Picture this: you wake before the others, find a cozy spot on the deck with a hot drink warming your hands, as you watch the sunrise slowly paint the mountain valley in golden light. That sacred quiet before the house stirs. Before the day begins. It’s yours.
Here, cradled by the peaks, you'll find gentle permission for stillness—and just as much space for heart-to-heart connection.

You'll enjoy 7 nights lodging in one of 4 beautiful villas nestled in the Strandafjellet mountains, a comfortable private double or single bedroom, 2 large bathrooms per villa, cozy nooks for conversation and stillness, indoor and outdoor fireplace, jacuzzi on the deck and breathtaking mountain views from sunrise to sundown.

Download our digital brochure containing the programme details, full week itinerary for our time in the mountains, more about this year's adventure party (coming soon) and background info about this very first Firekeepers Althing.

Trade in the noise for the spaciousness of mountain time, where the questions you've been forcing dissolve. What emerges is your most joyous inner genius—the one always ready to play.

This is a week where you remember what lights you up entirely, what matters most, and lets you re-imagine what's next—without trying to solve anything at all.

This isn't networking—it's homecoming. You'll find inspiring souls and friendships that extend far beyond this week. The Althing is the annual open gathering of Firekeepers, a newly forming collective of leaders, creatives and community weavers on a similar quest.

Together, we’ll discover new patterns of flourishing that carry us forward long after we descend that last mountain.

You'll spend the week with some of the most gifted coaches and space-holders we know—friends who can sit in the mud with you. Not to fix, but to help you find the wisdom already within. Not through formal sessions, but through mountainside conversations and cozy fireside check-ins. This is an invitation to walk a more easeful, joyous path—without sacrificing an ounce of impact.

In the presence of peaks that have witnessed millennia, you’ll feel not insignificance, but rather the wondrous power that comes from deep reverence of nature, each other, and the important work we're here to do. This is where flickering flames become a bonfire.

This is where we come together in awe—nourished and whole—so we can make real that dream of the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

An unforgettable fjord kayak tour where you get to explore the Tafjord—part of the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site.

We'll paddle to the Slufsa waterfall with its imposing 1000-meter vertical drop, a truly humbling encounter with nature's raw power. And as we glide across mirror-still waters, experienced local guides will share stories and insight into the dramatic history of this awe inspiring landscape.

Throughout the week, we'll guide hikes for every fitness level through some of Norway's most breathtaking alpine terrain—from gentle valley strolls to epic alpine ascents.

Experience the fairy tale beauty of the Romedalen valley, sunrise walks to greet the morning together, and for the most adventurous: a day hike to Saksa, queen of the Sunnmøre Alps. This week is all about awe and deep reverence of nature, as you listen inward.

After our kayak adventure, you can ease into the warmth of the Tafjord Sauna—where floor-to-ceiling windows frame a truly spectacular view over the fjord. Feel the heat melt away the day's efforts as you watch light play across the water.

As the locals would say with typical Norwegian understatement: "Ikke verst" (not bad).

Clarity emerges differently here. Not through forced breakthroughs, but through presence.

Walk alongside wise coaches on mountain trails, gather in circles where collective wisdom rises naturally, or simply sit with the question while nature does what nature does best: gracefully show you what matters most.

As daylight fades, gather by the fire or sink into the hot tub as sunset transforms the valley.

The Longhouse becomes our evening haven—with a smorgasbord of playful rituals like PowerPoint Karaoke, Show & Tell circles where stories flow freely, collaborative board games, Tarot readings by candlelight, and whatever spontaneous magic that wants to unfold. Or simply curl up in a quiet corner with a book while the tavern-like warmth and laughter fill the space around you.

Join our local chef on a culinary treasure hunt into the Strandafjellet woodlands. A meditative walk that invites you to slow down and notice all that the forest has to offer.

Enjoy hearty, soulful meals by a local chef over candlelight dinner. We’ll serve delicious comfort food and Nordic favourites—prepared fresh daily using locally-sourced ingredients.

Join a guided tour of the Skarbø farm by Storfjorden in Sunnmøre, and get a unique insight into local farming, and how their exquisite artisan products are made. Here, the eighth generation, Kristine and Carlos, build on long traditions and solid craftsmanship to give you unforgettable taste experiences.

