Winter’s Warm Embrace
Is winter the new summer in the northeast?
Midway through our second winter at The Thyme, we have become enamored by a season that we once viewed as downtime to plan for warmer days ahead. Berkshires weather can be unforgiving this time of year. But as we have come to understand, we’ve had the wrong frame.
What’s to love about winter Thyme? Many things. Most profoundly, its ability to bring us closer together. Sub-zero temperatures seem to warm the soul.
Photo: a moment at Resonance, captured by Kiernan Rome
Below the Ice
We were very familiar with cold plunges, but drilling through a foot of ice to plunge into a body of water is another level. Our pond sits adjacent to the cottage that houses 2 wood saunas, giving us the perfect set up for jumping between hot and cold. The feeling is surreal to submerge into the pond and its icy waters, while snow is coming down, immersed in the surrounding forest and the sounds of nature.
During our last Resonance retreat in late January, the air temperatures were minus zero—raising the intimidation factor to plus 100.
Through a ritual of breathwork, sauna and a prayer ties ceremony, we all took turns in the pond. It was pure exhilaration facing down the elements together.
Photo: Tim Walsh and Becca Jacobs guiding guests at Resonance, shot by Kiernan Rome
The closeness we felt to one another has made a mark on us. People who were strangers 24 hours before now felt like family.
Photo: Post-cold plunge moment around the firepit at Resonance, shot by Keirnan Rome
A Playground on the Surface
Our frozen pond was center stage at Curiouser’s Après Ever After family gathering in January, where Becca Jacobs appeared as Elsa and gave the kids a show—and some lessons in skating. Tiny hands gripped their hot cocoa and stood memorized by a woman who, only a day before, transported their parents to new dimensions with a transcendental breathwork experience in The Thyme’s temple.
Video: a performance by Becca Jacob’s at Curiouser, shot by Matt Emmi
It seems to snow when we wish for it really hard. On day 2 of Curiouser, dreams came true. Many of us scratched our plans to ski at Catamount that day, and opted for sledding and a firepit at The Thyme instead.
The sweat lodge is a sacred, often profound experience. During snowfall, it becomes magical. Twice, we entered the lodge with clear skies, only to emerge from the heat hours later into a snowstorm. Those moments stayed with us.
Fire Ceremony alongside the ravine
It just makes sense that winter brings us closer together. We gather for warmth and comfort. We enter the weekends as strangers and leave as chosen family.
Photo: Dinner at Resonance Retreat. Shop by Kiernan Rome.
Could winter be the new summer? In truth, what we have also learned after our first full year at The Thyme is that every season in the Berkshires presents its own form of magic. Of course, we realize most of you reading this will remain unconvinced. You’ll just have to come visit one of these winter days. Don’t forget your thermals… and a bathing suit.
Check out our upcoming winter and spring retreats here.