Climb every mountain

Reconnect with the pleasures of wordcraft at this 7-day, 6-night retreat hosted by international writing expert Helen Sword in the beautiful Swiss alpine village of Wengen. Whether you aspire to make progress on a specific project or are seeking fresh inspiration, this intimate gathering will help you replenish your creative energies, refocus your ambitions, and hone your writing skills.

Participant numbers are limited, so we recommend that you book early to secure your place.

Next Mountain Rise: July 20-26, 2025

We’d love to see you there!

EARLYBIRD SPECIAL: Book by December 1 and get a 20% discount - a significant savings of $1100.

Take a video tour and meet some of the retreaters at Helen’s Mountain Rise writing retreat 2023.

What is Mountain Rise?

Mountain Rise is a 7-day, 6-night onsite writing retreat for academic, professional, and creative writers who are looking for a change of venue, style, or heart. Join Helen and an exclusive cohort of fellow writers in beautiful Wengen, Switzerland for daily workshops, individual coaching, and plenty of focused writing time.

 

The journey

Make your way by train or car to the magical Lauterbrunnen valley — the real-life inspiration for the elvish kingdom of Rivendell in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings — and board a cog-wheeled train to the car-free village of Wengen, nestled at the foot of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau mountains high in the Swiss Alps. In summer, this bustling ski region becomes a peaceful oasis of green meadows, melodious cowbells, and over 500 kilometres of hiking trails. Settle into your accommodation and savor that clear mountain air!

The venue

Daily workshops and coaching sessions will be held in a spacious venue with spectacular alpine views, just a few hundred meters from the train station and village centre. At the Edelweiss Hotel, you’ll have your own private room with a south-facing balcony, writing desk, and ensuite bathroom. We’ll supply daily lunch and snacks; breakfast and dinner are served each day in the dining room of the Edelweiss Hotel.

The program

You’ll be encouraged to indulge in restorative retreat activities such as mountain walks, excursions, and collegial conversations over a glass of wine — but mostly, you’re here to write! Your facilitator, Helen Sword, has designed a program guaranteed to broaden and deepen your pleasure in writing and while also sharpening your wordcraft. Your daily schedule will include workshops and discussions on topics ranging from productivity to pleasure, as well as masterclass-style coaching and focused writing time. On Day 4, Helen will lead you on an all-day excursion along a magnificent mountain ridge, with options available for both hikers and non-hikers.

Meet your facilitator

Greetings! I’m Helen Sword, a scholar, poet, teacher, and the author of four research-based books on writing and writers. I’ve helped thousands of writers find new pleasure and satisfaction in writing, and I’d love to help you, too! Join me in the glorious Swiss Alps — one of my favorite places in the world — for a week of regenerative, joyful, craft-focused writing time and conversations about writing. (My other favorite place in the world? Waiheke Island, of course!)

Please contact me to book a free Zoom consultation if you’d like to discuss whether Mountain Rise is right for you.

 

Mountain Rise timetable

day 1: arrival

Arrive at your accommodation on Sunday afternoon and settle in, then join Helen and your fellow retreaters for a meet-and-greet over drinks and dinner. We look forward to hearing all about your goals and aspirations for the week!

days 2-6: retreat

9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Writing time
1:00 - 2:oo pm: Lunch
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Workshops and small-group coaching
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Writing time / free time
7:00 pm: Dinner at the hotel

Excursion day

On Day 4 (Wed) we’ll embark on an all-day “Writing and Walking” mountain workshop/excursion. Descend by train to Lauterbrunnen, ascend by cable car to Gruetschalp, then hike or ride along a spectacular alpine ridge to the charming villages of Muerren, Gimmelwald, and Stechelberg — a magical day!

day 7: departure

Pack up and check out of your accommodation by 10 am on Saturday. If you don’t need to rush off to make a travel connection, you’re invited to join Helen and your fellow retreaters at a cafe near the train station to reflect on the week and say your final farewells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't see your question answered here? Contact us for more information.

Program

  • Helen specializes in working with academic and professional writers; however, all kinds of writers are welcome!

  • Rather than setting the program in advance, Helen will design bespoke workshops and guided discussions based on the participants’ interests and other writing-related issues as they arise, drawing from her extensive repertoire of topics including productivity, pleasure, creativity, and craft. (On the Excursion Day, the set workshop topic is “Writing and Walking”).

  • Helen will run daily coaching sessions to ensure that every retreat participant receives plenty of individualized feedback and writing advice. You’ll also have ample opportunities to chat informally with Helen over meals, on walks, and during breaks.

  • This is your retreat, and you are welcome to spend your time however you wish. We only ask that you let us know in advance if you’re planning to skip a particular workshop, coaching session, or meal so that we don’t sit around waiting for you.

Logistics

  • Wengen is located 20 kilometres from Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, 2 hours and 40 minutes by train from Zurich Airport. Although Wengen itself is car-free, you can travel either by train or by car, as there is a large multi-storey carpark at the Lauterbrunnen train station, with trolleys for your luggage and lifts to the station platforms. From Lauterbrunnen, it’s just a 14-minute scenic cog train ride up to Wengen, with trains departing every half hour, and a 6-minute downhill walk to your accommodation at Hotel Edelweiss.

  • Besides writing, you mean? Wengen itself is a picture-postcard mountain village, with nostalgic timber chalets, elegant Belle Époque hotels, and an absolutely astonishing view. For inspiration and adventure, there are over 500 km of marked walking trails nearby, as well as 15 mountain cableways leading to some of the most beautiful vantage points in the Jungfrau region.

  • Wengen is a car-free village situated on a steep mountainside, so it could be challenging to get around if you can’t easily negotiate slopes and stairs on foot. Having said that, there are a few taxis available in the village. You’ll need to be able to ascend at least one flight of stairs to reach our daily workshop venue.

  • The all-day excursion is fully accessible to all: you can hike the entire route on foot, ride on a series of linked-up trains and cableways, or combine the two options to suit your own activity level.

Pricing

  • The cost of the retreat includes:

    • A private room with ensuite bathroom, balcony, and writing desk in the charming Hotel Edelweiss.

    • Daily continental breakfast and dinner at the hotel (every evening except Wednesday).

    • Shared lunch with the other participants.

    • All workshops, coaching, and excursions.

    You are responsible for your own travel arrangements getting to and from Wengen.

  • All formal retreat activities such as workshops, small-group coaching, and dinner-discussions are open to paid participants only. However, if you’d like to bring along a non-retreating friend, partner, or other family member(s), we may be able to accommodate them for an additional fee. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

  • Discounts:

    • Retreat alumni and WriteSPACE Studio annual members qualify for a 10% discount ($4950).

    Flexible payment plan:

    • We know that funding can be tight! Contact us if you would like to book now and pay in instalments. All the usual Terms and Conditions apply.

  • If you have to cancel your enrolment at the last minute, you can avoid incurring a cancellation penalty by finding someone else to take your place. Please see our Terms and Conditions page, and contact us if you have any questions.

Join us for Mountain Rise!

Next Mountain Rise: July 20-26, 2025

We’d love to see you in 2025!

(regular price USD $5500 / $4950*)

EARLYBIRD SPECIAL: Book by December 1 and get a 20% discount - a significant savings of $1100.

Price is in US dollars and is payable by credit card, PayPal, or direct banking. See also Terms & Conditions.

Retreat alumni and WriteSPACE Studio annual members take 10% off the regular retreat price ($4950)

*Price is in US dollars and is payable by credit card, PayPal, or direct banking. See also Terms & Conditions.