In the arctic Brooks Range, winter holds a wild kind of magic. Blankets of snow stretch across valleys and ridges, the air is crisp, and every trail is an invitation to move — not hurriedly, but with intention.
At Arctic Hive, we created our signature SKIWild Nordic Ski + Yoga Retreat for those who want to experience the Arctic under their own power: cross-country skis beneath your feet, the silence of the wilderness around you, and a rhythm that reconnects you with yourself. (And perhaps the occasional sled dog on the trail with us for good company!)
Mornings begin in the warmth of the yoga dome. Sunlight filters through the massive bay window, illuminating the snowy peaks of the Brooks Range as you breathe and move through a practice designed to ground you in body and spirit. No experience with yoga is ever necessary — you'll find what all of our guests discover: Even the simplest movements can open the door to clarity, peace, and a renewed sense of self.
After a nourishing breakfast, boots are donned, we layer up, and set out into the wild. Most days take us out on the Koyukuk River, seeing views only accessible in the winter. We'll determine our distance based on the group, the weather, and the mood. Rest assured there's enough trail, time and scenery to last a lifetime.
Out here, the land becomes your teacher — showing you balance, presence and the joy of forward motion.
Evenings return you to warmth: a hot meal, laughter shared in the Igloo, and time to watch the northern lights dance across the night sky.
At Arctic Hive, we created our signature SKIWild Nordic Ski + Yoga Retreat for those who want to experience the Arctic under their own power: cross-country skis beneath your feet, the silence of the wilderness around you, and a rhythm that reconnects you with yourself. (And perhaps the occasional sled dog on the trail with us for good company!)
Mornings begin in the warmth of the yoga dome. Sunlight filters through the massive bay window, illuminating the snowy peaks of the Brooks Range as you breathe and move through a practice designed to ground you in body and spirit. No experience with yoga is ever necessary — you'll find what all of our guests discover: Even the simplest movements can open the door to clarity, peace, and a renewed sense of self.
After a nourishing breakfast, boots are donned, we layer up, and set out into the wild. Most days take us out on the Koyukuk River, seeing views only accessible in the winter. We'll determine our distance based on the group, the weather, and the mood. Rest assured there's enough trail, time and scenery to last a lifetime.
Out here, the land becomes your teacher — showing you balance, presence and the joy of forward motion.
Evenings return you to warmth: a hot meal, laughter shared in the Igloo, and time to watch the northern lights dance across the night sky.
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During our 5 days and 4 nights together, SKIWild blends:
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SKIWild isn’t about racing or performance. It’s about finding your flow on snow, moving in rhythm with nature, and rediscovering yourself in one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the world.
This winter, come glide across the Arctic and let the wilderness remind you:
You already belong here.
On the Agenda
DAY 1:
The charter van arrives to your airport hotel at 8am sharp! It's then you get to meet the other retreat-goers, who you'll be spending the next 5 days with. Many of our guests come on these trips solo, so rest assured you'll be in good company if that's the case.
The van drivers are trained guides with extensive experience driving the Dalton Highway (famed from the show "Ice Road Truckers"), and possessing a wealth of knowledge and facts to tell you along the way. After a quick stop at a Fairbanks supermarket where you can pick up any extra snacks or drinks you want for your trip, you'll buckle up for the approximately 7 hour drive to Arctic Hive. We provide all meals, fresh water and snacks you could ever need once you arrive — but you may want to grab beer/wine for evenings at the Hive, whatever you wish to eat for lunch on the first day, and other snacks for the drive.
And let's talk about the drive...
This isn't like any drive across Iowa or Nebraska... this is a right of passage into the majestic Brooks Mountain Range... and although it's a long one, it's a journey you'll never forget. The rolling hills take you out of Fairbanks on the Elliot Highway, and eventually onto the Dalton Highway, which takes you due north. You'll see the enchanted forest, cross the mighty Yukon River, cross the Arctic Circle — of course have your photo taken! — and see the most gorgeous, dynamic landscapes featuring arctic tundra, Black Spruce forests, and (possible!) wildlife... until the massive Brooks Range comes into view.
The experience driving the "Haul Road," as it's affectionately called, is one few people have ever experienced and is sure to delight and thrill, and you might be lucky enough to see wildlife along the way!
Your van will weave through our tiny village of Wiseman (population: 11), and at the edge of town, you'll be greeted by your friendly hosts... us! Mollie and Sean Busby. We'll load all luggage onto our sled for Sean to snowmachine up to Arctic Hive, and Mollie will lead the group on foot that direction. It's about a mile hike from where you're dropped off to Arctic Hive — mostly flat, with one uphill at the end.
