Art at Altitude

Replenish the inner artist

August 6th - 9th, 2026

A four day backcountry retreat designed to replenish the inner artist. At this all inclusive retreat, you will be perfectly situated in a private cabin during peak wildflower season. This all inclusive retreat is focused on small group sizes, with a maximum of seven artists. We will build a community centered around co-creation and the natural world. With guided hikes focused on plein air art practices you can expect short stops for quick sketches followed by extended stops to dive into your practice. Workshops will be intertwined with the daily outings to create pieces from the different perspectives of participating artists. In a time where everyone feels disconnected, this is a space centered around what matters. Community, creativity, and nature. This all inclusive artist retreat includes a private cabin, chef prepared meals, and guided hikes. This retreat is for artists looking to reconnect with what matters.

Experience:

    • Bed 1: Private room with a King bed - $1,700

      • Save $500 by bringing a friend! $2,900 total

    • Bed 2 & 3: Shared room with 2 Queen beds - $900 per bed 

    • Bed 4: Semi Private with a curtain King bed - $1,200

      • Save $500 by bringing a friend! $1,900 total

    • Bed 5: Semi Private with a curtain Double Bed - $750

    • Transportation to and from Gunnison Airport

    • 3-night stay at a private cabin

    • Private chef 

      • 3 meals a day

      • Apres snack

      • Trail snacks

    • Art supplies (for you to keep!)

      • Sketch Pad

      • Variety of Micon pen sizes

      • Pencils, eraser, & sharpener

      • Travel size water color kit

      • Paint brushes

      • clipboard

    • Creative workshops

    • Guided Hiking

A person sitting on a rock by a river, wearing a grey beanie, a red and blue vest, and a plaid long-sleeve shirt, with one arm raised to throw a rock into the water, near a waterfall surrounded by trees.
A person lying on the ground in a field of yellow flowers, doing a yoga pose with one leg raised and knees bent, wearing orange pants, with a mountain in the background.
Interior of a room with large windows showing a forest outside, wooden shelving with books, bottles, and decorative items, ski equipment leaning against the wall, and a wooden table with a lamp.

3-night stay at a private cabin located in Schofield Park. A 45 minute drive from Crested Butte, CO. or an 11 mile hike from Aspen, CO.

Bring your friends! Save $500 on the overall cost when you book a private or semi private room with a friend or partner!

Accommodations:

  • We will provide transportation to and from the Gunnison Regional Airport and the town of Crested Butte.

  • Enjoy an 11 mile hike from Aspen to Crested Butte on the West Maroon trail. Expect this hike to take about 6 hours. We will pick you up at the trailhead!

    Personal vehicles and gear can be shuttled to and from the cabin depending on the direction you wish to hike. This service is an additional cost.

  • 4WD strongly recommended!

Travel:

Workshops:

Artist activation workshops will be held both outdoors and indoors with a variety of mediums. Cultivating a sense of play is key for these workshops; release expectations, collaborate with others, and replenish your inner artist!

Plein Air workshops will be held on our daily hikes. We will work on a variety of components to build your plein air skills and style. Expect workshops focused on composition, exploring styles, medium choices, and implied texture. The combination of these workshops will support your journey to developing your personal style and vision as an artist.

Activities:

A daily hike will be accompanied by plein air workshops focused on the natural landscape and developing your personal style. We will explore a variety of landscapes around the cabin and within Schofield Park. The thrill of cliff jumping at the Devils Punch bowl, the calm of swimming in Emerald lake, and hiking amongst a sea of wildflowers. Schofield Park is magical, the perfect place to rest, reset, and play.

Mountain landscape with green slopes, trees, and patches of snow under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of four women having a picnic outdoors in a field of yellow flowers with mountains in the background. One woman is holding champagne and others are smiling and enjoying their drinks.

Activities

Mountain Biking

The world renown #401 trailhead is about a mile from the cabin! Another great ride is trail #403 taking you from the “Top of the World” down to the east river headwaters. These adventures are unguided, but we will set you up for success.

