Pagosa Springs Colorado Yoga, Hot Springs, Skiing, Snow Boarding Vacation

DURING THIS 4-DAY YOGA SKI RETREAT YOU WILL:

• Integrate Spirit and Nature as you practice yoga, ride the mountains, heal in hotsprings, and meditate with a group dedicated to doing the same.
• Fully discover (or rediscover!) the Joy of Yoga.
• Experience the mom and pop Wolf Creek Ski Resort, known for its abundant and light, powder snow, surrounded by the gorgeous Southern San Juan Mountains. Experience small crowds and gentle terrain for the begineer to the steep and deep for the advanced.
• Enjoy exceptional yoga, riding/skiing and camaraderie, connecting with the mountains, all designed to help you spiritualize every aspect of your long weekend!
• Recharge, refresh and renew, leaving totally more inspired about your life!

 

WHERE IS PAGOSA SPRINGS/WOLF CREEK SKI AREA?

Pagosa Springs is located in the Four-Corners region of southwestern Colorado which offers an abundance of interesting activities and attractions. The region is known for its access to archeological sites, unmatched mountains, beautiful rivers, canyon lands and a wealth of cultural history. The town of Pagosa Springs is nestled in a beautiful valley on the banks of the San Juan River, surrounded by the 3 million acre San Juan Forest and adjacent to the largest contiguous wilderness area in the nation, the Weminuche Wilderness. "Pagosah" means healing waters in Ute and Pagosa Springs is home of the world's largest mineral hot springs. Wolf Creek, thirty minutes from Pagosa Springs, is a mom and pop ski resort in the Southern San Juan Mountains of Colorado, mountains where some serious soul is to be found. No frills here, just boarding and deep quality snow. Its mantra, The Most Snow in Colorado, averaging 465 inches of powder a year is dry and light. Expect sun as this area averages 300 days of sun a year.

Whether you’re a dedicated yoga enthusiast, or a more casual Yoga practicioner--whether you’re an expert on the slopes and looking to get ready for the season or a boarder/skier newbie who wants to get started right or you simply yearn for the peacefulness of the mountains and hot springs, this weekend is the perfect place to welcome the winter as you discover your own little piece of heaven!

DETAILS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Take it easy on your first day at higher elevations, especially if you come to the mountains from a low-lying area. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day each day as the air in the mountains is dry and cold. This is even more important if you will be snowboarding or skiing. Since you are at higher elevations wear a strong, protective sunscreen on exposed skin areas at all times.

The boarding at Wolf Creek is excellent; being in the mountains you should always be prepared for the changeable high-mountain environment. Recognize your own limitations. If you are tired or cold, stop for a while and drink plenty of liquids. Temperatures can suddenly change so be sure to bring plenty of layers. There is a variety of terrain (from mellow groomed runs to steep and deep powder) for all abilities and variable conditions are likely, though these conditions take time to learn how to ride, we will begin gently, with hands-on guidance and expertise. We will work up to more advanced slopes that can challenge even the most avid snowboarder or skier. You will have the option to choose from a plethora of options that will suit your unique needs, no matter what experience level you have.

Yoga classes are designed with YOU in mind. We will be sure to include poses that will help you on the slopes! Classes will include Meditation. There will be plenty of time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the area.

INVESTMENT: 

$1300 with skiing/snowboarding included -OR- $999 without skiing/snowboarding

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR INVESTMENT?

• 3 nights of accommodation at The Springs Resort and Spa
• 24 hour unlimited hot springs soaking access
• Daily breakfast, three lunches, two dinners and all snacks and drinks for each day’s activities
• Apres ski on select evenings
• Transportation to and from the airport to Pagosa Springs, in private coach
• 6 Yoga classes
• Private Dharma talks facilitated by your Guides
• Two days of transportation, demo rental equipment and full day lift tickets to Wolf Creek Ski Area
• Informational snowboarding skills and safety clinic
• Private guided snowshoe tour with equipment
• All gratuities for special events, transfers, lodging and group meals.
• A special gift

NOT INCLUDED?
Airfare to and from the trip, lodging before and/or after the trip if you are coming early or staying later, gratuities for your guides, special services at the Resort such as a Spa andother activities not listed and personal items purchased during your trip. Some meals are not included during this trip to allow you the opportunity to explore the cuisine on your own.

TIPS AND GRATUITIES
Gratuities for your guides may be given at your discretion in response to their leadership and professionalism throughout the trip. We suggest 5-10% of the trip price per individual to be divided between the guiding team as an industry standard. Gratuities for all restaurants, hotels, transportation and local events are paid for by the retreat organizers.

WHAT WILL MY DAY LOOK LIKE?

