Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre was created to provide a place for people to reconnect with a part of themselves that may be neglected or hidden, to connect with others or just getaway and have some fun!
Whether you seek a much needed R&R break, a getaway from kids and family, romance, or a deeper spiritual connection, we will cater to your needs to make your visit a memorable experience. The staff here look forward to making your stay enjoyable. Surrounded by nature, beds are comfy, duvets are cozy, people are friendly and the food is yummy – what more could you want?
Located on 150 acres of majestic maple and cedar forests, lush meadows and surrounded by 3000 acres of provincial land, you can breathe fresh air, sleep deeply and feel revitalized just by being here. We have 20 km of trails accessible from the property for hiking or skiing.so you can walk for hours and not see another person or find a special place to sit still in the forest. We’re pet friendly so bring your pooch for some offleash adventures.
LIZ FROST
I have been the driving force behind the development of Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre. After attending my first retreat decades ago I began to dream of a space in the woods to share the experience with others. I’m a rather stubborn individual and was very determined to make this dream a reality despite the incredible number of roadblocks along the way. I have committed to myself to embodying mindfulness and emotional intelligence in all that I do. I love sharing what I’ve learned and after 25 years of mindfulness training I still believe I’m scratching the surface and have much to learn. As I say in all my workshops “We’re never doneâ€.
I worked as a Chartered Accountant in Toronto in what I think of as my `other life’. I became vegetarian at age 25, started meditating and studying holistic health and nutrition for fun, and left the corporate world at age 30, in what I now call my ‘early mid-life crisis’. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I just knew I wasn’t meant to sit in an office. I traveled, backpack style, for a couple years before returning to school. Completing an M.A. Ed. through Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, that resulted in being a psychotherapist. I bring an eclectic mix of training in many different models of therapy which results in therapy being tailored to one’s needs. I am also a certified yoga teacher. I teach yoga as a form of meditation and incorporate mindfulness into daily activities. I do stop and smell the roses in the garden, pause to hear the beating of wings and pour love into cooking, cleaning and teaching. I continue to study, believing that one’s education never really ends. My favourite teacher right now is my son Ben who at a very young age intuitively named some of the gardens “The gods garden†which had a Buddha statue in it (as opposed to the medicine wheel garden which he calls “The earth’s garden†which is apparently “more important because we have to take care of the earth nowâ€). I love the work I do and feel blessed to have such incredible teachers constantly coming here to share my vision.
I also feel blessed to call Sugar Ridge home. It truly is paradise. I live here with my husband Kurt, son Ben, 3 dogs and 2 cats. I wake to the sound of birds at dawn, appreciate the view which changes every moment. The joy of my life is to play with Ben and go on ‘expeditions’ of the property. The property is so big we haven’t even seen it all yet. When Ben was much younger we found where the fairies live and of course our secret land of Rabbit and Toad. I am passionate about the organic gardens of Sugar Ridge and love to get dirty. I feel more at home in the forest than in the house and I’m not scared of the dark. Midnight walks with coyotes howling is heaven to me.
Sugar Ridge started as a dream of Liz Frost about 20 years ago. After having a wonderful experience at a retreat centre, in the middle of January, with a remote forest cabin, Liz wanted to share the experience with others. Kurt joined the dream when he married Liz and after several years of searching for the right property they found Sugar Ridge in 2005. Building the retreat centre has been an uphill battle. The project was meant to be because for every roadblock a solution followed close behind. Everything has fallen into place to make the dream a reality.
It is our dream that one day we will be able to offer low cost or free programs to groups who really need to experience the peacefulness here.Sugar Ridge is small enough to be managed by the owners, which provides a unique service to our guests. Chances are your meals will be cooked by Liz and Kurt and they do the laundry too!
Private Cabins Enjoy a private cabin at the retreat centre. Each of the ten cabins accommodates up to 4 people in either a double bed and 2 twin beds or four twin beds. Click here for more information. Create your own escape on your own or bring a friend or 3! If you book a private retreat you will have a cabin to yourself but you can book for up to 4 people in your cabin. GROU
"Food is probably the most important aspect of time away from home so we make it worth the trip. It’s also something we focus on to make you feel at home, and welcome. We nurture you with awesome food. Your body will thank you for the break from eating heavier foods and your taste buds will be tantalized with fresh herbs and spices that leave you wanting more even when your belly is full. Mindful eating is a treat for your eyes, your nose and your mouth. Exploring flavour and texture is mindfulness in action. For years now, Liz has been asked to write a cookbook (it’s in the works) and after you eat here you’ll know why. Liz is passionate about food and that’s why she does the cooking. “Love is the special ingredient” she says when people ask what makes things taste so good. We select produce in season, local when possible and almost always organic. The menu is dependent on the season, the weather and the whim of Liz on any given day. Meals are shared with other guests here and not ordered from a menu. This list is just meant as an example of the type of dishes served. Most dishes are vegan and gluten free. We can accommodate any food allergy within a vegetarian spectrum. Being vegetarian for decades, we know how difficult it can be to go out and have a great meal. We make it easy for you to enjoy incredible food."
