Our First Winter Retreat in Pila Ski Resort, Aosta Valley…
A Gathering of Souls in the Snowy Mountains
It had been a dream of mine for a long time — to host retreats in nature, in the Aosta Valley that I call home for 11 years. To gather women in the sacred stillness of the mountains, to offer space for movement, reflection, and healing. So when the day finally arrived to welcome our first retreat group, my heart was racing with excitement, nerves, and deep gratitude.
As I prepared the welcome gifts, I tried to connect with each woman — who is she? What is she truly longing for? Stillness? Expansion? Perhaps both? What story is she ready to release? What kind of space will allow her to soften and feel safe? How might nature, movement, joy and silence become her medicine?
Then came the more practical thoughts: Where are they from? What are they hoping for? Have I prepared everything they need to feel at home, relaxed, cared for? Have I scheduled too much — or too little? My mind was racing, and I felt a little overwhelmed. But underneath it all was so much love.
Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. Virna, our incredible yoga teacher and dear friend, was right there with me — her calming energy grounding everything. And together we planned the rhythm of the days around a theme close to our hearts: Self-Love — that quiet, powerful foundation of healing and joy.
Yoga sala with beautiful view over the Italian and French Alps - La Chance Hotel, Pila Ski Resort, Aosta Valley
We wove self-love into every program: yoga sessions, meditations, sound baths, tapping (EFT), a cacao ceremony, Yoga Nidra… all designed to awaken the heart chakra — the center of compassion, forgiveness, empathy, kindness, and deep connection, both with ourselves and others.
When the day arrived, the dream became real. The names on paper became faces and voices and beautiful souls.
We arranged the airport transfer, and our kind ski instructor Ian drove to Milan Malpensa to collect the group. All flights arrived together — a lovely synchronicity — and during the two hours journey to Pila, friendships had already begun to blossom.
We had kept the group intentionally small — just eight women including Virna and me — so we could truly hold space for each of them. What made our group even more special was its diversity: not a single shared nationality! Two women had driven from Italy, originally from Portugal and Belgium. Others had roots in Ireland, Russia, Hong Kong and Greece — one incredible woman flew in from Saudi Arabia, making the retreat part of her Italian holiday. (She was heading to a wine festival in Verona afterward… we were a little jealous!)
After everyone had arrived and settled in, we opened with a welcoming yoga session following our opening circle. We introduced ourselves and we all set our intentions — what we hoped to carry home from this experience. Even for Virna and me, it was a time of learning. As we gave, we also received so much: emotion, wisdom, reflection, and love.
Special morning awakening yoga session in the spa area - Yoga Retreat in La Chance Hotel, Pila, Aosta Valley
Around the dinner table, we got to know one another more deeply. Some shared openly, others more quietly, and all were listened to with kindness and without judgment. Two of our guests even discovered a mutual friend; an unexpected connection that felt like a little sign that we were all exactly where we were meant to be.
Something about shared breath, shared silence, shared meals… it weaves a quiet connection. Though we had just met, it felt like we were meant to be together for those four sacred days.
The next morning began gently, with a 7:00 AM yoga session in the spa area of the hotel. It was cosy and warm, and as we moved through our practice, the morning light revealed the magnificent silhouette of Mont Blanc through the windows. What a way to begin the day.
After a delicious Italian breakfast (with the essential cappuccino and fresh brioche), the ladies were fitted with their ski gear, which had been arranged everything in advance: ski boots, skis, helmets, and passes, all ready at the hotel. A ski deposit near the chair lift meant we didn’t have to carry heavy gear from the hotel, and everything was taken care of, which helped everyone feel at ease.
Some of the group hadn’t skied in years — or ever — so there were nerves, of course. But with our experienced instructor guiding the beginners and Virna and I taking the rest up the mountain, everyone found their place. Yes, we had a few funny moments — forgotten ski passes, dropped poles, a little first-day chaos — but it was all part of the adventure. The sun was shining, the snow was perfect, and by midday we saw nothing but wide smiles and sparkling eyes. That feeling of “I can still do this” was priceless.
Pila Ski Resort is a perfect place for all levels of skiing — no one gets lost, and every slope seems to lead you to the gondola. The food is delicious and not overpriced, the people warm and helpful, and the whole resort feels quietly luxurious, just as a mountain village should.
Our beautiful ski and snowboarding group at Pila Ski Resort, Aosta Valley, Italy
Although we had planned outings to Aosta’s historic Roman sites and even walk to St. Grato chapel with a picnic, everyone loved skiing so much that we let those plans go. When they were tired, they’d return to the hotel to enjoy the sauna or book a relaxing, holistic massage with Virna in the spa.
Though we had planned other outings — like a visit to ancient Aosta or a picnic at a nearby chapel — the women were so captivated by skiing that we let the plans go. Sometimes the soul knows best. When tiredness crept in, they returned to the spa for saunas, hydro-massage, or deeply healing sessions with Virna.
Our evening practices brought us back inward — soft lights, calming music, and gentle movement to soothe the nervous system and let the energy of the day settle. There were meditations, sound baths, and long, silent savasanas. It was like coming home — not just to our bodies, but to ourselves.
By the second morning, everyone was feeling more confident. Gone were the nerves — only joy remained. The slopes called us again, and though we planned just to ski in the mornings, they often stayed out until later afternoon, pulled in by the sunshine, the laughter, and the childlike thrill of it all.
Evenings were filled with laughter and deep conversation — about life, love, work, motherhood, culture, dreams. We spoke about everything. Only one lady in our group had English as her mother tongue, we all spoke it as a second language at professional level… so conversations flowed with ease.
Our ages and backgrounds varied — from an amazing power woman in her 50s doing half-Ironman races, to busy young mum working in finance in London, psychologists dealing with disadvantaged children, economists etc. .. all accomplished in their own ways. Yet these were just roles. Beneath it all, we were simply women who chose themselves for a few days. Who came to refill their glasses, to be held by the mountains, and to remember who they are.
Last night we had a very special and intimate closing circle, with cocoa ceremony and Nidra Yoga in the spa area with candle light and open hearts.
Candlelit cacao ceremony - Ski & Yoga Retreat, La Chance Hotel, Pila Ski Resort, Italy
This retreat was more than a holiday. It was a gathering of souls. A return to joy. A reminder of what truly matters: connection, movement, nature, stillness, love and laughter.
On Sunday morning, we said our goodbyes — but in our hearts, we were already planning our reunion. Same time, same place… and maybe, with a few more beautiful souls joining us.
This first retreat in Pila reminded us of something ancient and sacred:
We are not meant to walk through life alone.
We are meant to gather — to breathe, laugh, move, rest, and be — together.
Thank you to every lady who joined us and shared her light. We are forever grateful.
And this, dear friends, is just the beginning…
With love, Anita
If you’d like to join us in the mountains, take a look at our “Our Retreats” page. Our 2026 dates will be released in August!
