In the Thick of Things

Annual Winter Gathering

March 13–16

Aski Holistic Adventures — Saskatchewan River Delta

$997 + GST | Max 12 participants

Overview

Join Michelle Brass and Darci Anderson, in collaboration with Michela Carrière of Aski Holistic Adventures, for a 4-day immersive winter wellness retreat on the land.

This gathering invites participants to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect — with themselves, each other, and the natural world — during the most introspective season of the year. Rooted in winter teachings, land-based practices, and community care, this retreat offers space for rest, reflection, and renewal.

Winter teaches resilience, patience, and presence. Wrapped in snow and silence, we create a supportive container for grounding, meaningful connection, and deep listening — both inwardly and outwardly.

Core Themes

Resting in Nature

Exploring winter as a teacher of balance, strength, and restorative rest beyond human expectations.

Listening Deeply

Learning from silence, stillness, and subtle cues on the land.

Mental Health & Nervous System Care

Practices for grounding, emotional regulation, and seasonal well-being.

Community & Connection

Gathering together for warmth, shared experience, conversation, and ceremony.

Winter Activities & Experiences

• Winter Tea & Fire Ceremony

  Herbal teas, shared warmth, and intentional circle time around the fire.

• Snowshoeing & Winter Walking

  Gentle movement through frozen riverbanks and forest trails.

• Sauna + Snow Contrast

  Sauna followed by optional snow immersion or cold-air grounding (guided, consent-based).

• Tipi & Fire Teachings

  Gathering in a tipi as a winter lodge and ceremonial space.

• Night Sky & Stillness Practices

  Stargazing, moon observation, and quiet reflection under long winter skies.

• Silent Reflection & Mindfulness

  A guided period of silence, meditation, breathwork, and cold-weather presence.

• Stargazing & Constellation Teachings

  Learning star patterns, constellations, and cosmic connections on clear nights.

Additional Retreat Elements

• Deep Discussions & Sharing Circles

  Meaningful dialogue indoors by the fire.

• Plant & Medicine Teachings

  Focus on winter medicines such as barks, roots, resins, teas, and stored plants.

• Food Harvesting Teachings

  Ice beaver trapping demonstration (conditions permitting).

• Movement & Land-Based Learning (facilitated by Darci)

  Grounding, warming, embodied practices.

• Cooking & Sharing Meals Together

  Nourishing, hearty winter meals prepared and enjoyed in community.

• Tarot-Based Reflection Sessions (offered by Michela)

  One-on-one or small-group tarot reflections as a tool for insight, intention-setting, and self-inquiry.

• Guided Writing Exercises

  Structured journaling and creative prompts inspired by land, silence, and symbolism.

• Candlelight Circles

  Optional sharing of reflections, writing, or insights gathered during the retreat.

Food & Nourishment

Meals will focus on warming, hearty, mostly vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, including:

• Hearty stews (barley vegetable stew, lentil curry, wild rice dishes)

• Soups (cream of leek & potato, bone broth-based soups)

• Bannock & gluten-free baking

• Warm breakfasts (oats, eggs, hash browns, cereals)

• Herbal teas & coffee

Accommodations

• Cozy off-grid cabins

• Wood heat

• Sauna access

• Bedding provided

• Shared indoor gathering spaces for warmth, rest, and connection

Transportation & Access

• Winter walk-in access along a trail

• Extra gear transported by snowmobile

• Participants should pack for an active winter walk-in (light but layered), plus extra warm clothing for outdoor time at camp

Pricing

$997 + GST per person

(Same rate as last year)

What’s Included

• 3 nights off-grid accommodations

• All meals & snacks

• Winter transportation to and from the lodge

• Daily programming & facilitation

• Land-based education & ceremonies

• Sauna ceremony

• Small-group immersive experience (maximum 12 participants)

Proposed Schedule (Flexible)

Day 1: Arrival, orientation, grounding, opening circle

Day 2: Silence day, winter walking, sauna, evening circle

Day 3: Teachings, movement, deep discussions, ceremony

Day 4: Closing circle & departure

Come for the Adventure, Leave changed.