YOUR RESERVATION REQUEST HAS BEEN RECEIVED

Once your booking has been confirmed, you will receive a welcome email.

Important Note: In your welcome email is unique link to an information form. Please fill this out at your earliest convenience.

We look forward to experiencing a transformative vacation with you in the lush forests of British Columbia.

Please find below the information you need to prepare for the retreat.

HOW TO GET TO THE LODGE

There are many ways to get to the lodge. Often, guests consider coming a couple days before or after their retreat to explore our beautiful town of Nelson, and/or the other wonderful natural places in British Columbia that are just a drive away, such as; Fernie, Golden, and Banff National Park—one of the most stunning landscapes on earth!

Getting to us isn’t always easy, so we offer a free shuttle from the two airports closest to us to help out; Spokane, WA (GEG), and Castlegar, BC (YCG). This option is great if you’re limited on time and are just coming in for the retreat. Please note that our shuttles operate at specific times only and if your flights are missed, cancelled, or delayed, arrival to the lodge is ultimately your responsibility (we will do our best to help, however!).

You may also drive to the lodge, if you wish. This is a great option if you want to explore our surrounding area some more!

FLYING INTO SPOKANE, WASHINGTON (GEG)

The Spokane shuttle departs the airport at 1:00p sharp on the Saturday of your start date. We recommend flights that arrive before 12:00p, as the shuttle is unable to wait for delayed flights.

The shuttle returns to the airport the following Saturday by 12:00p, so flights departing after 1:00p work well.

Upon arrival, please meet the shuttle in the 1-hour parking lot across from Concourse B & C no later than 12:45p. You will see our driver holding a Mountain Trek sign.

View Map

The Spokane airport shuttle is approximately 4-5 hours with the border crossing.

FLYING INTO CASTLEGAR, BRITISH COLUMBIA (YCG)

Our Castlegar (YCG) shuttle services all flights arriving and departing on Saturdays between 10:00a and 3:00p. Castlegar is only 75 minutes from our lodge, but is a small regional airport that is more prone to delays and cancellations.

If arriving into Castlegar, please note you will first be transported into the lovely town of Nelson, where you can walk around the shops and restaurants (view our Guide To A Saturday In Nelson), and then at 4:00p (once we have fully cleaned and sanitized every room) you will re-board the shuttle and drive out to the lodge.

DRIVING TO THE LODGE

The lodge address is below:

3800 North Street
Ainsworth Hot Springs, BC
V0G 1A0 Canada

Please note: check-in is between 5:00-6:00pm

Two female retreat guests doing yoga in a glassfront studio overlooking lake and mountains

WHAT TO PACK

Bring layers, leave fancy attire at home—this is your time to recharge in comfortable clothing. Complimentary daily laundry service is provided so you can pack light (you shouldn’t need to pack more than a carry-on) and in your room you will find; organic shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion, a hairdryer, and a spa robe. We also provide your backpack and hiking poles for the week.

As we continue our effort to reduce material waste, please bring your own 3L water bladder and 24-32 oz / 750mL – 1L insulated water bottle from home.

If you don’t have either, you can purchase our favorites when at the lodge and then bring these essential hiking items home.

HOW TO LAYER

BASE LAYER

This is your sweat-wicking first layer that has direct contact with your skin. Good fabrics include polypro, merino wool and silk. Cotton is discouraged—it will keep you damp.

MIDDLE LAYER

Your insulating layer that traps body heat. Polar Fleece and wool are preferable.

OUTER LAYER

Your shield from wind and rain. Gore-Tex, or something similar, is best—it’s waterproof yet breathable.

