French Alps

This special On Roots winter wellness edition blends yoga, functional movement, and mountain adventure. Set in the French Alps and tailored for everyone, this week invites you to hit the slopes to learn or master skiing and snowboarding, explore scenic winter hiking trails, or simply unwind. Hosted in a cozy villa with breathtaking alpine views and incredible French cuisine.

Our chalet ‘L'Écuela’ the heart of French Alps

A 17th-century classic Savoyard chalet, L’Écuela carries a rich alpine heritage and authentic charm. Thoughtfully restored and nestled in a picturesque mountain village, it offers a peaceful winter escape with modern comforts—cozy fireplaces, panoramic mountain views, and warm, welcoming interiors. A truly magical place where historic alpine character and slow mountain living are woven into every detail.

Winter Wellness: Ski, Snowboard & Alpine Trails

This week is absolutely optional and open to all levels: beginners can take guided ski or snowboard classes while experienced riders can freely explore the terrain on their own. Prefer to stay grounded? Opt out of the slopes and enjoy serene winter hiking trails. It’s the perfect balance of adventure and mountain peace. Our Chalet is located close to Morzine and nestled within the massive Portes du Soleil—the world’s second-largest ski area—outdoor adventure is completely customizable.

Yoga and Movement experience

Our yoga practice focuses deeply on body-mind connection, bridging the gap between traditional yoga asana, modern movement, and intentional recovery. Designed to complement your days in the mountains, the sessions focus on joint health, stability, and mobility. The training is structured to build long-term physical longevity and bulletproof your joints.

Warm Jacuzzi & Thai massage

Unwind after a day in the mountains with a warm Jacuzzi tub in the crisp winter air. Melt away tension and leave feeling deeply relaxed and rejuvenated with our authentic Thai Traditional Massage, performed by a professionally trained Thai massage therapist. Complemented by hot tea and cozy spaces, it is the perfect setting for deep relaxation and complete restoration.

Cuisine

All meals are thoughtfully prepared by our private French chef, Estelle. First trained by her grandmother and mother, she brings over a decade of catering experience to the chalet, specializing in home-cooked French and Mediterranean cuisine. As a certified nutritionist, Estelle expertly caters to all dietary requirements—including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free

What is Included?

7 days + 6 nights in a beautifully restored 17th-century Savoyard chalet—where timeless alpine charm meets modern comfort.
Enjoy daily chef-prepared French-alpine meals—including pre-practice breakfast and dinner made with local ingredients, plus all-day fruits and snacks, with menus tailored to your dietary preferences.
1 to 2 Daily Classes (Yoga, mobility, functional movement, and recovery stretches).
One complimentary private massage treatment (Thai or aroma relaxing massage) to melt away tension.
Guided breath-work and meditation sessions.
Guided scenic winter hike through the beautiful alpine trails of the Portes du Soleil area.
Access to the outdoor warm Jacuzzi tub to unwind after a day in the mountains.

** Dedicated downtime to customize your week: perfect for hitting the slopes for 3 to 4 days of optional skiing/snowboarding, or just relaxing at the chalet.

*** Massage appointments are allocated on a first-paid, first-served basis. Guests who complete their retreat booking first will have priority in choosing their preferred massage time slot.

What is NOT Included?

***Note on Flexibility: Because our community joins us from all over the world, many arrive by different means, including train or personal car, so transportation is kept flexible. Likewise, we leave ski passes optional so you can customize your week—whether you want a 3-day pass, a 4-day pass, or prefer to skip the slopes entirely to unwind at the chalet.

Sample Daily Flow

Please note: This schedule is completely flexible and will be customized throughout the week to best fit the group’s energy, individual activities, and massage bookings. Our goal is to ensure everyone enjoys a perfectly seamless winter wellness experience.

Morning Yoga & Mobility Routine

A targeted practice designed to wake up the body, build joint stability, and perfectly prep you for a day in the mountains.

Chef-Prepared Alpine Breakfast

Fuel up with a nourishing breakfast before heading out.

Mountain Adventure or Chalet Relaxation

Hit the slopes for a full day of skiing and snowboarding, head out for a scenic winter hike, or simply stay back to unwind at the chalet.

Après-Move: Unwind & Massage/evening yoga session*

The ultimate afternoon recovery. Melt away tension in the outdoor warm Jacuzzi, sip hot tea by the fire, or enjoy your complimentary private massage treatment/ A gentle session focused on deep mobility, intentional breath-work, and recovery stretches to restore your body from the day's activities.

Chef-Prepared Dinner time

*** Massage treatments are available throughout the day until 21:00 for those who wish to indulge in a little extra care and relaxation.

Accommodations

All rooms are with comfortable new bedding, luxury, Egyptian cotton linen and luxurious fluffy towels, and dressing gowns.

