Nestled high above the Lauterbrunnen valley in the shadow of the Jungfrau mountain range, the village of Wengen sits in alpine pastures. Here there is quiet, no cars, just the hum of the cable cars, the clickity-clack of the mountain train, the echo of laughter bouncing off the cliff face and occasionally the call of black chuffs who sour on the thermals above some of the oldest ski slopes in Europe.
Wengen is the birth place of alpine skiing. Its warm friendly vibe, stunning views, and the quiet of zero traffic offers just the right balance for both excellent skiing and our yoga retreat - the peace and passion combination I look for when choosing a venue.
This holiday gives yogis, skiers and snowboarders, freestylers and free riders over 220 km of pistes and access to three mountain ranges with the backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It is perfect for intermediate and good skiers who love to explore and get miles under their skis or board each day.
We are staying in a boutique hotel; recently refurbished in a minimalistic classic style, this vintage chic venue is offering both single and double accommodation choices. Our yoga is enjoyed in an old style chalet, renovated to become a specialist yoga retreat adjacent to the hotel. Here, together we practice under the flickering light of the fireplace, overlooking the 4000m peaks that rise from the steep valley floor.
The yoga is practiced inside a bespoke retreat venue. Whilst practically it will be tailored to the needs of a skier or snow-boarder, yoga retreat is also a time to deepen other aspects of your practice; daily meditation in serene silence and pranayama the science of breath, enjoying the purest of air. There will be a sweet strong intuitive hatha yoga flow to start the day and a shorter quieter evening practice of restorative sahdana to cultivate stillness. A loving yogic enquiry into the essence of you through a powerful cocktail of asana, mindfulness and breath, this practice has grown from and is inspired by the teachings of Mr. Iyengar, Ashtanga and Swami Sivananda. The retreat space looks over the mountain ranges, the eyes drawn towards the high peaks and then down into to the sanctum of the heart.
I am a keeper of words and a lover of stories, philosophy and poetry. My yoga offers clarity, suggests precision, offers strength whilst suggesting softness. Mornings will be dynamic and flowing and evenings restorative. I am senior yoga teacher and teacher trainer with the Yoga Alliance Professionals UK and a Yoga Elder with the Independent Yoga Network. A strong skier who loves the mountains, this is a dream coming true to offer the clarity of yoga in the serenity of the alps.
High on the edge of the alpine plateau, nestling back into woodlands, the Alpenruhe Hotel is decorated in peaceful natural colours with designer furniture and vintage chic vibes. It has beautiful terraces from which to enjoy your drinks in the afternoon sunshine. Each room has a small individual bathroom, classic, high quality bed linen, TVs and storage space. Anti-allergic duvets and pillows are available on request. There are also smaller lounges and library spaces for cosy retreat with a good book and WiFi if you are having to juggle a little work whilst away. This is a small boutique hotel experience, providing a very different experience from that of our usual chalet holiday.
We are providing seven breakfasts and two evening meals. The hotel offers a daily buffet breakfast with hot egg options. We are also providing a meal on the Saturday night of your arrival and a forest supper in a mountain hut (less your alcohol) on the Tuesday night. Outside of these meal times we will be happy to direct you to or book the group into the many different restaurants and eateries in the town and on the slopes. This way folk can eat according to their own budget and preferences most of the evenings.
Wengen is such a unique skiing experience with a famous World Cup run that delivers skiers back into the town. Fast cable cars or mountain trains move you around the ski area from the town to Grindelwald, Murren, Kleine Scheidegg, the Shilthorn and even up to the Jungfraujoch. We can book guides, or perhaps you might choose to ski with us as an informal group of friends as you familiarise yourself with the resort over the first three days or so. Boots, skis and boards can be hired picked up and dropped off in the town. I believe this resort is best serving intermediate and advanced skiers for the ski/yoga combination. If you are beginner or nervous skier, please look at my ski yoga holiday in France where we can lovingly coach and mentor you far more inclusively.
On a clear sunny day a train trip, through the middle of the mountain and to the top of the Jungfrau mountain is a must. At over 4000m the views from the top are breathtaking. Walking around these mountains is also so soul affirming. Snow shoeing is fun and doesn’t require a lift pass whilst adrenaline seekers might fancy a paragliding trip or to learn to snow-kite. Glider flying fox type experiences are also being sold and are free to those who buy a full sports pass for the week.
Please consider carefully if you need a flight for this holiday. As an active member of POW - Protect Our Winters, I am trying to only offer holidays in Europe whereby the majority of my clients can travel by train or shared car to my retreats. Wengen is on the INCREDIBLE Swiss Rail network. This is reliable, with regular trains and plenty of helpful staff. It’s probably the most comfortable train experience I’ve enjoyed in a long time. Plan to make your way to Geneva from where you will join the Swiss rail network either at the airport or in the centre of the city. There is then a very straightforward rail route via Bern, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen to the village where you are picked up from the train station and brought to the hotel. Plan to arrive by 6pm in the village to allow for a 7:00pm meet and greet session and a 7:30pm evening meal. More details on booking are available.
A supplement 0f £100 per person can be made for mountain views and a balcony for double occupancy. There is a £200 discount for non-yoga-ing partners sharing a double room with a yogi.
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