Women’s Ski & Connect Retreat at the Talus Lodge 2026: Registration opening soon…

 

About the retreat

For the fourth year in a row, we are delighted to be offering a women’s retreat and backcountry ski trip combined. Women’s Ski & Connect seeks to inspire women to connect with themselves, each other, and nature. It is a chance to embark on an adventure with a group of women to grow your backcountry skiing experience in a safe and supported environment. It is also an act of self care: an opportunity to invest in your physical, mental, emotional & spiritual wellbeing.

Overview / Flow
Day time focuses on skiing/split boarding in the pristine high alpine of the East Kootenays. “Après” is dedicated to relaxation, wood-fire sauna, comforting food, and mingling. After dinner, group sessions focus on women’s health teachings and on stretching bodies, minds, and hearts together.

Who, Where and When
The skiing adventure is led by Olivia Sofer and Thomas Grandi (owner of Talus Lodge or another Talus Lodge guide). Both are ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) accredited.The evening sessions are led by women’s health therapists Anne-Marie Fafard & Janine Mak, owners of Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy.

The group of 12 to14 women stays at The Talus Lodge, accessed by helicopter in the winter. It is a rustic and comfortable place, ideal to slow down and connect (= no internet access).

Dates are Monday, February 2 to Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Fee
The total base fee for the Retreat is $1975 (GST included). Breakdown as follows:
$400 to Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy
$1575 to the Talus Lodge

The information below explains what is included and not, for Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy and the Talus Lodge.

The Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy Fees cover:
$100 Registration fee (Non-refundable). It covers the administrative cost to organise the trip, save your spot and pay for Olivia Sofer’s administrative fee.
$300 for the Retreat group sessions led by Anne-Marie Fafard & Janine Mak.

Not included:
Anne-Marie Fafard and Janine Mak are not offering individual physiotherapy, manual osteopathy therapy or clinical Pilates sessions during the retreat. The focus of the retreat is on the group experience.

The Talus Lodge Fees cover:
-$393.76 non-refundable registration fee.
-All meals
-Lodging
-Helicopter rides
-Taxes

For more details, Click here

Not included:
-Insurances: trip cancellation, evacuation, or private health insurance.
-Gratuities for the guides.
-Alcohol

For more details, Click here

Registration
To complete your registration, complete the steps below:
1- Complete your registration with Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy. First, email info@inspirecanmore.com to register and save your spot!

2- Fill out your online registration form with Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy. If you are new to Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy, a new file will be created for you in our booking system.

3- Pay $400, the retreat fees to Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy: $100 non-refundable registration fee + $300 retreat fee. We accept credit cards (visa & mastercards) or e-transfers.

4- Inspire Physiotherapy & Osteopathy will forward your name & email to The Talus lodge. Then the Talus lodge will email you to complete their guest agreement and payment for their $393.76 non-refundable registration fee.

5- We strongly recommend you research insurance coverages options available to you; i.e.trip cancellation, interruption, evacuation, or medical insurance from a reputable company. The Talus lodge provide a link to a free quote with Lifestyle Insurance: click here. This is to protect your investment. Some insurances can only be purchased at the time of booking your trip. This step is highly recommended, but not mandatory.

6- The Talus Lodge will process your $1,181.27 final payment on the first Monday of November 2025 (November 3).

Backcountry Day Trips for Women

1 day of skiing/ split boarding in the backcountry with a guide.
Requirements:
– Ability to ski blue or black runs at the hill, carry a backpack and be in the outdoor and physically active for the day.

AST 1 for Women 

AST 1: Avalanche Skill Training Level 1

This course will provide an entry-level decision-making framework that is:
1. Based on the most advanced knowledge available
2. Suitable for use by people with basic training and little experience
3. Will demonstrate and educate on the use of the Avaluator to provide a consistent and structured approach to trip planning, slope evaluation and decision making in avalanche terrain
4. Will demonstrate the use and educate on companion rescue
5. Students will leave with a certificate of completion

Prerequisites
The AST 1 is appropriate for anyone who is interested in or required to make decisions involving exposure to avalanches.  It is aimed at entry level decision makers who have no prior training and little to no experience.