KOKANEE HIKING-0573_2000px

SPRING/FALL (COLDER WEATHER) PACKING LIST

  • Passport
  • Prescribed medications
  • NEW!—20-30oz insulated water bottle—NEW!
  • NEW!—3L water bladder—NEW!
  • Trail runners / hiking boots
  • 2 pairs med-weight wicking hiking socks (wool preferred)
  • Slippers
  • Sandals
  • Indoor fitness shoes/runners
  • 2 pairs fitness socks
  • Bathing suit (preferably 2)
  • Activewear for the gym and yoga
  • Loungewear
  • 2 quick-drying hiking pants
  • 2 short-sleeve base layers
  • 1 long-sleeve base layer
  • 1 warm fleece or wool mid-layer
  • Rain jacket
  • Rain pants
  • Warm vest (optional)
  • Warm hat or ear band
  • Sun hat
  • Rain hat (if rain jacket doesn’t have a hood)
  • Medium-weight, water-resistant gloves
  • Non-cotton underwear
  • Pajamas
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Book
  • Extra pair of prescription eyeglasses

Note: We provide backpack and hiking poles. In an effort to reduce material waste, please bring your own 3L water bladder and 20-30 oz insulated water bottle (both available at lodge).

SUMMER (WARMER WEATHER) PACKING LIST

  • Passport
  • Prescribed medications
  • NEW!—20-30oz insulated water bottle—NEW!
  • NEW!—3L water bladder—NEW!
  • Trail runners / hiking boots
  • 2 pairs lightweight wicking hiking socks (wool preferred)
  • Sandals
  • Indoor fitness shoes/runners
  • 2 pairs fitness socks
  • Bathing suit (preferably 2)
  • Activewear for the gym and yoga
  • Loungewear
  • 1 pair quick drying lightweight hiking pants
  • 1- 2 pairs of lightweight hiking shorts
  • 2-3 hiking base layer tank tops or t-shirts
  • 1 lightweight long sleeved base layer shirt (for sun and/or bug protection)
  • 1 warm long sleeve over layer
  • Rain jacket (breathable)
  • Sun hat
  • Non cotton underwear
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Book
  • Journal
  • Sleeping eye mask
  • Pajamas
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray

Note: We provide backpack and hiking poles. In an effort to reduce material waste, please bring your own 3L water bladder and 20-30 oz insulated water bottle (both available at lodge).

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME

  • Tobacco
  • Candy
  • Coffee
  • Alcohol
  • Perfume
  • Strongly-scented deodorants, lotions and aftershave

HOW TO PREPARE

Our nutritionist and kinesiologist recommend adopting the following guidelines leading up to your retreat, ideally beginning one month prior:

  • Eat fibrous breakfasts
  • Consume smaller, low-carb dinners (breakfast and lunch should make up 2/3 of your daily calories)
  • Eat at least 2 fruits and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day
  • Taper off caffeine
  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
  • Eat fewer refined carbohydrates, such as white breads and pasta
  • Take 1 multivitamin daily
  • Reduce sodium (salt) intake
  • Increase your cardio activity
  • Aim to hit at least 10,000 steps daily
  • Increase leg strength when possible, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator
Mountain Trek Health Retreat guests exercising during a functional fitness class

WHY NO CAFFEINE

For the week or two you are at Mountain Trek, you will not have sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. While the sugar and alcohol might be obvious, cutting caffeine might be perplexing. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands to produce the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine. Higher and prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream have been shown to have a negative effect on raising the metabolism, altering blood sugars and blood pressure and decreasing muscle tissue and bone density. It has also been shown to increase the deposit of belly fat for a significant percentage of the population. We offer substitutes at the retreat that will satiate your coffee needs.

TRAVEL & MEDICAL INSURANCE

It is required that all guests have medical insurance. If coming from outside Canada, please ensure your current health insurance covers travel or purchase travel-specific medical coverage.

It is highly recommended that guests purchase trip cancellation insurance. The Mountain Trek program is non-refundable and last-minute emergencies or medical issues do sometimes arise. Please visit your local travel agent to do so, or purchase insurance online.

For questions please email guestcare@mountaintrek.com or call 1.800.661.5161


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