Exclusive winter escape in the clouds over Canada' most beautiful city

Private intensive on-site WCS study with Champions Myles & Tessa

Complete your holiday with Swingcouver

Luxury WCS Retreat

Vancouver, Canada

January, 2020

SOLD OUT!

Apply here to get on our list to be notified first when we announce our next retreat!

Enjoy an exclusive learning-retreat-slash-winter-escape-holiday hosted by Myles & Tessa for maximum 12 dancers of any level in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

January 4-9, 2020
Combine 5 days of studying WCS with Canadian Champions Myles & Tessa while you holiday in a private, luxury, oceanside chalet near Vancouver, BC, Canada

January 9-12, 2020
While you’re in Vancouver, we highly recommend attending Swingcouver, a 600-person WSDC event in Canada’s Westie capital, Vancouver.

Surreal education in a surreal environment

*Actual view from the chalet location

The Holiday

The venue is a private, 6-bedroom home in West Vancouver's upscale neighbourhood, the British Properties. Perched at the base of iconic Grouse Mountain, it boasts stunning panoramic ocean views from the common areas and the dance room. There is a separate dance space, 2nd kitchen, and plenty of parking.

The British Properties neighbourhood is just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver and 1h20 from Olympic ski destination, Whistler, BC. Ambelside ocean beach is only 7 minutes drive, with massive shopping complex Park Royal next to it. In less than 20 minutes East or West, you can be parked at the base of a ski hill.

Spend your days curled up by the fire, using free WiFi, going hiking or skiing, enjoying the wild beaches, or touring Whistler village or downtown Vancouver. See tourism suggestions below, or check out this timelapse video to get a taste.

The WCS Study

Imagine going on vacation and getting full access to Champion coaches
in an exclusive small group for 5 days leading up to a big event!

Spots available for only 6 leaders and 6 followers total. The retreat is open to any level of dancer: the group is not expected to be at a homogenous skill level, because the instruction is mostly in the form of private lessons: your learning experiences will be tailored to your needs and preferences. Over the course of 5 days and nights, you will have access to Myles and Tessa both in private and group formats, right in the comfort of the chalet.

Up to 4 hours of private lessons per person
Optional evening group activities: lectures, tutorials, video analysis, Q&A, games, etc.
Social dancing & guided practica
Bonus: Video review of your comps following Swingcouver

Goga Fortin
Getting the opportunity to spend a week with Myles and Tessa in the cabin was a mind-blowing and PRICELESS experience. I know that this will shape my dancing for years to come! I can already see the affects of their teaching methods in the way that way that I’m dancing with my partners now! I feel really lucky to have been a part of the retreat!

Nora Ishibashi
It is an intense live-in study experience with all the benefits of total immersion--efficient mastery of a lot of material. You have a summer camp experience with the other couples, and you can practice dancing with other WCS aficionados. You have the deep privilege of getting to know two consummate pros and being assessed, educated, and taken care of (nurtured plus encouraged) in the midst of your dance learning journey.

Pricing

*Chalet location top left

Pricing:

Private room (1 double/queen bed):
**$1390CAD/$1060USD* per person**

Shared room (2 double/queen beds):
$1190CAD/$900USD* per person

(*$1 CAD = approx. $0.76 USD)

Pay in full or minimum deposit:
$500CAD
due upon application approval to reserve your spot.
Remainder due: Jan 1, 2020

Includes:

Accommodation in the chalet: Check-in Jan 4, check out Jan 9
Daily breakfast*
Privates, group sessions, post-Swingcouver video comp review

Register

*Actual photo of the chalet location

Each year, this retreat sells out in about 6 weeks!

Due to high demand, we implement an application process. Don't worry, there are no essay questions! We just want to make sure that those registering are committed and preparing themselves for an amazing time!

Couples or registration partners are preferred. Gender is irrelevant at this event. In order to maintain role-balance, singles may be put on a waiting list until a registration partner becomes available. We will use the application forms as a singles waiting list and cancellation waiting list.

Applications will be considered in the order they are received. Applications will be open until spots are filled and a waiting list of 10 people is filled. We expect this to happen by the end of September. Once your application is approved, we will send you the link to pay your deposit and confirm your registration!