A woman riding a mountain bike on a gravel trail in a green, hilly landscape with mountains in the background, wearing a purple helmet and sunglasses, smiling and enjoying the outdoor activity.
A scenic mountain landscape with a lake, a boat, green foliage, and a shoreline in the foreground.

Alpine Lake Adventures

High alpine lakes are something special! Let us show you the magic.

Chasing Waterfalls

Schofield Park is home to the Crystal River and multiple stunning waterfalls. Take a dip in the cold river or jump in over the falls. Summer adventures are never complete without a natural swimming pool.

Group of five smiling women dressed in outdoor clothing, standing on rocky terrain near a waterfall in a forested area.

Wildflower Hikes

Hike through high alpine environments with endless wildflowers. Your guide will invite you into the world of local flora and fauna, sharing names, uses, and fun facts. Schofield Park is the mecca of wildflowers.

A lush meadow filled with purple and orange wildflowers in front of green rolling hills and a mountain peak in the background under a cloudy sky.

Experience Art at Altitude!

August 6th-9th, 2026

Applications are free and open to everyone regardless of artistic ability, gender, or sexual orientation. We aim to create a safe and inclusive space for creativity to flow and connections to grow!

Applications are used to create a cohesive group to build a community during the retreat. We will use the information to piece together a balanced group of individuals.

Fill out the form and we will be in touch with a link to pay the deposit to secure your spot.

If you have any questions, send us an email at

hello@mentalitytoreality.com

Apply Here!
  • A cozy log cabin living room with large windows showing a forest outside. The room features a red patterned sofa, a black armchair, a wooden bookshelf filled with books, a guitar, a wood stove with a visible fire, a map on the wall, and various decorative items including bottles and skis.

    The Living Room

  • A bedroom with two beds, one in the foreground with a plaid pattern quilt, and another with a blue comforter. There is a window with view of trees, a wooden nightstand with a lamp, and a small shelf with pictures and a lamp. A paper lantern light fixture hangs from the ceiling.

    Two Queens

  • A cozy bedroom with a large bed covered in a purple quilt and white pillows, featuring a rustic wooden cabinet and a window with a black wall-mounted lamp next to it, with an open door leading to a balcony or outdoor area.

    One King Bed

  • A bed with white comforter and blue patterned sheets in a rustic room with wooden walls and a window.

    Semi-Private California King

  • View of a rustic bedroom with wooden bed frame and checkered bedding, seen through a doorway with a brown curtain. There is a ceiling fan, framed pictures on the wall, and wooden flooring with a green geometric rug.

    Semi-Private Twin Bed

Living Room
Living Room
Old skis
Stairs to bedrooms
Bathroom
Private King Bedrooom
Kitchen Table
SKi decor
Kitchen, bar, and table
Shared room with two queen beds
Living room, fire place, and stairs to bedrooms
Semi-Private California King
Semi-Private Twin Bed
View of Semi-private beds
Private King Bedroom
Living Room

  • Once you fill out the form above, we will send you an email with a link to pay a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.

    We’ll email you a receipt and welcome letter to confirm your reservation, along with a complete informational packet to help you plan, prepare and pack for your retreat.

    The final remaining balance is due, in full, 30 days prior to your trip and is non-refundable.

  • YES! Art at Altitude is geared towards creatives of all kinds. This retreat is not based on art instruction, but on artistic activation. Come with an open mind and ready to play outside. Be ready to make the world a canvas for your creativity.

  • Yes, bring your friends to Art at Altitude!

    If you book a private room for two people (Bed 1 or Bed 4) you will receive a $500 discount on your booking.

    If you have a group of three and book the shared room with two queen beds (Bed 3 & 4), you will save $600 on your booking.

    If you have a group of four friends and book the shared room with two queen beds (Bed 3 & 4), you will save $1,000 on your booking.

    Please fill out the form above. Let us know what accommodation and how many are in your party to receive the discount!

