Speaker, & Writer
A cozy Catskills weekend at Spruceton Inn
November 5-8, 2026
West Kill, New York
$2500
As fall turns to winter, join Kari Leibowitz and Becky Lee for a long weekend in the Catskills designed to help you embrace the season to come.
For those who want to understand the science of how our mindsets can transform our experience of cold dark days and who are ready to enter winter with new rituals, new perspectives, and maybe a few new friends.
In a curated mix of guided reflections, group activities and discussion, and solo free time, we’ll explore what it means to live seasonally, the unique opportunities and gifts of winter, how to cultivate slowness and coziness amidst our busy lives, and how the science of mindset can help us connect with ourselves and the world around us.
Research
Our days
Inspired by Kari’s research on embracing the dark season, this retreat combines the science of wintertime mindset with a slow, restorative weekend. Think: good conversation, seasonal meals, and time in nature.
A thoughtfully designed mix of guided sessions and downtime. Start your mornings slowly with coffee and conversation before diving into the morning's theme. Activities will include outdoor exploration, personal reflection, communal conversations, good meals, and plenty of time for rest, exploration, reading, and sauna. You’ll leave with a new set of tools for finding joy and meaning in the dark days of winter.
Group sessions will include a mix of mindset workshops, hands-on creative activities, and guided reflections to help you design your own winter rituals.
Draft Agenda
Subject to change based on weather and vibes
Thursday
4pm: Check-in opens
6pm: Welcome gathering
7pm: Dinner
Evening: Fireside conversation & warm drinks
Friday
9:30am: Breakfast
Morning theme: Friluftsliv, the Norwegian concept of “living in the free air”
Example activities: Awe walk, nature mandalas, crafting found object art
1pm: Lunch
Afternoon theme: Koselig/Hygge, the Norwegian concept of coziness
Example activities: Finding your cozy winter style, journaling, winter hobby exploration
6:30pm: Dinner
Evening: Wood-fire Sauna Session
Including lighting of the fire & rotating group sessions in the Cloudberry Sauna, which seats up to 8 people
Saturday
9:30am: Breakfast
Morning theme: Seasonal Rituals
Example activities: Cultivating your own winter rituals, make your own seasonal calendar, designing winter menus
1pm: Lunch
Afternoon theme: Rest
Example activities: Crafting a rest practice, nap & reading time, sauna and cold plunge
6:30pm: Dinner
Evening theme: Embracing darkness
Example activities: Stargazing, firepit time, candle-light creativity
Sunday
9:30am: Breakfast
Morning theme: Winter intentions - closing discussions and intentions
The details
About Spruceton Inn
Spruceton Inn is a nine-room bed and bar tucked into the Catskill Mountains of West Kill, New York. Eight acres of meadows, fire pits, and a creek. A tiny bar where half the profits go to social and climate justice causes, run by Casey Scieszka — innkeeper, novelist, artist residency host.
Learn more here.
Getting there
About 3 hours from New York City or 2 hours from Albany by car.
What’s Included
- 3 nights accommodation at Spruceton Inn, November 5-8, 2026
- All meals — Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast, catered with seasonal local ingredients
- All group activities
- All workshop materials and facilitation
Not included: travel to/from West Kill, NY
Participants: 8 rooms available, for single or double occupancy
Pricing:
Single occupancy: $2,500 (includes $500 deposit to hold your spot)
Double occupancy (shared queen bed): $1,900/person (includes $500 deposit)
Final payment due by October 15, 2026. Deposit information is collected at the end of the registration form.
After you have paid your deposit and reserved your place we will contact you via email with a welcome packet including arrival and departure specifics, travel tips, packing suggestions and more.
Cancellation Policy: Deposits are non-refundable, and the remaining balance is due by October 1. Because of the nature and location of this retreat, we have a strict cancellation policy. Please consider purchasing your own travel insurance if needed. For cancellations made after fees are paid in full, we may be able to offer you a partial refund (50%) if someone from our waitlist is able to take your place, if this is not possible the fees will not be refunded.
Feel free to contact us in advance of registration if you have any questions: becky@karileibowitz.com.