Retreat.
This retreat is:
An expedition into some of the most beautiful and remote backcountry ski terrain in Colorado
An opportunity connect with and seek inspiration from nature and your higher self
A mindful, reflective, vulnerable and intentional group space where we will support and challenge each other to learn, grow, and step into further embodiment of our light
An invitation into sacred ceremonial space where we will open to intimate conversation with the land, divine mystery, and our souls
A space for fun and play! We will celebrate the beauty of spring in the mountains, free our inner children, and chase the bliss of the perfect powder ski turn
A chance to learn and practice beginner backcountry ski skills with coaching from world-class ski guide Sammy Podhurst
This retreat is NOT:
An extreme skiing expedition
An intense backcountry ski skills bootcamp
An avalanche training or certification course
A ski party trip
A luxury experience -- we will each carry our own weight, literally and metaphorically
An escape from reality -- we will use the freedom and calm of the backcountry environment to understand and face the truths of our lives and what is calling us
This retreat is a fit for:
Down-to-earth, curious, open-minded, heart-centered humans who long for deeper connection to nature and themselves and are excited to seek inspiration and new possibility in their lives
Fit and healthy folks who are comfortable skinning (hiking with skis or splitboard on your feet) up to 7 miles in a day while carrying a backpack
Skiers and snowboarders of any level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) who are completely new to the backcountry and want to develop basic skills and awareness
Experienced backcountry skiers or snowboarders who are willing to forego the chase of steep and technical lines in favor of fun and friendly turns on moderate slopes and a uniquely intentional and connected wilderness experience
Retreat Itinerary
Friday, March 11
Arrive between 3-4pm to Beyul Retreat in Meredith, Colorado (1 hr from Aspen airport, 4 hours from Denver airport). You are welcome to arrive earlier and hang out in the main lodge until check in opens at 3pm. Group programming will begin at 4:30pm; please arrive with time to settle in and be ready to join the group then. Group opening ceremony, orientation to the experience, the land, and each other, intention setting, and group dinner. Get settled at this one-of-a-kind, world-class mountain escape.
Saturday, March 12
Morning meditation. Get acquainted with your backcountry ski or snowboard gear and avalanche safety equipment. Basic avalanche safety orientation and rescue practice. After lunch, get out for a tour and introduce yourself to the land. Group circle, dinner, hot tub, sauna, and pack for the hut in the evening.
Sunday, March 13
Skin 7 miles (mostly uphill) up to Harry Gates Hut, an historic 10th Mountain Division Hut perched at 9,700 ft of elevation in an astoundingly serene high mountain valley just beneath the Continental Divide. Along the way, a mix of curated group conversation and solo reflection time on the trail. Settle into the hut, take a short tour for some ski turns if there’s time, get cozy and cook dinner. Inspirational evening activity.
Monday, March 14
Extended ski tour from Harry Gates Hut to the summit of nearby Burnt Mountain. Ski down a gentle and fun line through open meadows and trees (with luck, in fresh powder!). Maybe make 2 laps if time and energy allow. Get coaching on life, leadership, and/or ski technique from your guides Brooks and Sammy. Group closure activity for our final evening together.
Tuesday, March 15
Pack up and clean Harry Gates Hut. Ski 7 miles (mostly downhill this time) back to Beyul. Final group circle and goodbyes. Depart by 1pm or linger into the afternoon and enjoy the facilities (showers, sauna, and hot tub, etc) at Beyul. Option to book yourself an extra night at Beyul to extend your retreat.
Food and lodging are included in retreat cost. Participants are responsible for their own travel and equipment including ski or snowboard gear, avalanche safety gear, backpack and sleeping bag. We can help you find good quality options to rent gear.
A fire warms the main lodge at Beyul. Photo courtesy of Beyul Retreat.
Testimonials from Prior Retreats
“The mentorship that Brooks provided was just incredible. Everything from the different journaling topics to what we discussed as a group to the rituals we had… Brooks is an amazing listener. When you talk to him, you feel fully heard. It’s like you’re the only person in the world. ”
“The most transformative thing for me was this idea that I can dance through life. That’s how I’m trying to live now. I ask myself: Am I dancing? What kind of dance is it? Is it a waltz, a tango? The most important thing to me now is to keep dancing. Dance like I danced with nature. Keep that spark alive to nourish my soul. My soul wants to dance!”
“The most valuable part of the experience was unlocking access and being unblinded to see my soul and the mystery. These are things I had never thought of before and had been too prideful to consider. To me, it’s not something very logical, so it’s hard to get into. But now that I did, it will never get out of my head. Every time I feel this joy come up inside of me, I feel like it’s my soul telling me “Hey, you are on the right path. Keep doing it.” I can’t put a value on that. It’s just incredible — the connection I now have with my soul and will continue to grow, and the connection I’ve now formed with nature.”
Your Guides
Brooks Barron
As founder, coach, and guide at Starlight Leadership, Brooks is having a blast weaving together his longtime passions of wilderness guiding, leadership coaching, and nature connection. On skis since age 3 as a Colorado kid, there is no other way of travel in the mountains that brings him more joy, fulfillment, and adventure.
Brooks is an experienced ski guide with NOLS, having led numerous 10-14 day winter camping and backcountry skiing expeditions in Wyoming. He’s been leading his friends on hut trips in Colorado since 2015 and is now thrilled to offer access to that magical experience to a broader audience.
In addition to his natural ability and passion as a ski coach and wilderness guide, Brooks offers participants on his retreats an opportunity to deepen their relationship with the natural world, enter into sacred reciprocity with nature, get out of their own way, and unlock new levels of alignment, flow, and aliveness.
Sammy Podhurst
Sammy has been a skiing and climbing guide with Aspen Expeditions since 2011. She is a passionate climber and an obsessive ski mountaineer. She loves to take her adventuring abroad, traveling to places like India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, as well as Europe and South America. See a post from Sammy here about climbing in the Khumbu region of Nepal.
Some of her most memorable climbs/skis have been down in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, a part of the Peruvian Andes, with several summits above 6,000m. She has done extensive ski exploration in the Elk range, with prominent ski descents from the summits of the famed Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak.
Locals in town know Sammy as “Sunny Sam,” which is easily explained once you meet her. A ball of happy, positive vibes, Sammy is always up for anything and doing so in good spirits. When Sammy is not out skiing or climbing in the mountains, she is herding her two border collies, usually running through the mountains.
Apply To Join
Standard Enrollment:
$1749
Applications open until filled
Early Bird Enrollment:
$1449*
*Save $300
Apply before Jan 15
Need-based scholarships available. Apply via program application.
COVID-19
All participants will be required to provide either proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arriving to the retreat.
Questions?
Reach out to schedule a call.
