Wander Women Catskills:
A Winter Wonderland Yoga Retreat
Windham NY
January 5-8, 2023
Kick off your year right by joining Alexandra Baackes of Alex in Wanderland and Jess Lubin of Good Karma Studio for a long weekend of cozy firepits, foraged winter cocktails, warming yoga classes, snow sports, meeting new friends, and more — all a chic lodge conveniently located between New York City and Albany.
We’ll gather together for a four day weekend celebrating all that is winter in Alex and Jess’s home state, New York! It’s winter with a Wander Women twist: take a snowshoe snowga class, ski and sunset tube down Windham Mountain (lessons available for beginners; all are welcome!), cheer to your 2023 intentions at a local winery, and more.
We couldn’t have picked a cozier spot. Escape to the Scandi-style Eastwind Lodge in the Catskills where we’ll share — boozy, if you wish! — hot chocolate happy hours overlooking Windham Mountain, dine on farm fresh meals, and bask in the warmth of our onsite saunas. Choose between winter glamping or cozy mountain retreat room options to customize your retreat.
A photographer will be behind the lens every step of the way, ensuring everyone leaves with profile-picture worthy shots of themselves on the slopes, in asanas, and enjoying their snowy wonderlands.
The Catskills stretch between New York City and Albany and are famous for their 98 peaks creating a plethora of hiking trails, ski resorts, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and scenic views to soak up. It’s become a hip escape for those from the five boroughs — bringing with them boutique accommodation, trendy restaurants, and locally inspired boutiques. Windham itself is one of the oldest towns in the region, complete with a historic Main Street and a moniker as the “Gem of the Catskills.”
Please note that this retreat is open to all levels of skiiers, snowboarders, yogis, and beyond, from fresh beginner to long-time enthusiast. We will spend one morning at Windham Mountain, where lessons are available for beginners and seasoned skiiers will be thrilled with an array of black diamond trails — and everything in between. Absolutely not interested in hitting the slopes? No worries! There’s an onsite spa, too.
The Details
The retreat will be held from January 5-8, 2023. The cost, including all of the premium experiences below, starts at $2,050 per person for four days.
What’s Included
• Three nights of cozy winter accommodation
• Two breakfasts and two dinners
• Daily yoga
• Skiing at Windham Mountain (we’ll credit your final balance for the value of a lift ticket if you’re a season pass holder, or would rather visit the spa!)
• A foraged winter cocktail class
• Sunset snow tubing
• A snowshoe snowga experience
• A premium local wine tasting at The Vineyard at Windham
• A custom welcome bag
• All gratuities (we generously tip on your behalf, removing the stress and anxiety of when and how much to tip!)
• Professional photos of the trip
• Donation to Stride Adaptive Sports, an Upstate charity sharing winter sports with those with physical limitations
What’s Not Included
• Alcohol and meals not included in the itinerary
• Ski lessons (available as optional upgrade) or ski equipment rental (available onsite at Windham Mountain)
• Spa treatments
• Other activities or meals not outlined in the itinerary
• Local transportation (we will help coordinate groups of women who have cars, or are renting, or want to share Ubers or Lyfts)
• Mandatory travel insurance
The Itinerary
Due to weather and other factors, the below is subject to change — but we guarantee you will have a beautiful winter-themed weekend regardless.
Day 1: Say hello to the Catskills! Join us in Windham in the late afternoon for an intention-setting New Year yoga class saluting the setting sun. After, we’ll enjoy a foraged winter cocktail workshop with a female local mixologist (pine-infused spirits, anyone?) before a private onsite welcome feast.
