No experience is required, though an adventurous spirit is necessary. This Cold Club® Experience is designed to get you out of your comfort zone. Your guides, Matt Soule and John Paul Huffer, have carefully curated each activity to challenge beginners, intermediate and advanced practitioners as appropriate. Everyone will train within their level to walk away with the best training experience.
Yes, at minimum the recommended list includes:
Backpack suitable for hiking and carrying extra clothing
Winter clothing - beanie, gloves, long underwear, winter coat, sweaters, insulated pants, wool socks (at least 2 pair)
Insulated Hiking Boots - recommended 400 grams of insulation or more
Mini-spikes - make sure they have a proper cleat on bottom
Headlamp
Swimsuit(s) - two sets recommended (blacks, greys, whites, blues)
Water shoes - recommended to have neoprene construction with a hard sole
Sandals or Flipflops
Water bottle
Outdoor quick-dry towel
Hand warmers - optional
Trekking poles - optional
Small wool blanket - optional
Not unless you want private transportation for personal reasons. Group airport shuttles are included as well as all transportation to the training destinations during the retreat. We will be offering group airport shuttles on Wednesday, estimated at 2p, and a returning shuttle Sunday, leaving at approximately 10a arriving by 11a to Ted Stevens airport. These times are subject to change slightly in order to accommodate the maximum number of people that request a shuttle.
For cold training practitioners, Alaska is a wild frontier that offers training unlike anywhere in the world. From river training to ice covered waterfalls in winter and glacier swimming access in summer; from frozen lakes to snowy hikes in shorts, the beauty and expansive level of training opportunities are unmatched worldwide. Winter training offers a great opportunity to see the northern lights, while summer training allows the opportunity to see abundant wildlife.
You will be guided by two of the most experienced, elite cold, heat, and breathwork practitioners.
Matt Soule is the founder of Cold Club®. Over the last 15 years, Matt has taught more than 10,000 members of the public and trained over 750 instructors from more than 40 countries. His work focuses on helping people leverage stress to unlock resilience, performance, and human potential.
John Paul Huffer is a Cold Club Alaska cold water guide and the founder of Cold Nature Alaska and RunTekAKademy. Born and raised in Alaska, he has spent decades in these mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. He leads elite cold training expeditions, mobile sauna and contrast therapy sessions, multi day retreats, and private workshops for individuals, small groups, corporate teams, and organizations. Over the last several years he has guided winter groups through Alaska’s most powerful cold training environments.
Dr. Ariadna Uriarte is our onsite medical doctor and a world class health expert. She is also an experienced cold water guide and holds advanced training across multiple disciplines in health and well being. She supports both the safety and depth of the experience throughout the retreat.
If you cancel 91 days or more prior to the event start date, you receive a 100% refund. If you cancel 61 - 90 days, you receive 50% refund or, alternatively, you can receive full credit to transfer to a future event within 12 months. If you cancel within 60 days or less there is no refund or transfer.