Only 6 leaders and 6 followers accepted!

Seriously, apply ASAP to reserve your spot!

Apply Now

Tourism Suggestions

Please note that these suggested tourism activities are not included in the price of the Retreat.

Vancouver weather in January

Vancouver is known as the "San Diego" of Canada - it boasts the mildest climate of the country. Summers are long and comfortable (20-26 degrees Celcius daily), and during the winter Vancouver hardly sees any snow in the city, and it rarely drops below freezing. When it rains in the city, it snows on the ski hills, making local skiing spectacular without the headache of traffic issues due to weather.

Skiing

Local ski mountains Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour offer easy-to-access quality downhill and cross-country skiing just minutes away. Night skiing available till 10pm. (30 min drive)
World-famous Olympic ski resort Whistler/Blackcomb (45 min drive) offers two side-by-side mountains connected both at the base and at the top via peak-to-peak gondola. All snow activities available.

Hiking/Walking/Views

Porteau Cove Provincial Park is a beautiful, wild, rock and sand beach good for walking, sunsets, and getting right up to the ocean.
Capilano Suspension Bridge (30 min) Beautiful rainforest walking trails combined with elevated platforms suspended in the trees. World famous suspension foot bridge over Capilano River ravine.
Grouse Mountain Skyride (30 min) Best day and night views of Vancouver. Although this is the access point for skiiers, many pedestrians take the ride for the views and restaurant at the top. Check out the observation deck inside the wind turbine.
Stawamus Chief, Squamish (10 min) A "short" (90 min one way) but steep mountain hiking trail, with unobstructed views from its rocky dome summit.
Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola (7 min) Newly build gondola, suspension bridge and lodge at the summit with spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Stawamus Chief. 3 restaurants at the summit to enjoy sunset views around 4:30pm. While you're there, check out Shannon Falls, a short walk from the road.
Whale Watching from downtown (full day) or wildlife boat tours from Horseshoe Bay (half-day)

City Touring

We recommend:

Self-led walking tour #1: Denman->Davie->Granville->Robson
Self-led walking tour #2: Gastown->Convention Centre->Stanley Park
Self-led walking tour #3: Seawall from Kitsilano Beach->Olympic Village->Sunset Beach
Granville Island (take a water taxi!)
Top of Vancouver revolving restaurant
New casino called "Parq"
Drive around Stanley Park and stop for photos at the lighthouse and bridge viewpoints
Stanley Park Seawall: World's longest uninterrupted waterfront path (28km) encircles all of the downtown peninsula and extends west towards UBC. Great for walking, running or renting a bike or rollerblades.

Find details on all of these here: www.tourismvancouver.com

Check out this short timelapse video which shows far more than these photos.
And here's an 8 min narrated video for a more thorough introduction.

Whistler Village (45min) is beautiful to stroll around or take in a meal, and the gorgeous coastal mountain drive is part of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

*Actual photo of the chalet location

Q: I would like to participate, but I will be vacationing with my spouse, who is not a dancer. Can they stay with me at the chalet?
A: Sorry, the whole retreat is intended for dancers only. If you are interested in booking lessons with us while you are in the Vancouver area for Swingcouver, we suggest extending your holiday after the event and booking our studio private lessons here.

Q: What is the refund policy?
A: Deposits are non-refundable. Last-minute cancellations may be refunded only in the case of proven injury/illness that prevents travel. Full terms & conditions are available upon checkout.

Q: What exactly is included in the "daily breakfast"?
A: Confirmed participants will receive a questionnaire asking them to indicate their breakfast preferences so we can create a shopping list. We provide a-la-carte breakfast items such as eggs, bacon/sausages, cheese, waffles, bagels, bread, yogurt, fruit, granola, juice, coffee, etc. Participants can make whatever they choose at whatever time suits them.

Q: What is the daily class schedule?
A: There are no classes, only private lessons. You will be able to select your appointments in December. Each evening after dinner, there is an optional group "fireside chat" on WCS topics, then social dancing till whenever.

Q: Is there an airport pickup, or will I need to rent a car?
A: The chalet is about 45 min from the airport and Swingcouver. We recommend renting a car, which would allow you to independently explore the city and area. There is plenty of car parking at the chalet.