Day 2: We’ll start the day together with an — always optional — sunrise meditation before a seasonal breakfast. Afterwards, we’ll head Windham Mountain for a morning of skiing, snowboarding, or heading to the spa. Typically all of the resort’s 54 trails open by mid-December! We’ll group everyone by experience level and head off to the slops for lessons or free ski or board time before meeting up for lunch at the Lodge and a warm up slow flow at the onsite Alpine Spa. Toast to your morning of adventure at a private wine tasting at The Vineyard at Windham, nibbling on local cheese and charcuterie and opting between four flights of five local wines each, followed by a return to EastWind for a firepit cocktail hour under the full moon (the first of 2023!). We’ll close out the night with an optional dinner at Union + Post, mere steps away from our door.
Day 3: This morning we’ll rise for an optional morning meditation and enjoy breakfast at a cute local bakery before heading out for the ultimate Wander Women winter adventure — snowshoe snowga! We’ll set off on a snowshoe trail adventure in the woods, making our way to open spots for yoga poses and meditation among the shimmering icicles and snow-covered trees. In the afternoon, we’ll warm up back at EastWind with the onsite saunas and our own custom hot chocolate bar — boozy if you wish! We’ll head back out again in the early evening for sunset snow tubing before heading back for a dinner toasting to the weekend at EastWind, complete with live music and cocktails.
Day 4: We’ll gather for a final flow in the morning before an optional outdoor snow yoga or aerial photoshoot — Jess is bringing her outdoor rig for our aerial enthusiasts! Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a farewell breakfast and exchange photos and farewell hugs. Need some suggestions for more winter fun? Stroll along the Windham Path for awe-inspiring views of the spectacular peaks, or shop on Main Street at local spots like Briars & Brambles Books, where there’s a spotlight on Catskill-based authors, and The Knitting Room, where you can pick up supplies for a new hobby. Want to put another pin in your Upstate map? Stop at Hunter en route home for another ski day, a twirl on a Glice Skating rink, or a winter hike up Kaaterskill Falls.
Where We’ll Stay and Where We’ll Eat
We’ll be enjoying a weekend escape at a hip Scandinavian-inspired retreat, right in the heart of Windham. The property has two onsite freestanding wooden saunas, firepits aplenty, complementary snow-shoes, and a bustling weekend bar lounge and dinner service.
The room options include private or shared accommodation, as well as the option for cabin-based glamping or cozy bunkhouse rooms. The cabins are Scandinavian inspired Lushna cabins that allow you to immerse in nature without sacrificing any comforts. Private cabins are heated A-Frames with a queen sized bed and with a private but separate bathhouse steps away. Shared cabins feature a private deck, an en suite bathroom, a queen size loft bed, and a lounge space with a pull out sofa.
Those opting for private or shared bunkhouse rooms will be in one of the property’s two main buildings. The remaining shared bunkhouse rooms feature a king size bed and a pull out sofa; while private rooms feature one king and all have en suite bathrooms.
Due to the high accommodation costs associated with this retreat, shared rooms can only be booked in full, for two guests. If you’re traveling solo, contact us to see if anyone else has reached out about a shared spot.
For included meals, we’ll be dining on incredible farm to table meals created by our hotel hosts — as always, any dietary restrictions or allergies will be accommodated. One dinner will be private to our group, while another will be a festive weekly gathering open to all. For other non-included meals, we’ll suggest and stop at local Windham favorites, from small-town breakfast cafes to hip dinner options.
Getting There and Away
Windham is under an hour drive from Albany, and under three hours from New York City.
If you’re coming from further afield, we’d recommend flying into one of the NYC area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark), and either renting a car, taking a convenient Trailways bus direct to Windham, or taking Metro North or Amtrak for a beautiful train ride along the Hudson River. The closest train station is Hudson, where you can hop in a taxi or ride share for a 40 minute drive to Windham, or make a rental car reservation through Enterprise and they’ll meet you at the station.
For transport within Windham, the distances we will be traveling are under ten minute drives. We will be using Ubers, Lyfts, or carpooling with other guests looking to share car rentals for the weekend. Please contact us if you need additional support booking travel.
Travel With Us
On this trip, you’ll be traveling with Alex Baackes and Jessica Lubin as your hosts and yoga teachers.
