The "Mind over Mountain - Mental Health & Self-Care Retreat for Professionals" is a 7-day retreat that combines skiing and snowboarding with mental health workshops, led by medical doctor Vanessa Bastek and psychologist Nanon Wollenhaupt. The retreat takes place in a super cozy ski-in, ski-out chalet in the tiny village Villard Reculas close to Alpe d'Huez, France.

In a small group of open-minded people you'll join a week with the perfect mix of adventure, self-care, personal development and new connections. In three interactive workshops you'll be reflecting on your stress levels, your overall wellbeing and you'll be provided with tools to implement during the workshops to improve these.

To give you a broad idea, here are some topics we cover during the workshops:

1. Understanding your nervous system: Autonomic stress regulation (best practices from various therapy schools), polyvagal basics, HRV, acute vs. chronic, hands-on regulation techniques.
2. Triggers & your personal stress map: Recognizing our own load patterns, cognitive tools, early warning signs.
3. Daily habits & routines: How everyday choices shape your microbiome, your sleep and your cortisol rhythm, and simple, evidence-based routines to support all three.
4. Positive psychology: Working with PERMA - by the end you hold a written, individual self-care & personal happiness roadmap in your hands.

And last but not least, Mind over Mountain makes sure to get your taste buds covered with their private chef who will provide you every day with a lovely brunch and a fresh 3-course high-end plant-based dinner menu.

For physicians: CME points with the Medical Council of the federal states are being applied for for the workshop programme (Category C).

What our 2026 guests said:

"The workshops are somewhere between meditation and therapy, you dive so deep you almost forget the others are in the room. That's probably the best sign that it works." — Jonas*, physician

"The workshops made me reflect on my own situation, the things you tend to push away. Stepping a little out of your comfort zone to feel more comfortable and happier in life: that's what stayed with me." — Victoria*, dentist

The best place to learn self-care is somewhere you're genuinely well cared for.

*Names haven been changed due to privacy.