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!
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.
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.
Day 1 – Thursday, December 9, 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, December 10, 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, December 11, 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, December 12, 2010
Morning:Afternoon:
1:00 Arrive in downtown Durango and lunch**Please note that scheduled itinerary is subject to change due to the ebb and flow of life!
You will be guided by Kendra Charts, Jacob Young and Silvia Mordini.
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.
Jacob is an avid cyclist, runner, and lover of all things outdoors, involving people. With over 10 years of guiding experience, beginning on Mt. Rainier, he has broadened his horizons by transitioning to guiding cycling trips around the world. He has been living in, and exploring the Olympic & Cascade mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest for the past 11 years, and can often be found cycling, trail running, hiking and skiing in the greater Seattle area when not practicing yoga indoors. Jacob is a Certified Carmichael Training Systems coach and is CPR/First Aid certified, but his real experience comes from his passion for showing people new places and exploring along with them.
Your Yoga will be taught by Silvia Mordini whose loving Anusara-inspired Vinyasa Flow teaching style is influenced by more than 10 years of Hatha yoga study. She studies primarily under Shiva Rea. With over 7,500 hours of yoga teaching experience, as a nationally recognized Experienced Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT) she owns and teaches at Total Body Yoga, a 3,900 square foot Chicagoland yoga center with over 200 monthly classes and countless weekly workshops as well as for a fifth year teaching a Nationally accredited 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. Silvia also enjoys working privately with athletes of all ages applying her knowledge of therapeutic yoga to aid healing old injuries or preventing new ones. Silvia’s dedication to her students makes her classes upbeat and fun, serious and informative, supportive and authentic.. When her students leave class, they have been inspired to be good to themselves and thereby kinder to others. Silvia finds healing in the beauty and stillness of Moab and considers nature and the relationship of human spirit her greatest teachers!!
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.
What if I have to change or cancel my trip?
We understand that life happens, so If you must cancel your trip more than 90 days prior to departure, there is no cancellation fee; between 61 – 90 days prior to departure there is a cancellation fee of 25% of the original trip price; between 31 – 60 days prior to departure there is a cancellation fee of 50% of the original trip price; Unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund if you have to cancel less than 30 days prior to departure.
If you choose to change your trip to a different date or location more than 90 days prior to departure, you may do so with no fee. From 61 – 90 days, there will be a $500 administrative fee. If you choose to change your trip within 60 days of the original trip start, the cancellation policy outlined above will apply. Please be aware that it is only possible to move to another trip within one year of the original trip departure date.
If I book a trip, can I be guaranteed that it will run?
We need a minimum of six people to run most of our trips (although some trips require a minimum of eight people). As long as we meet our minimum requirement, then our trips are guaranteed to run. If a trip must be canceled due to low enrollment, we will make every effort to do so at least 45 days prior to the trip start and a full refund will be issued. Trips will not be cancelled due to low enrollment within 30 days of the trip start.