Alexandra Baackes is the founder of Wander Women Retreats and Alex in Wanderland and can’t wait to start her year with you! She grew up in Upstate New York and cherishes exploring and introducing others to the area. She is a RYT 200 Registered Yoga Teacher, an aerial vinyasa and yin instructor, a Buti Bands and Sculpt instructor, and a regular yoga practitioner for over a decade.
Jess Lubin returned to her hometown of Albany after her life path took her around the globe, living and studying yoga in Guatemala and India. She opened Good Karma Studio, the first and only aerial yoga studio in Albany, New York in 2011. Jessica has since studied & trained under Tribe Yoga, Gravotonics, Rolf Gates, Janet Stone, Shiva Rea, Yoga Works NYC, Kula Yoga’s Schuyler Grant, and Sadie Nardini. She’s developed a cult following in Upstate New York and loves taking her students on Wander Women Retreats around the world, including to St. Pete, Florida, The Dominican Republic, Egypt, Thailand, and now her own backyard!
Join Us
This retreat has limited availability and specific accommodation styles, so we recommend booking soon to avoid missing out on your first choice! A 50% deposit is required to hold your spot, and payment plans are available upon request. Can’t make it? Don’t stress! Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when enrollment opens on future retreats.
Remember, don’t hesitate to email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com with any and all questions or concerns over whether this Catskills experience is right for you. We’d love to chat.
Wander Women Catskills // January 5-8
$2,450.00 – $4,500.00
F.A.Q.
But I hate winter! Why does it exist?
Us too! Just kidding.
Jess and Alex are reformed Winter Haters™. After a lifetime of loathing all things cold and snowy, we discovered that the best way to survive winters is to embrace them! Now, we know that creating magical memories like these are the best way to keep warm throughout this season of reflection. We can’t wait to share them with you!
Traveling solo but want to book a shared cabin or bunkhouse?
Contact us to see if anyone else has reached out about a shared spot on this trip. Due to high costs on the remaining available accommodations – shared bookings can only be guaranteed to those traveling in a pair.
What is the refund policy?
Remaining invoices are due 30 days before departure. The 50% deposit to secure your space is non-refundable. If the trip must be postponed or cancelled due to events beyond our control (for example, a global pandemic resurgence!), you will be offered the choice between a full refund and applying your payment to a future trip.
Do I need to like or be good at yoga?
Absolutely not. (And frankly, we don’t believe in the idea of being “good” at yoga!) We have a range of yogis from brand-new beginners to talented instructors join us on our trips. You’ll get the opportunity to sample a wide range of yoga styles, and you can opt in or out of as many classes as you wish. Some guests attend none at all!
Do I need to like skiing or snowboarding?
Again, nah. We’re spending one morning on the mountain to quench our desire for an annual downhill moment, but aside from that we’re hopping around with a sampler of winter activities so you can hopefully find some that resonate with you!
If you’re new to the slopes or have never tried skiing or snowboarding, this is your moment! Take a lesson and try it out. If you’re confident that ain’t never gonna be for you, hit the Alpine Spa or Windham Spa that morning for a hot stone massage instead.
Will I have time to do my own thing?
This is your retreat and we want you to make it exactly what you want! Any time you want to bow out to have some “me-time” or do your own thing, you do you girl.
Can I do a payment plan and pay in installments?
Absolutely. Email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com.
Will I need travel insurance?
Yes, everyone will be required to have personal travel insurance for the duration of the trip, or show proof of health insurance that will cover them in New York State. Our affiliate, World Nomads offers coverage at affordable rates.
Is there an age requirement?
You must be 21 years old or older.
Is there a waiting list?
There will be a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis in case spaces open up. If the retreat is full and you’re still interested, email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com to be added to the waiting list.
I still have questions, or want to support your campaign to end daylight saving time forever. Can I contact you?
You may! Our email is retreats@alexinwanderland.com.