About The Retreat
Join us for an extraordinary winter holiday! Our retreat is situated within one of the most beautiful and remote areas of East Tyrol, Austria. It is the perfect place for adventure and to relax, refresh and make the most of all the Alps have to offer in winter. We provide snowshoe hikes, winter walks, cross country skiing and the chance to experience the stunning surrounding Alpine scenery. If skiing or snowboarding is your preference, then we are in close proximity to the local Großglockner Resort. These outdoor activities are combined with morning yoga in our panoramic studio. In the afternoons coffee, tea & freshly baked vegan cake awaits. The wood fired hot tub is ready, giving you time to soak those muscles as the evening light dances on the surrounding peaks. At our communal dinner table, a sumptuous three course plant based evening meal is served alongside local Austrian wine. Our venue stands proud at 1800m in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park and 3km above the small community of Kals am Grossglockner. The stylishly renovated guest house has 6 comfortable guest rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and thoughtfully decorated. The rooms can be made up with one double or two single beds. We also have the option of triple rooms. After an active day in the outdoors, you can enjoy the stunning view from the sunny terrace, relax in the cosy living room with a book, enjoy a drink at the bar or a meal at our long communal dining table. The in-house yoga studio has a panoramic mountain view and is the perfect place for an energising start of the day. In 2018, our retreat was featured by The Guardian newspaper as one of the best retreats in the world. In 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 it was awarded TripAdvisor's 'Best of the Best' worldwide.
Itinerary
1Day 1
1:00PM - 6:00PM
Arrive any time from 15:00, settle into your stunning mountain home. Meet other guests and hosts, enjoy a piece of freshly baked cake.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Delicious three course plant-based dinner at our communal dining table.
2Day 2
7:00AM - 8:00AM
Morning yoga class in our panoramic studio.
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Delicious organic breakfast.
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Introduction to snowshoe-hiking and easy low-level walk through the forest to begin the week.
2:00PM - 6:00PM
Delicious vegan cake and organic coffee served on your return. Warm-up in the wood-fired hot tub and enjoy the stunning views from the terrace.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Delicious three course plant-based dinner at our communal dining table.
3Day 3
7:00AM - 8:00AM
Morning yoga class in our panoramic studio.
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Delicious organic breakfast.
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Introduction to cross country skiing on the local tracks. It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face! If you have cross country ski experience, then we have a variety of blue and red routes in the valley.
2:00PM - 6:00PM
Warm up with a cup of tea and enjoy our freshly baked vegan cake. Relax on the sofa in our cosy living room or have a stretch in the yoga room.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Delicious three course plant-based dinner at our communal dining table.
4Day 4
7:00AM - 8:00AM
Morning yoga class in our panoramic studio.
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Delicious organic breakfast.
9:00AM - 3:00PM
If the visibility is great you will hike up through stunning scenery above the tree line. You reach a remote mountain hut for a picnic and then descend, creating fresh tracks with the snowshoes.
3:00PM - 6:00PM
Delicious vegan cake and organic coffee served on your return. Warm-up in the wood-fired hot tub and enjoy the stunning views from the terrace.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Delicious three course plant-based dinner at our communal dining table.
5Day 5
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Delicious organic breakfast.
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Rest day. You could use the day for your own yoga practice, to explore the picturesque town of Lienz, visit the spa, take the gondola up for some high alpine scenery, or simply relax on the sunny terrace. Some guests may want to downhill ski in the local GG resort. We are happy to arrange any equipment rental or ski lessons if required.
5:00PM - 7:30PM
Meet for a drink at the bar, before we visit one of our favourite restaurants in Kals for an Austrian dinner.
6Day 6
7:00AM - 8:00AM
Morning yoga class in our panoramic studio.
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Delicious organic breakfast.
9:00AM - 3:00PM
Cross country ski day 2 takes you away from the crowds, alongside forest trails, river paths and within nature.
