Lead Your Own Retreat - Alps Retreats

Why Our Retreat Centre?

Sublime Location

Set in a beautiful Alpine landscape, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls, and yet easily accessible. Great local amenities too.

Superb Facilities

A purpose-built indoor studio space. Comfortable living, eating and sleeping. A large garden, with terrace and luxury hot tub.

Built-in Support

An experienced local support team ready to work with you to make your retreat the best it can possibly be.

Expert Advice

If this is your first retreat or you just want someone to bounce ideas off, we are there to help, or to make ourselves scarce - it’s up to you.

The Retreat Centre

The Alps Retreats Centre is an authentic 1830s Alpine farmhouse in a magnificent setting. Beautifully renovated, it combines traditional Alpine character with contemporary design and comfort.

It nestles peacefully among stunning mountains and waterfalls, at the heart of a vast network of hiking trails.

The Rooms

With ample space for up to 11 adults, the four bedrooms all have super-comfortable beds and private bathrooms with calming rain-effect showers and underfloor heating.

In the open living areas there are plenty of sofas and armchairs and a superb woodburner.

And you can soak up the fabulous mountain views from the large outdoor hot tub.

The Location

Sixt Fer à Cheval is a beautiful French Alpine village 75 minutes from Geneva airport and train station.

Surrounded by the largest nature reserve in Haute-Savoie, it is a place of inspiring beauty, peace and calm.

You walk in the majestic mountain valley of the Cirque du Fer à Cheval. And you absorb the splendour of the Cascade du Rouget, the ‘Queen of the Waterfalls’.

About Us

British by birth, multilingual and international in outlook, we’ve travelled widely and lived and worked in some fascinating places, including Russia, Ukraine, USA, the Middle & Far East and several European countries.

Moving to the French Alps, renovating an old farmhouse and creating our retreat centre has enabled us to realise our dream of waking up every morning knowing that this is where we want to be.

We love sharing all this with people like you.

Optional Activities

Hiking

Water sports

Biking

Via Ferrata

Paragliding

Pony Trekking

Hiking, Trail Running

Alps Retreats Centre is at the heart of one of Haute Savoie’s most extensive trail networks – a paradise for hikers and trail runners. And it’s just a few metres from the GR5 long-distance hiking trail.

Water sports: Rafting, Canyoning

The scenic river Giffre running through Sixt is ideal for white water rafting - a really fun group activity in the safe hands of a qualified guide.

There are also numerous natural canyons for anyone seeking the adventure of jumping, sliding or abseiling into refreshing Alpine water.

Biking

The Giffre Valley has some of the best cycling terrain in the French Alps, with hundreds of kilometres of mountain biking trails and spectacular routes for road cyclists too.

All kinds of pedal power are available for hire: road bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes and e-bikes.

Via Ferrata

The Via Ferrata in Sixt is a safe space for all rock climbers, including beginners. From any of the assisted climbing routes, equipped with cables, ropes and ladders, you can gaze out over the beautiful Gorges des Tines.

Paragliding

Paragliding was invented in this valley. Flying in tandem with a professional pilot, extending your view far and wide over this magnificent valley, is an experience you will never forget.

Pony Trekking

Horse-riding through the stunning pastures and forests of the surrounding mountains is a lovely way for riders of all abilities to explore the area, guided by a local certified equestrian instructor.

Skiing

Snowshoeing

Husky Sledding

Ice-Climbing

Ice Skating

Skiing: Alpine, Nordic, Touring

This is the 4th largest linked ski area in France, with panoramic views of Mont Blanc on and off the pistes.

The large and varied terrain and diverse range of available tuition offer a lot of scope for enjoying your favourite skiing activity - or for trying a new one.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a wonderful winter activity accessible to almost everyone.

It enables you to get off the beaten track and explore the forests, snow-covered mountain pastures and stunning panoramas of the upper Giffre Valley.

Husky Sledding

45 minutes away at the husky sledding base camp in the beautiful Alpine forest setting of Les Molliets in Les Carroz, you can go dog sledding and even learn how to drive your own.

Ice-Climbing

Climbing a frozen waterfall in the Giffre Valley, renowned for its quality ice falls, is a great - and challenging - experience for anyone who enjoys rock climbing.

Local expert instructors can teach you the special techniques required.

Ice Skating

A competition-standard ice rink just 10 minutes away in Samoens is also open to the public, with boot hire. There’s a second smaller ice rink next to Lac Bleu in Morillon.

The suppliers team we offer

Retreat Guide

Support Coordinator

Chef

Mountain Guide

Yoga Teacher

Qi Gong Teacher

Massage Therapist

Sally-Anne Airey

8 years ago, Alps Retreats co-founder Sally-Anne Airey decided to make her beautiful Alpine home into a place where busy people have the time and space to reconnect with what really matters to them.

Herself an experienced coach, retreat leader and mindfulness teacher, Sally-Anne guides your retreat with the support of other deep specialists in their field.

Simon Airey

In moving to the mountains 10 years ago, Alps Retreats co-founder Simon Airey was at last fulfilling his childhood dream: to wake up every morning to an inspiring Alpine view and breathe in clean mountain air.

And after a full career in the Royal Navy, this was worth waiting for.

Jess de Jong

Jess de Jong is one of the most sought after retreat chefs in the valley. Her vegetarian creations come from a place of genuine love and her warmth and skill shine through every one of the meals she cooks for you.

Jess’s food is delicious, nourishing and a feast for the eyes.

Arno de Jong

For more than 10 years, International Mountain Leader Arno de Jong has been guiding Alpine experiences throughout the Giffre valley for individuals and groups seeking inspiring adventure.

You step out of your comfort zone and into a new perspective.

Julia Barnes

In her Vinyasa yoga classes and workshops, Julia Barnes skilfully combines the creative flow of movement and breath with a focus on alignment and mindfulness. You feel stronger, more supple and balanced.

Her approach encourages and nurtures self-exploration and discovery.

Ben Cox

Ben Cox has devoted his adult life to the practice and teaching of Taichi, Qigong and Chinese medicine, learning and working with several masters in the west and China.

He teaches you how being physically open, relaxed and dynamic is the key to being physically and mentally present.

Ella Plaisted

An Advanced Myofascial Release Therapist, Ella Plaisted tailors her treatments to your needs, with dedicated focus on the cause rather than the symptom.

She works with the body’s connective tissue to restore balance and improve your overall well-being.

Pricing & Availability

Our retreat centre is available for hire year-round, for a minimum of 3 nights. For our current availability, please enquire below or give us a call.

Our price is for exclusive use of the entire centre, including the chalet, the garden terrace with hot tub and the garden studio.

Short retreats

(min. 3 nights)

Week-long retreats

(min. 6 nights)

High season

(Feb, March, July, Aug)

650€

per night

ENQUIRE NOW

575€

per night

ENQUIRE NOW