En-suite room

Double Bed

2 Twin Beds

Room Details: Private En-suite Bathroom (Available in Double Bed or 2 Twin Beds configurations).

Shared occupancy : €1,990 p.p

Single occupancy : €2,790 p.p

Cozy Double room

Shared Bathroom

1 Room Available

Room Details: 1 Double Bed, Shared Bathroom with one with just one neighboring room.

Single occupancy : €2,290 p.p.

Companion Twin room

Shared Bathroom

1 Room Available

Room Details: 2 twin beds sharing a bathroom with the neighboring room.

Shared occupancy : €1,790 p.p

Meet your hosts Issy - Max

Issy Nadee

Issy started her yoga journey after years of suffering from back pain scoliosis, causing lots of physical and mental issues. She wants to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle through yoga, mobility and movement to enhance the joint’s mobility. Her class combines modern movements and mindfulness. She gives various modifications. She believes that ‘yoga is not about the poses, so don’t let the poses define you. We use them as a tool to connect and learn deeper within ourselves’.

Maxime Ronse

Max brings years of experience as a personal trainer specializing in calisthenics and strength training. With a deep understanding of anatomy, he excels at breaking down movements and integrating muscle groups to optimize strength, mobility, and body awareness. His expertise in calisthenics perfectly complements the yoga practice, as both disciplines share roots in bodyweight training and functional movement. His knowledge and passion for movement make him an invaluable asset to this training, providing unique insights into how strength training and mobility can enhance and deepen yoga practice

Client Testimonials

On Roots Thailand was honestly something else I joined super last minute, without really knowing what to expect, and left with my heart completely full.

Moving my body every day through yoga and calisthenics, laughing way too much, exploring, and meeting such beautiful people from all over the world… it all just flowed.

This is one of those experiences that stays with you.

So much love and gratitude to Max and Issy for creating something so real and special

I recently attended a yoga and calisthenics retreat in Tuscany, Italy, and had an amazing experience.

The food was delicious, the venue was beautiful, and every detail was thoughtfully planned. What truly made the retreat special were Issy and Max. Their professionalism, warmth, and genuine care created a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for everyone.

I left feeling refreshed, energized, and grateful. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking for a wonderful combination of movement, relaxation, great food, and beautiful surroundings.

Thank you, Issy and Max, for such a memorable experience!💕

I took part in the retreat in Krabi, Thailand! The retreat location was incredible.

I was lucky enough to meet amazing people with whom I shared great conversations over delicious meals and created many other unforgettable moments ! Issy and Max are truly passionate about their discipline and share their knowledge with natural ease, complementarity, and kindness. 💛

I encourage anyone to have this wonderful experience !

I had such a great time at the On Roots Krabi Retreat with Issy and Max. It was a fun space to play, move, and explore what my body can do in new ways, without any pressure.

I always felt supported and well taken care of.

Everything was thoughtfully organised, which made it easy to relax and fully enjoy the experience.

I signed up on a whim, no real expectations.

What happened those few days completely surprised me. Something just clicked. My body felt different, my mind clearer, and I actually wanted to take better care of myself for once. Not out of obligation, but because I finally had the energy for it.

The place is absolutely beautiful. You lose track of time in the best way.

The people running it made all the difference though. They genuinely care, and you can feel it. Every session felt intentional, like it was designed to actually stay with you.

My brain just reset. I finally broke through something I'd been stuck in for a while.

If you get the chance, don't overthink it. Just go.

An experience I will never forget. An experience that allowed me to rediscovered my body and child within me.

The retreat was organised down to the last detail,to allowing us to focus entirely to the training sessions.

The beauty of this retreat was that your doesn’t have to be skilful in yoga or calisthenic to participate , Issy and Maxime are attentive and patiënt to share there knowledge , even after the the training session.

FAQ

What Is Not Included In Your Package

Extra food and activities outside the chalet
Flights & Airport Transfers
Private excursions outside the chalet besides the ones we have planned for you.

Traveling to Chalet ‘L'Écuela’

Getting to Chalet ‘L’Écuela’ from the airports
L’Ecuela, The Old School, is situated only 1 1/4 hr from Geneva airport, 30 minutes from the nearest railway station in Thonon les Bains.

Transport options:

Private airport transfer –> Time: ~1h15–1h30
Shared airport shuttle/minibus (8-16 seats) –> Time: ~1h30–2h
Rental Car –> Geneva Airport → A40 motorway → Cluses → Morzine → L’Écuela
Time: ~1h15–1h40
Public transport
Train or bus from Geneva Airport → Thonon-les-Bains or Cluses
Local bus up to Morzine
Taxi or local transfer to L’Écuela

Approximately one month before the retreat starts, we will create a whatsapp group and ask everyone to share their transportation details. Here is a chance for everyone to see if sharing a car, for example, is possible.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check in Date & Time: March 13, 2027 from 2 pm onwards. If you arrive before and your room is not ready, you are welcome to come earlier and hang out at the common areas

Check out Date & Time: March 19, 2017: 11 am. Also, if you wish to stay longer and book some additional nights please let us know and we see what is possible.

