Escape to the Swiss Alps next winter for a cozy writing retreat where your words come to life through community.

When: March 12-17, 2026

Where: Our private cozy Chalet in Zermatt, Switzerland

Highlights: We’ll gather for daily writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and group discussions, viewing the Matterhorn by foot and train, and indulging in fondue, fresh bread, spa time, and slow mornings

Why: To embrace our inner child’s curiosity and explore this European town to connect deeply with yourself and a circle of inspiring women.

Investment: 3,700 with a deposit of 500 USD, the rest paid in monthly installments until the trip commences

limited to 9 spaces

Escape to the Swiss Alps

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps, our winter writing retreat offers an ideal sanctuary for women seeking both inspiration and connection. Enveloped in the tranquility of the snowy mountain views, in a historic European town, our intimate chalet and workshops foster meaningful connections and shared moments with fellow women. This retreat offers a balance of solitude and community, providing space to focus on your craft and time to reflect, all within a supportive, inspiring environment.

We believe…

Everyone Is Creative

Creativity Is Vital For Our Health

Community is vital for Creativity

Our Cultivating Creativity retreats are designed to break down barriers around artistic gatekeeping, showing that creativity extends far beyond traditional forms like painting, writing, or music. It's a powerful tool for self-expression, mental health, and neuroplasticity, helping to reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. Engaging in artistic activities—whether drawing, dancing, or writing —stimulates the brain, fostering new neural connections and improving cognitive function. The retreat also offers a supportive community, where the freedom to explore without fear of judgment fosters a sense of belonging and shared discovery. Together, we inspire and empower one another to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the transformative power of creativity.

Reconnect to Your Inner Voice

•  Daily writing sessions led by your retreat hosts will be anything but ordinary: These immersive workshops are designed to draw out the most authentic parts of who you are. developing a writing practice is a way to tune into the creativity that lives in your body, alchemize the experience of being alive, and share your one-of-a-kind story with others. The daily writing workshops will follow the elements of nature (earth, air, water, fire, metal) and give you an opportunity to tap into the energy of these elements in a way that deepens your connection to yourself and your artistry. The workshops will combine somatic practices with generative prompts and exercises to excavate the magic within. Whether you wish to develop a writing practice to serve and energize your art or deepen into your writing identity, you will walk away with the tools, rituals, and support to cultivate a creative practice that endures long after the retreat comes to a close. But exploring writing as a sacred ritual — we find a way to tune into the innate creative nature found in your body, transmute the raw experience of being human, and give voice to the one-of-a-kind story that only you can tell. Through a fusion of somatic practices, generative prompts, and movement-based rituals, you’ll be invited to excavate the magic within you. This is about more than just writing — it’s about remembering. Returning. Reclaiming your voice. Whether you’re craving a revitalized creative practice, longing to deepen your relationship with writing, or simply seeking space to listen to what’s stirring somewhere beneath the surface of your life, these sessions will meet you where you are and carry you where you need to go.

• 1:1 mentoring sessions with hosts: a dedicated, supportive space to explore your creative vision. Whether you’re nurturing the seed of an idea, working through resistance, seeking clarity, or ready to dive deeper into a specific project, this time is yours. These sessions are tailored entirely to you—your pace, your questions, your voice. This might look like talking through a book, blog, or essay idea you’ve been holding onto, exploring your unique writing voice and creative process, building confidence to share your work, untangling creative blocks or quieting inner criticism, or visioning what’s next—both personally and creatively.

Our Stay in Switzerland:

Our cozy, private chalet is tucked into the heart of Zermatt, Switzerland—a dreamy winter wonderland in March. This charming little town, with its snowy paths, warm cafes, and stunning views of the Matterhorn, is the perfect place to slow down, write, and reconnect—with your creativity and with each other.

You’ll share a room (and bed) with one other attendee, each with your own personal comforter and pillow for extra cozy rest after full, inspiring days. We’ll gather each morning over a slow, nourishing brunch before diving into daily writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and heartfelt group conversations. Together, we’ll explore the magic of Zermatt—taking train rides, wandering on foot, finding the best views of the Matterhorn, visiting the local Swiss spa, and searching for the very best fondue and tucked-away cafes.

Back at our chalet, we’ll keep the creativity flowing with cozy, hands-on activities like paper and stamp making, bread and pasta making, and plenty of quiet moments for journaling, dreaming, or simply being. This retreat is more than a getaway—it’s a warm, welcoming space for creative renewal, sisterhood, and rest. You’ll be held, inspired, and reminded of just how full your creative life can be.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or picking up the pen for the first time in a long while, this is a beautiful invitation to explore your voice, your stories, and your creativity through the transformative practice of writing.

Your Hosts

Professionals Artists Sam Rueter, Lindsey O’Sullivan, & Kat Short

As artists who express ourselves through a variety of crafts—painting, photography, writing, teaching, and speaking—we each bring a unique perspective, yet share a deep passion for the transformative power of creativity.

Meet Lindsey & Sam, founders of Ember & Solis (formed in 2019). Sam is a figurative painter and art instructor who also has a popular substack account where she writes on the themes of her work. Lindsey is a mixed media artist with specialties in photography and creating spaces made for love and artistic exploration.

Meet your writing inspiration: Kat Short is a writer, artist, and storytelling coach based in Denver, CO. She owned and operated her storytelling consultancy, Tell Your Damn Story for over a decade and has facilitated storytelling workshops globally to both individual audiences, corporate teams, and conference attendees. Her approach to creativity, writing, and storytelling is holistic and cyclical. She believes that stories are the bridge between our inner and outer worlds, connection to each other, and offering to future generations. She is currently creating a large-scale immersive art experience exploring the portals of grief through installation art, poetry, music, interactive theater, and botanical sculpture called The Garden of Grief and Gladness which is scheduled to debut in late 2025. She spends her free time taking orders from her Maltipoo named Bear, perfecting favorite recipes, and scrambling around the mountains of Colorado. 

What’s Included:

Immersion in the endless beauty of the Swiss Alps, in a cozy chalet will provide endless artistic inspiration and work to fill our creative well. During this time, we will be diving into daily writing workshops led by Kat Short, add to copy……

• 6 Days, 5 nights at our private chalet

• Daily Brunches, Snacks, and more

• Attendee Swag Bag and Workbook

• Daily writing workshops + guided prompts

  • 1:1 mentoring sessions

  • Group discussions and creative circles

• Comfortable excursions around Zermatt and the Matterhorn (by train and by foot)

• Shared room with one other attendee (shared bed, individual comforters/pillows)

• Fondue outings and cozy café visits

• Spa day to soak

• Bread and pasta making sessions

• Paper and stamp making workshops

• Quiet writing time and reflection space

• Optional guided journaling and movement

• Connection, rest, and creative renewal

Travel FAQ

Zermatt is very well connected by train and this is the easiest and most scenic way to arrive. Fly into Zurich or Geneva airport, and we will help you coordinate your train ride to Zurich!

• From Zurich Airport:

  • Take the train from Zurich Airport to Visp (about 2–2.5 hours).

  • Transfer to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn for the scenic ride to Zermatt (1 hour).

• From Geneva Airport:

  • Train to Visp (about 2.5 hours).

  • Change to the Zermatt train (1 hour).

We send out plenty of information as our trip gets closer, and start group chats for our new community - so that you never have an unanswered question or feel like you’re doing this alone!

Ready to invest in yourself? Apply now:

Spaces expected to go quickly! Total Cost: $3700 USD

a $500 dollar deposit is required to secure your space! after that, a payment plan will be issued until 90 days out from the trip!