  • Arrival Day:

    Check in for Art at Altitude will be at 2pm at the cabin. Location details will be shared in the welcome email.

    When everyone arrives we will begin with a snack and creative workshop to build community and unlock creativity.

    Airport Shuttle:

    • The Gunnison Airport shuttle will pick up the light landing at 1:35pm on August 6th

    • There will only be ONE shuttle available. Please plan accordingly.

    • The shuttle will stop at the Crested Butte Visitors Center as an additional pick up location. Please meet at 2:15pm

    • The shuttle from Gunnison to the cabin is about an hour and a half. Expect 40 minutes of the drive to be unpaved and bumpy.

    Hike from Aspen

    • Trailhead pick up will be at 2:30pm. Please plan accordingly. The hike takes around 6 hours

    Departure Day:

    Check out will depend on your transportation choice.

    Airport Shuttle:

    • The shuttle to Gunnison will depart at 8am On August 9th. This shuttle will get you to the airport in time for the 11:30am flight. Daily flights from Gunnison leave at 11:30am & 7:10pm.

    • There will only be ONE airport shuttle

    Hike to Aspen:

    • Plan to spend 6 hours on the trail.

    • We will drop you off at the trailhead!

    Drive Personal Vehicle:

    • Please plan to leave the cabin no later than 11:00am.

  • Hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte is a bucket list item for people across the world. The iconic West Maroon Trail is an 11 mile hike and takes about 6 hours. The trail has extensive views of wildflowers and 14er peaks including, Maroon Peak (14,163’), North Maroon Peak (14,019’), Pyramid Peak (14,025’), Snowmass Mountain (14,105’), Castle Peak (14,247’), and Conundrum Peak (14,037’). The best time to hike is between late June and mid August.

    We will pick you up at the trailhead free of charge! The cabin is about ½ a mile from the West Maroon trailhead.

    Guided Hike:

    Our professional guide team will hike to or from Aspen with your group to share unmatched insight on local flora and fauna, peak identification, and more!

    • $1,000 for one guide (Maximum of 5 guests)

    • $1,800 for two guides (Maximum of 10 guests)

    Shuttle Service:

    We offer a shuttle service to transport your personal vehicle and gear to and from the cabin depending on the direction you hike. This service is an additional charge.

    • $700 per vehicle

    Parking:

    • Aspen:

      • The Maroon Bells Shuttle is a bus service from the Maroon Bells Welcome Center to the West Maroon Trailhead. No reservation is needed for the parking garage.

      • Book shuttle reservations HERE

      • One way shuttle tickets are available for those hiking to or from Aspen

  • The cabin it located just above 10,000’ in elevation. If you are traveling from low elevation for you trip we strongly recommend spending at least one night in the town of Crested Butte or Aspen to acclimate to the elevation. If you are looking forward to long days of hiking, this will greatly increate your ability to enjoy the trip.

    Bedrooms and Beds:

    The cabin comfortably sleeps 9 people in beds.

    • Bed 1: Private room with a King bed 

    • Bed 2 & 3: Shared room with 2 Queen beds

    • Bed 4: Semi Private loft with a curtain California King bed

    • Bed 5: Semi Private loft with a curtain Twin Bed

    Indoor Spaces:

    The open floor plan allows everyone to spread out while still enjoying each others company. Our space is designed to reconnect to what matters; the people you’re with and the natural world you experience together.

    We have a comfortable seating area centered around a wood burning stove. The living room area is surrounded by large windows, so you can experience the mountain views and forest feel from inside the cozy cabin.

    The dining room table is a place of connection; enjoying meals, creating art, and pouring over maps. The dining room table is the heart of our cabin.

    The kitchen is open and welcoming. Although we will have a private chef, this space is yours too.

    Outdoor spaces:

    We have two picnic tables perfectly situated to catch both the morning light and the sunsets. We have one screened in sitting porch with a bench seat and a love seat. There is a fire pit with circular seating, perfect for sharing stories and s’mores around the cracking fire.