How is the weather like in March in the French Alps?

March in the French Alps is a mix of winter and early spring. Temperatures range from about -5°C to 12°C depending on altitude. Snow is still reliable in the mountains, especially above 1,500 m, while lower areas start to warm up and melt.

You can expect sunny days becoming more frequent, but also quick weather changes with occasional snow or rain. Overall, it’s a great month for skiing with longer daylight, softer conditions, and a mix of fresh snow and spring sun.

Closer to the retreat’s day, we will send out the packing list to everyone.

Do you offer payment plans?

Payment Plan (Per Person)

For couples, simply double the amounts.

Deposit (Non-Refundable):

- Amount: 500 EUR
- Due: Upon registration (secures your spot)

First Installment:

- Amount: 500 EUR
- Due: 13 August 2026 (7 months before the retreat)

Second Installment:

- Amount: 500 EUR
- Due: 13 October, 2026 (5 months before the retreat)

Final Balance:

- Amount: Remaining balance
- Due: 13 December, 2026 (3 months before the retreat)

Key Notes:

All payments are per person.
The deposit is non-refundable but deductible from the total cost.
Payment reminders will be sent ahead of each deadline.

Please read the Terms & Conditions about our payment plans and cancellation policy to find out more.

How do I secure my spot?

Select your room in the ‘Accommodation’ section and press the book now. You will be directed to the checkout page where you can choose to either pay a deposit now and continue with a payment plan or you choose to pay in full.

Do I need a visa to travel to France?

No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days if you’re a citizen of the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, or other visa-exempt countries.

Important:

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Italy.
Ensure your passport has at least one blank page for entry stamps.

Non-EU travelers should check Italy’s official immigration website for updates based on nationality.

I am completely new to yoga. Is this retreat the right place for me?

Absolutely! Issy and Maxime have thousands of hours of teaching experience under their belts. They can offer endless options and variations so everyone can practice at their own level. The most important aspect is to have fun while exploring the capabilities of your body at your own pace and under the professional guidance of your trainers.

I am a skier+snowboarder too. Is there any ski possibility for me at the retreat?

Absolutely! Our chalet is located close to the world’s first cross-border ski area called “Les Portes du Soleil”. It is also one of the largest ski areas in the Alps. Between France and Switzerland, the domain offers you a majestic panorama and a total change of scenery!

For more information about the area and Pass – please visit Portes Du Soleil
(https://en.portesdusoleil.com/in-winter/skiing-in-les-portes-du-soleil/)

We can assist and help arrange the transport!

I am not a skier, nor snowboarder. Is there a class I can join?

Actually one of our hosts used to be a snowboarder instructor so yes, he will host a snowboard workshop!

What will I do if I do not wish to join any activities outside?

At our private chalet, unwind in the outdoor warm Jacuzzi, sip hot tea by the fire, or enjoy a complimentary private massage treatment designed to restore body and mind. Feel free to bring your favourite drink(s) with you.

I want to know more about your Wellness/Massage program.

One massage session is already included in your package. It is a 60-minute Thai Aroma Oil Massage. Massage treatments are available throughout the day until 21.00 pm for those who wish to indulge in a little extra care and relaxation.

Massage service includes our signature Thai Hot Aroma Oil Massage, soothing Hot Stone Therapy, and traditional Thai Herbal Compress Massage, Thai Deep Issue massage and Thai Foot massage.

What does a day in the program look like?

07:00 – 08:00 | Morning Yoga & Mobility Routine
A targeted practice designed to wake up the body, build joint stability, and perfectly prep you for a day in the mountains.
08:00 – 09:00 | Chef-Prepared Alpine Breakfast
Fuel up with a nourishing breakfast before heading out.
09:15 – 16:00 | Mountain Adventure or Chalet Relaxation
Hit the slopes for a full day of skiing and snowboarding, head out for a scenic winter hike, or simply stay back to unwind at the chalet.
16:00 – 19:00 | Après-Move: Unwind & Massage/evening yoga session
The ultimate afternoon recovery. Melt away tension in the outdoor warm Jacuzzi, sip hot tea by the fire, or enjoy your complimentary private massage treatment/ A gentle session focused on deep mobility, intentional breath-work, and recovery stretches to restore your body from the day’s activities.
19:00 | Chef-Prepared Dinner time

Cancellation Policy

Read our cancellation policy click here.