3:00PM - 6:00PM
Return post activity where tea and cake awaits. Relax on the sofa in our cosy living room or play some table tennis with your new friends.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Time for a super tasty and nutritious plant based evening meal where we talk about our days adventure.
7Day 7
7:00AM - 8:00AM
Morning yoga class in our panoramic studio.
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Delicious organic breakfast.
9:00AM - 3:00PM
The final snowshoe hike is in the shadow of Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner. With stunning views, you take your binoculars to spot local wildlife such as golden eagles and ibex. Warm up in a mountain restaurant, sampling the traditional local Tyrolean food.
3:00PM - 6:00PM
When we return, coffee, tea and freshly baked cake awaits. Take a muscle soak in the wood fired hot tub, as the evening light dances on the surrounding peaks.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
At our communal dinner table, a sumptuous three course farewell dinner is served alongside local Austrian wine.
8Day 8
7:00AM - 9:00AM
Breakfast and departure.
What’s Included
7x Overnight stay & tourist tax
7 x Organic, locally sourced breakfast
6 x Afternoon tea with freshly baked, plant based cake, and organic coffee
6x delicious three course plant-based dinner with with local wine or beer
5 days of guided snowshoe hiking or cross country skiing
Use of equipment (Snowshoes, cross country skis, boots and poles)
5 x one hour morning yoga classes with certified instructor in our panoramic studio
Transfers to/from a restaurant of your choice on the Wednesday evening out
Transfers to/from ski resort should you wish to ski
Transfer from/to the train or bus station in Lienz or Huben on Saturdays
Not Included
Flights and transfers to Huben/Lienz
Lunches
Bar drinks outside of afternoon tea and evening meal at the house
Insurance
Ski pass (if applicable)
Downhill ski hire (If applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cater for special diets?
We do! Just let us know your allergies or dietary preferences in advance and we are happy to cater for you. All the food at the house predominately plant based. We also have plenty experience in catering for gluten-free-, lactose-free- and other dietary requirements. .
Do you have to be really fit?
No experience is needed, just the ability to hike for a few hours and a good pair of hiking boots. If you have a basic fitness level and no serious knee injuries you will be able to join us on all activities. We will suggest daily routes, depending on weather, preference and your sense of adventure. Just remember you are in the mountains, there are no flat walks, so uphill walking will happen! Our Yoga classes are tailored to suit individual abilities, we encourage and welcome any level to join us on the yoga mat.
Is it suitable for a single traveller?
Yes - our holidays are a great way to meet other people and make new friends. For some of our rooms we charge a single room supplement. We also have the option of shared triple and twin rooms.
Do I have to do all the activities?
No, everything is optional. If you like to go on a self-guided tour we are happy to provide you with maps and suggestions! We also have a great terrace to hang out on and a really comfy sofa.
Reviews
Nicolas
April 2023
Came to this retreat for the second time, now for the winter season. The location is spectacular, the staff friendly and helpful. The food was fantastic. Glad that I came again to this wonderful hide-away in the high alps.
Katazyrna
March 2023
It's located far away from a big city life, which offers you everything you need: relaxing but active morning yoga and daily sports (like snowshoe hiking, skiing or ski touring), friendly atmosphere, hot tube and fresh mountain’s air. If it’s not enough - the team will spoil you with rich, healthy plant-based food... Definitely a place to be.
Lisa
February 2023
I absolutely loved the pace, vibe, yoga, location and structure of the retreat. It was perfect having flown from the US and jumped right into the mountain activities. Sophie and Craigs classes were a perfect complement of morning stretching and strength training... and Craigs nightly inversion and upper body stretching. I wish I could have had another night or two added to my stay.
Cath
January 2023
The team exceeded every single one of my (high) expectations. I completely understand why so many people keep going back. Our week there is definitely on the list of all time favourite family holidays. It's a beautiful guesthouse in a stunning location filled with lovely people. It was a pleasure getting to know the team who instantly make you feel at home and that nothing is too much trouble.