Space to Breathe

Our executive retreats in the peaceful and inspiring French Alps create breathing space for busy minds. They enable you to step back, take stock and get clear on what really matters to you.

Alps Retreats founder Sally-Anne Airey shares more than 35 years’ experience as a leadership coach, mindfulness teacher and former Royal Navy Commander to help people develop clarity, resilience and presence. Her calm, pragmatic, accessible approach enables you to make the changes you want in your life and work.

In the beautifully serene surroundings of Alps Retreats, you take time out from the stressors of everyday life to pause, reflect and recalibrate. You gain clarity to meet the challenges you are facing. New ideas and creative solutions emerge. You leave relaxed and re-energised, with strategies and tools to apply in your everyday life.

Our Retreats

We offer scheduled retreats throughout the year and others custom-made to specific requirements. Clients include individuals seeking personal or professional development, corporate leaders and teams and purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Longer-term leadership development programmes are also available – see our companion site, skilfulleaders.com.

Our retreat centre is based in an 1830s renovated farmhouse in the French Alps. Our holistic approach nurtures you in mind, body and soul with the perfect balance of focused workshops, outdoor activity in stunning scenery, one-to-one coaching, mindful meditation and delicious food. You’ll also have time to relax and unwind in the luxury hot tub with its fabulous mountain views or enjoy a soothing massage.

Girl joyfully running down a slope through the snow, in sunshine, against the backdrop of high mountains

Group of hikers walking along a trail on the floor of a mountain valley in summer

Close up of a large hot tub on a sunny day, with clouds and mountains reflected in its very clear water

All-inclusive prices start at 950€ per person for a shared room and include airport transfers from Geneva, meals freshly prepared by our in-house chefs, workshop training materials and all activities as well as a preliminary Skype conversation, a 90-minute coaching session during the retreat and a follow-up call after a month.

2019-2020 Programme

Develop Resilience
Flexible Dates

A women-only retreat to explore resilience in a complex world.

Management Team
Flexible Dates

A retreat aligned to the individual needs of your team.

Time Out
Flexible Dates

A customised experience for individuals or couples.

Unplugged in the Alps Flexible Dates

How to be a mindful family in the digital age.

Mindful Skiing
16-19 January 2020

Experience flow in the snow and stunning alpine scenery.

Mindful Snowshoeing
Winter 2020

Experience the joy of the winter season.

Our Location

Our luxury retreat centre Maison La Cerisaie is nestled in Sixt Fer à Cheval, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France and surrounded by mountains and waterfalls in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

We are just three hours travelling time from most UK airports and 75 minutes drive from Geneva airport, where we meet you on arrival to ensure the start of your retreat is seamless and stress free.

Combining traditional Alpine charm with contemporary design, our spacious open-plan living area offers plenty of seating, a cosy woodburner and a large sociable dining area leading onto the garden terrace. The comfortable bedrooms all feature en-suite bathrooms with rain-effect showers and underfloor heating.

Maison La Cerisaie, Sixt Fer à Cheval - winter

The Chalet

The Living Area

The Location

Our Team

Sally-Anne Airey’s unique approach combines coaching with mindfulness practice. She draws on her deep listening skills to raise awareness, open up possibilities and create solutions.

Each retreat is led by Sally-Anne and one of her highly experienced co-facilitators, alongside a support team of professionals including an in-house chef, mountain guide and massage therapist.