Day 1 – Thursday, February 3, 2010

Afternoon: 1:00 Meet in the lobby of the Durango- La Plata County Airport in Durango, shuttle to Pagosa Springs
2:00 Arrive at Pagosa Springs, The Springs Resort and Spa, check in and brief logistics
3:00 Water yoga practice
4:00 Free time

Evening:
7:00 Microbrew tasting at Pagosa Brewery and dinner
9:00 Orientation, Dharma Talk 

Day 2 – Friday, February 4, 2010

Morning:
8:00 Morning yoga practice
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Depart for Wolf Creek Ski Area 

Afternoon:
10:30 Boarding/Skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area: Tutorial and skills clinic for boarding and free ski, boxed lunch and snacks provided

Evening: 
5:00 Restorative yoga practice
7:00 Après ski at Kip's Cantina followed by dinner at place of your choosing and free time

Day 3 – Saturday, February 5, 2010

Morning:
8:00 Yoga
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Depart for Wolf Creek Ski Area

Afternoon:
10:30 Boarding/Skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area: Tutorial and skills clinic for boarding and free ski, boxed lunch and snacks provided Evening:
5:00 Special evening yoga restorative practice with live music by Native American Flute Player Charles Martinez
8:00 Après ski and dinner at Ole Miner’s Steakhouse

Day 4 – Sunday, February 6, 2010

Morning:
8:00 Closing yoga practice
9:00 Breakfast
10:30 Check out and local snowshoe tour provided by Pagosa Nordic

Afternoon:

1:00 Arrive in downtown Durango and lunch
2:30 Arrive at airport

**Please note that scheduled itinerary is subject to change due to the ebb and flow of life!

ABOUT YOUR GUIDE:

You will be guided by Kendra Charts

Kendra is a soul rider. She adores nature, yoga, snowboarding, rock climbing, surfing, people with adventurous spirits and playing in the mountains, desert and beautiful bodies of water. Kendra has studied yoga with Silvia Mordini in Anusara-inspired Vinyasa flow as part of the 200 hr Nationally accredited Yoga Teacher Training program and teaches at Total Body Yoga in Mundelein, IL. She has been snowboarding over 12 years with humble beginnings at Wilmot Mountain, WI to living the ski bum lifestyle in Aspen, CO. Kendra is Avalanche I certified, and has her CPR/First Aid and Outdoor Emergency Care certifications. Her love for snowboarding, powder and mountains has led her to the mountains of the West and South America. You’ll find her passion for the mountains and her wonder for nature contagious.

WHEN WILL I NEED TO ARRIVE AND WHEN DO I LEAVE?

Arrival Location: 
You will need to arrive by 1 p.m. in the lobby of the Durango- La Plata County Airport (DRO) in Durango,Colorado on Thursday, December 9.

Departure Location:
At the end of your trip, you will be shuttled back to Durango. The shuttle will arrive at the Durango-La Plata County airport by 2:30pm. Please do not schedule a flight before 3:30pm. (There are 3:43pm and 5:04pm redeye Flight options from DRO to CHI).

HOW DO I GET TO PAGOSA SPRINGS IF I FLY? 
You can fly into the Durango-La Plata County Airport in Durango and drive to Pagosa Springs (about 1.5 hours away). If you plan on doing some site seeing on your free time, or if you plan on staying a day or two before or after our trip, then we suggest renting a car either way. Due to winter conditions and mountain passes it is advised to rent a vehicle with four wheel drive.

HOW DO I GET TO PAGOSA SPRINGS IF I DRIVE? 
Pagosa Springs is located 61 miles (about 1.5 hours) east of Durango. If you choose to drive to the trip start, to get there, take CO 172 north from the Durango Airport to the intersection with Hwy 160. Turn right and follow Hwy 160 east to Pagosa Springs.The final directions to our location will be emailed to you before our trip start.

DURANGO AND SILVERTON Those wanting to get quickly in & out of the area before and after your adventure will likely want to stay in Durango. If you have a rental car & time to explore the area, Durango offers an endless variety of year round activities and world-class experiences. Retrace ancient footsteps of the Ancestral Pueblo people who once lived in cliff dwellings located in nearby Mesa Verde National Park,a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll find some of the best preserved archeological sites in the United States. Take a stroll back in time with a walking tour of downtown Durango, explore Durango’s eclectic shops and art galleries and get inspired by Durango’s vibrant art scene and uniquely Colorado events. Don’t miss Durango Mountain Resort, with its 300 days of sunshine a year. The historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad also offers trips through spectacular canyons of the San Juan National Forest to Cascade Canyon throughout the winter. Or take the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, CO (1 hour driving from Durango) an old mining town. With a population of just over 500, Silverton has its perks.The winter offers a more extreme insight into the beauty of the San Juan Mountains, and creates a sense of natural wonder at the Rockies true beauty. For the expert skier, they are many. Silverton Mountain, considered one of the top 100 adventures on the planet, offers guided ski trips down intense chutes and staggering faces. Though it is expert only, the views of snow covered peaks are unparalleled.