    Power:

    The private cabin is solar powered, we request to charge phones and other devices while the sun is up!

    Wifi:

    We have Starlink for wifi access during your stay. But, remember this is a place to disconnect! There is no cell service at the cabin.

    ADA Accessibility:

    The cabin has gravel pathways and some stairs to maneuver. If you have concerns about visiting please reach out and we will do our best to accommodate you.

    Seasonality:

    The cabin is only accessible in the summer months between June and October. Schofield Pass is not plowed in the winter, therefore we only operate in the summer.

  • Our workshops will be a fun mix of everything! We will use indoor spaces as well as outdoor tables. Even alternative canvases, think - natural mandalas or making paint with wildflowers! The options are endless and our workshops aim to unlock creativity while building community. one workshop a day will be a group project.

    We will also explore the landscape on a daily guided hike with plein air art practices built in. We will find a view, sit down for a set amount of time, and draw what we see!

    Theses workshops will help you discover your style and voice. Using a variety of mediums will be used. Cultivating a sense of play is key for these workshops; release expectations, collaborate with others, and replenish your inner artist!

  • Inclusions:

    • 3-night stay at a private cabin

    • Airport shuttle from Gunnison Regional Airport

    • Chef prepared meals: Breakfast, lunch, aprés, and dinner

    • daily guided hikes with our professional guide team

    • Pick up at the West Maroon Trailhead on the Crested Butte side

    • Art supplies

    • Creative workshops

    Add on Options:

    • Vehicle shuttle to or from Aspen

    • Guide for the full West Maroon hike to or from Aspen

    • Gratuity

  • All meals are prepared by a private chef who can accommodate any dietary restriction. We will send more information in the welcome packet.

    Alcohol Policy

    Mentality to Reality does not have a liquor license to provide or serve alcohol. We encourage you to bring your favorite beverages with you. If you’d like the convenience of having the cabin stocked with your preferred liquor, wine, and beer, we’re here to assist. During the pre-arrival planning share your beverage preferences, and provide your credit card details. We’ll take care of the rest, ensuring your choices are waiting for you upon your arrival.

    Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

  • To confirm your reservation, a deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to arrival.

    • A 50% non-refundable deposit of the total booking is required at the time of booking and the balance is due 30 days prior to arrival date, including taxes.

    • Cancellations made outside of 30 days of arrival date: 100% of amounts paid are non-refundable but the amount paid may be applied towards a new booking for a stay with an arrival date within 12 months of the arrival date stated in the cancelled booking.

    • Cancellations made within 30 days of arrival date: 100% of amounts paid are non-refundable and cannot be applied  towards new bookings.

    • All re-bookings are subject to availability and potential rate increases. The time periods set forth above for applying previously paid amounts and re-booking will not be extended and any unused amounts are non-refundable. If more than one cancellation option applies, the guest may choose one of the available options. All re-bookings are final.

  • Mentality to Reality operates under a variety of permits and authorizations to provide guided outdoor experiences on both public and private lands. Our operations are conducted in compliance with all applicable regulations to ensure responsible and sustainable use of these lands.

    We acknowledge the traditional stewards of the land, the Ute Tribes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Three people standing on a rocky trail in a lush green forest with pine trees, mountain slopes, and low-hanging clouds in the background.
A group of five friends hiking on a trail in a forested area during daytime. They are walking away from the camera, with some carrying drinks and wearing casual summer clothes and hats. A young woman is smiling and waving at the camera.
A woman with long wavy hair wearing a straw hat with decorative band, a beige sleeveless top, and blue jeans, standing in a field of yellow flowers with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
Wooden house elevated on stilts with large windows, surrounded by tall evergreen trees and green grass.
A young woman with glasses and a striped shirt is sitting by a window, playing an acoustic guitar. The room has a rustic wooden interior with a large window showing trees outside. There are bottles and decorative items on a shelf above the window.