Holistic Mountain Retreats in Morzine

Family-run AliKats Mountain Holidays, who have built a reputation over the past decade for its beautiful chalets, delicious cuisine, sustainable practices and luxurious atmosphere in the French mountain village of Morzine, has teamed up with Caitlin Cockerton, a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, to create a brand-new offering  – holistic mountain retreats.

Coming into force at a crucial time after Covid-19, these year-round four-night retreats combine yoga, meditation, walking, nature, scenery, food, spa treatments, music, and most importantly, companionship, to support people wanting to press pause on their everyday life, learn how to work with (and through) any problems they may have, plus create meaningful connections with others.

Both Al and Kat Judge, founders and co-owners of AliKats Mountain Holidays, and Caitlin, founder and coach of Great Heights Pathways, come from similar walks of life. All three had demanding jobs in big cities (whether it be Geneva, London, or Edinburgh) and all three reached a stage when they realised how unbalanced and stressful their lives were, and just how important movement in the great outdoors is to them. After meeting across the table at a dinner party, they soon realised how much they had in common, and a magical enterprise was born.

Al says: “When we met Caitlin it was a Tetris moment. She, and her company, fit perfectly with ours. It was the right partnership from the word go”.

The base for these new retreats is Ferme à Jules, AliKats’ spectacular chalet in Montriond, Morzine. Home to 10 en-suite bedrooms, a huge living space, magnificent views, a sauna, and a hot tub, it’s the perfect place to come together for a transformative break.

While Caitlin walks alongside the guests on their mental and physical journey – helping them address their baggage, explore personal challenges, and see more opportunities ahead – Al and Kat will nourish the group with all the food they need to take part in the activities and focus on the sessions.

Concentrating on wholesome, sustainable, locally sourced, and foraged produce, comprising mostly of vegetarian cuisine, Al and Kat want the food to sit at the heart of the holiday and stimulate mental experiences that mirror Caitlin’s practices. These are non-alcoholic retreats, but guests will be offered plenty of sophisticated alternatives: homemade sparkling Kombucha instead of Champagne, elegant mocktails instead of cocktails, and ginger shots instead of ginger beer. This will keep guests feeling well-nourished, clear headed, and inspired.

The four-night fully inclusive group retreats will take place in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring Awakening (11-15 May 2022), Summer Flourishing (23-27 June 2022), Autumn Harvest (12-16 October 2022) and Winter Wonderland (26-30 January 2023) cost from €2,000 / £1,672 pp and include full-board accommodation at Ferme à Jules; pre-and-post retreat one-on-one coaching sessions; group coaching work; daily yoga, meditation, or qi gong; guided walks with forest bathing; green van transfers; and a concierge booking service. Flights and other activities (such as raki, massages and spa treatments) extra.

Caitlin says: “My goal is to work with others through a chapter of change and allow people to experience wonder in that process. When you create a safe yet adventurous space here in the mountains, it gets people out of the tunnel vision and busy-stress mode so they can see themselves in broader landscapes with bigger possibilities.”