The charter van arrives to your airport hotel at 8am sharp! It's then you get to meet the other retreat-goers, who you'll be spending the next 5 days with. Many of our guests come on these trips solo, so rest assured you'll be in good company if that's the case.
The van drivers are trained guides with extensive experience driving the Dalton Highway (famed from the show "Ice Road Truckers"), and possessing a wealth of knowledge and facts to tell you along the way. After a quick stop at a Fairbanks supermarket where you can pick up any extra snacks or drinks you want for your trip, you'll buckle up for the approximately 7 hour drive to Arctic Hive. We provide all meals, fresh water and snacks you could ever need once you arrive — but you may want to grab beer/wine for evenings at the Hive, whatever you wish to eat for lunch on the first day, and other snacks for the drive.
And let's talk about the drive...
This isn't like any drive across Iowa or Nebraska... this is a right of passage into the majestic Brooks Mountain Range... and although it's a long one, it's a journey you'll never forget. The rolling hills take you out of Fairbanks on the Elliot Highway, and eventually onto the Dalton Highway, which takes you due north. You'll see the enchanted forest, cross the mighty Yukon River, cross the Arctic Circle — of course have your photo taken! — and see the most gorgeous, dynamic landscapes featuring arctic tundra, Black Spruce forests, and (possible!) wildlife... until the massive Brooks Range comes into view.
The experience driving the "Haul Road," as it's affectionately called, is one few people have ever experienced and is sure to delight and thrill, and you might be lucky enough to see wildlife along the way!
Your van will weave through our tiny village of Wiseman (population: 11), and at the edge of town, you'll be greeted by your friendly hosts... us! Mollie and Sean Busby. We'll load all luggage onto our sled for Sean to snowmachine up to Arctic Hive, and Mollie will lead the group on foot that direction. It's about a mile hike from where you're dropped off to Arctic Hive — mostly flat, with one uphill at the end.
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Days 2-4:
The days that follow will include cross-country skiing through the wilderness surrounding the historic village of Wiseman — gliding across valleys, weaving through spruce forests, and taking in views that stretch endlessly in every direction. In most places, there’s no cell service, so the pull of home, work, and daily obligations simply falls away.
Yoga, meditation, and other practices in the Yoga Dome are balanced with skiing adventures that immerse you in the quiet wild. Pending weather, you’ll also have the chance to go dog mushing through the snow-covered landscape, and take a private tour of the village with Alaskans who live the subsistence lifestyle in Wiseman. Together, we’ll channel our creative energy into making handmade Arctic malas — and learn how to use them as tools for practice.
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We will dine together twice a day in the igloo (plus coffee and snacks before yoga), and we will typically pack up lunch to go with us, wherever we're headed for the day.
The options are endless — and waiting for you. Each retreat is co-created with those who attend, and we would be honored to add your energy to the mix on a future retreat.
The options are endless — and waiting for you. Each retreat is co-created with those who attend, and we would be honored to add your energy to the mix on a future retreat.
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SKIWild is a reflection of how we (Sean and Mollie) live our life in wild places — the perfect combination of skiing, relaxation, and good company. A chance to re-ground yourself with the things that matter, and let go of what's not serving you in your life.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll fuel up with nourishing (mostly) vegetarian cuisine, custom crafted by Mollie to give your body the most balanced fuel so you can think, see and move clearly for the weekend. Dietary needs can be accommodated, too. There will always be tea, coffee and snacks available. (Guests in the past raved about the food every day, so if you've never eaten vegetarian before, rest assured you will be well provided for!)
Day 5:
You'll pack up and depart Arctic Hive mid-morning, and make the same trek back to Fairbanks!
The Details
Accommodations:
Here at Arctic Hive, we have four cabins to keep you cozy warm during your stay with us — there are mountain views in every direction, and plenty of windows to see the wild landscape and the northern lights! Each cabin will be home to two retreat attendees in their own twin or double beds (depending on the cabin).
All cabins are off-grid, heated with Swedish Nordic oil stoves that keep the space warm and cozy, with solar/battery powered lighting with inverter batteries for charging small devices. There is very little cell reception from the cabins, and no wifi. We do have access to service for emergencies, and for those who may need to check in with home once and a while.
Here at Arctic Hive, we have four cabins to keep you cozy warm during your stay with us — there are mountain views in every direction, and plenty of windows to see the wild landscape and the northern lights! Each cabin will be home to two retreat attendees in their own twin or double beds (depending on the cabin).
