Writers’ Retreat, Banff National Park
Spring 2026

Because Banff is a world-class travel destination, it is booked well in advance with onerous cancellation policies for most accommodations. As such, we’ve identified Spring 2026 as our time frame. We’re as excited as you are to know the dates, but will refine that aspect of our planning through our optional survey, sent exclusively to our mailing list. Your best bet is to sign-up to receive the latest information and our early bird offer. What we can confirm is that the retreat will run Thursday to Sunday,

We offer the perfect fusion of creative focus and natural inspiration. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, you’ll have the time to write without distraction, while enjoying the comfort, community, and curated experiences that will feed your mind and spirit. The itinerary is specifically designed to help you learn new skills, uncover your strengths, and move your project forward.

Think of this retreat as “all-inclusive.” We offer return group travel between Calgary and Banff, accommodations, meals throughout the weekend, a full itinerary of workshops, and optional activities such as a pub crawl, an all-levels hike, facilitated stretch or gym sessions, and spa services. The only aspects that incur additional costs are as follows:

• Alcohol beyond the allotted amount per guest at dinner and the pub crawl
• Tips for the spa
• Additional sightseeing activities and/or purchases in Banff
• One-on-one sessions (optional)
• Host tips (optional)

(note: you are responsible for your flights to and from Calgary.)

You’ll be taught proven methods to accelerate your progress, ranging from goal setting and habit building to craft-based tools and techniques from Communication Linguistics. You’ll also focus on health living practices that will contribute to your enjoyment and support your longevity. Add to that high-end accommodations, epicurean experiences, and customized spa appointments, and you’ll begin to see that our offering and expertise sets us apart.

This retreat offers the kind of space, support, and skills that will spark a breakthrough for your writing. It will not only reconnect you to your “why,” but also deliver solid advice and scholarship as to “how.” By stepping away from your daily demands and into a creatively charged environment, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and lasting friendships. It’s not just about finishing a project—it’s about becoming an author.

To be able to offer our guests an exceptional of service and create a strong, cohesive experience for the group, we have set a maximum of 12 guests for each retreat.

Our retreat is designed to support writers at every stage, especially those just starting out. The workshops, mentorship, and creative atmosphere will help you learn the craft, build confidence, and start a sustainable writing practice. 

The itinerary and workshops were crafted to support writers across all genres by focusing on universal elements of the craft. Whether you’re shaping a fictional world or refining a nonfiction argument, the sessions provide versatile tools for manuscript development, spade work, thematic development, and structure, among other things.

One-on-one sessions are available as a complement to the main program for a fee. These private meetings allow for in-depth discussions of specific challenges or goals. Also, developmental editing on the first pages of a WIP (work-in-progress) can be requested ahead of time. 

Our value-added itinerary was designed to maximize creative growth while ensuring a well-rounded experience. The schedule is packed with opportunities to dive deep into the craft of writing; however, there’s also plenty of downtime to explore the stunning beauty of Banff National Park.

Banff National Park is a world-renowned tourist destination because of its breathtaking natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, visitors flock to it for outdoor adventures year-round—hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking— and to soak in the iconic Banff Upper Hot Springs. The charming town itself adds to the appeal due to its alpine atmosphere, upscale dining, boutique shopping, and rich cultural history.

The Moose Hotel & Suites in Banff offers mountain elegance at its best. Located only one minute from downtown, it features 174 air-conditioned rooms, some of which are equipped with king beds, kitchenettes and gas fireplaces. Amenities include the Meadow Spa & Pools, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room, and two rooftop hot tubs with panoramic Rocky Mountain views. Dining is available at Pacini Italian Restaurant, well-known for its authentic cuisine and warm ambience.

Yes. Our companion rate includes accommodation, meals, and access to all outdoor activities, allowing them to fully enjoy the retreat’s beautiful surroundings; however, it does not cover participation in the writing or healthy living workshops. It’s a perfect option for those who want to share the experience but focus on their own writing journey.

We will be booking a large, comfortable vehicle to pick-up attendees at one of two locations in Calgary (the airport or downtown), so we can facilitate a smooth and hassle-free experience. If you prefer to drive yourself, all the major car rental companies have booths at the airport, there are shuttle services you can look into, as well as apps like Turo.

We highly recommend making your arrangements ahead of time. Also, parking can be notoriously hard to find in Banff, so we can discuss availability at the hotel, if you wish.

Darch Suite is a comfortable, private room on the third floor of the Moose Hotel, filled with natural light. It’s approximately 750 square feet and features a large, boardroom table, a living room setting (plush chairs, two couches, and a love seat), two fifty-five inch flat screen TVs, and a small kitchenette. The room will be available exclusively to retreat participants.

The Moose Hotel & Suites offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. There is also easy access to free networks throughout Banff at places such as the Banff Public Library, the Whitebark Café, and Little Wild Coffee & Gelato.

From dinner Thursday through to lunch on Sunday, all your meals are included, without the worry of extra costs for tips. If you choose to venture off by yourself in Banff, tipping is customary in restaurants and cafés—15% to 20% of the pretax bill is standard for good service.

With advance notice, we can accommodate any special dietary needs. This will be part of our intake survey sent to retreat participants.

Banff is a hiker’s paradise with trails ranging from gentle strolls to challenging alpine terrain. For our retreat, we’ll cater to the needs of the specific group based on our intake survey. If there is a variety of levels, we may split the group into an all-levels hike that still delivers a signature Rocky Mountain “wow,” and a more advanced group with a steeper grade and/or some exposure such as a ridge walk. 

In spring, Banff experiences a gradual shift from winter’s chill to milder conditions. March often remains snowy and cold, with temperatures ranging from -8°C to 4°C (17°F to 39°F), while April and May see increasing sunshine and warmer days, reaching highs of 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F). Layers are essential, as weather can change quickly with a mix of sun, rain, and occasional snow.

For the indoor component of the retreat:

• Business casual clothes for evening dining
• A bathing suit for the hot pools
• A note-taking device (optional laptop or tablet). We’ll be providing a journal.

For the outdoor portion (no need for mountaineering gear):

• Layered clothing—think cozy sweaters, a light waterproof jacket, and items you can put on or take off as the temperatures change throughout the day
• Comfortable shoes or boots for hiking
• Sunglasses
• Head wear for warmth

We have meticulously curated the retreat to provide the best value possible. The premium location, luxury accommodation, fine dining, and spa services require an investment that is higher than some writing retreats. The price is subject to change from season to season and is also dependent on the number of guests. We will be providing details on our spring retreat soon to our no-obligation wait list.

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A refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your place. Full payment must be made ninety days in advance of the first day of the event due to hotel policies and the perennial popularity of Banff.

In order to secure bookings for transport, accommodations, meeting spaces, and dining, we are only able to provide a full refund outside of sixty days prior to the scheduled start date of the retreat. This is due to the strict booking policies of the luxury venues we secure for the enjoyment of our guests.

We are able to provide a 50% refund if cancellation occurs between 30 and 60 days of the start date. Any cancellations inside of 30 days are non-refundable. Wherever possible, we will extend credit to guests who need to cancel to carryover value to a future retreat event.