All cabins are off-grid, heated with Swedish Nordic oil stoves that keep the space warm and cozy, with solar/battery powered lighting with inverter batteries for charging small devices. There is very little cell reception from the cabins, and no wifi. We do have access to service for emergencies, and for those who may need to check in with home once and a while.
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You'll have the opportunity to charge small devices via generator or solar power (such as your phone if you use it as a camera). It wouldn't be wise to bring larger electronics like computers, as they draw so much power from the small battery banks.
The cabins are located just a short walk up the hill from the Igloo. There is one composting outhouse that's cleaned and attended to daily — along with a few designated "facility trees" in the woods. If you're inexperienced with either of these methods, our team will assure you're up to speed upon arrival!
The cabins are located just a short walk up the hill from the Igloo. There is one composting outhouse that's cleaned and attended to daily — along with a few designated "facility trees" in the woods. If you're inexperienced with either of these methods, our team will assure you're up to speed upon arrival!
Dates:
Flights:
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- DATES TBD
Flights:
- We will be leaving for the arctic from Fairbanks no earlier than 8am on the first day of the retreat. We will arrive back in the early evening (6pm-ish) of the final day of the retreat, depending on weather.
- To be absolutely sure you're on time, we recommend arriving into Fairbanks Airport (FAI) the day before the retreat, and flying out on a red eye flight in the early morning after we arrive back to Fairbanks — most people leaving FAI take red-eye flights back to the lower 48.
- If you do arrive the night before the retreat, you will be responsible for booking lodging for that night.
- Once you've paid your deposit, just make sure to coordinate with Mollie on booking your flights. Travel to and from (and within) Alaska is a tricky business — but we've got your back. We've been doing this for a while! We'll help you every step of the way to assure you have exactly what you need.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transport from Fairbanks to Wiseman
- Transport back from Wiseman to Fairbanks
- Lodging for 4 nights from the retreat start date
- Dinner on the first day of the retreat, 3 meals daily at Arctic Hive, and breakfast and lunch on the last day of the retreat.
- 5 days of dynamic programming, including but not limited to the drive tour up and back including crossing the Arctic Circle and the mighty Yukon River, daily skiing, crafts, dogsledding, northern lights (hopefully!), mingling with Wiseman village folk, yoga and more!
- Three delicious meals a day, light refreshments and all the clean mountain water you could ever want, including coffee/tea/snacks throughout the weekend. (Dietary needs can be accommodated!)
- All linens, duvet, a hand towel — freshly washed and ready for you!
- Baby wipes and dry shampoo
- Yoga mats and props
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Flight/Transport to Fairbanks
- Lodging in Fairbanks before and after the retreat, if applicable
- Nordic ski supplies — you will need classic skis, boots and poles, in addition to warm weather gear. If you arrive in Fairbanks a day early, you can snag rentals from REI!
- Breakfast and Lunch on day 1 (you will be stopping at a grocery store that morning so you can grab whatever you'd like to eat)
- Showers (You won't need one, we promise!)
- Alcohol— but you are welcome to grab what you want at the grocery store. The grocery store beer/wine/liquor department opens at 8am.
- Day 5 dinner.
- Trip Insurance, should your trip be interrupted for reasons beyond your control. Due to the nature of small business and the planning required, we strictly adhere to our cancellation policy, so we suggest checking out Wanderwell (click here!) for peace of mind. While we can’t speak for the company in every situation, past guests who had to cancel shared very positive feedback about their claims experience with Wanderwell. We recommend purchasing travel insurance sooner rather than later!
INVESTMENT:
Early Bird Pricing: $3,000
Regular Pricing: $3,250
*If you do have a group of 3 traveling together willing to share 1 cabin, we will offer a 10% discount for each of the three attendees, on a space available basis
REFUND POLICY:
Early Bird Pricing: $3,000
Regular Pricing: $3,250
*If you do have a group of 3 traveling together willing to share 1 cabin, we will offer a 10% discount for each of the three attendees, on a space available basis
REFUND POLICY:
- Everyone is required to pay at least a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit to hold your spot. That $1,000 is applied toward your total investment.
- All tuition must be paid in full 60 days prior to the retreat start date. Cancellations prior to that date are eligible for a refund, minus the $1,000 nonrefundable deposit.
- Cancellations within 30-60 days of the retreat are 50% refundable.
- Cancellations within 30 days of your retreat start date are 25% refundable.
- Cancellations within 15 days of your retreat start date are 0% refundable.
Ready to book?We'd be honored to host you. Click the button below, and if you have any trouble with the process, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Looking forward to meeting you, Mollie & Sean Busby |
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