You'll walk through a living landscape with farm buildings from the 17th century, and get a unique insight into both historic and modern local farm life. They have cats, hens, cows and calves living here, so we might very well meet them on our way. Samples of cheese, diary products and cider will flow aplenty.

This week is yours to shape—every activity optional, with something for all abilities. Beyond the group adventures, you can choose from heart-pumping options like paragliding or wild water rafting, or explore the Norangsfjord by e-bike at a more leisurely pace.

I design spaces where transformation feels like homecoming. As a community alchemist and founder of Refugia.world, I weave healing-centered ecosystems rooted in the Filipino values of kapwa (shared humanity) and pakikiramdam (deep, attuned sensing). My work—from co-leading the Neurodiversity Foundation to holding circles for changemakers worldwide—is guided by one core belief: healing doesn't happen in isolation. It happens in relation. Through witnessing, pakikiramdam (deep attunement), and gentle provocation, I help leaders unmask, soften, and begin again.

My path has been shaped by rupture and repair—navigating my mother's cancer, my own breast cancer journey, migration, motherhood, and the ongoing practice of making home within myself. These passages taught me that healing isn't clinical; it's relational, communal, embodied.

My path to coaching leaders began in the Royal Navy, where I spent 23 years rising to Commander and becoming the Navy's very first serving mother.

An early formative experience was my father's sudden death as a young man. In the years that followed I watched my mother find the strength to continue the business they'd founded. She embodied many of the qualities of what I now call "fearless compassion" - which defines my work with leaders today.

After leaving the Navy, I rebuilt my life - coaching in post-Orange revolution Ukraine, raising a young family in Russia, and 15 years ago asking myself and my husband a simple question: If we could wake up to anything, what would it be? The answer was mountains - and we moved to the French Alps.

For the past 10 years I've been guiding leaders through my signature framework, Mindful Command®️ - a holistic approach that helps leaders align who they are with how they lead.

I'm known for my calming presence and deep listening. I believe the best leadership isn't about doing more - it's about being whole.

I love creating spaces where people can show all their colours—and reclaim a sense of child-like wonder & awe. Well over a decade ago I co-founded Funbase, a community to celebrate the healing power of play. And shortly after, the Treehouse Tribe—a one of a kind coworking space in Amsterdam where kindness meets business. But like so many who hold space for others, I’m a serial overextender. And after nearly burning out for the second time, the mountains granted me the clarity I so desperately needed: you can't pour from an empty cup. This second awakening of the soul gave me permission to sit by the river of stillness and fill my cup to the brim. And it invited the inspiration for the Firekeepers collective as well as this retreat to my motherland you're reading about now.

Today, I design gatherings, and build worlds where awe, wonder, and genuine connection aren't mere aspirations—but embodied and real. Whether I'm designing transformational retreats, building humane technology, world-building epic D&D campaigns for my childhood friends, or crafting unforgettable bachelor party experiences, I'm guided by a fundamental belief: we need glimpses of the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

This gathering is my love letter to all the heart shaped leaders, creatives & space holders out there—and an invitation to join me on a truly epic mountain adventure.

I design brands & experiences that touch the heart. After years of supporting others in pursuit of their dreams, I now took the courage to dream my now. This yearly retreat is my sacred moment of pause; to unwind, realign my compass and stoke my inner fire. To reconnect with nature at its finest, have permission for stillness and hold space for heart-to-heart connection.

For this gathering I’ll design spaces that offer rest, child-like joy, laughter and deep connection. So you can come home to yourself, enjoy the company of inspiring souls and forge new friendships that will extend far beyond this week.

I'm a creative chameleon who's spent a decade refusing to fit into boxes. Originally from West Virginia, I built a career as a visual storyteller in Washington DC—photographer, director, experience designer, writer, aspiring documentarian. But describing myself as "just a photographer" never quite captured the boundless curiosity and creative magic I bring. Whether I'm directing campaigns, scouting locations, or finding interest in "the ordinary," I have a gift for turning concepts into visual communication that moves people.

I'm more than willing to be expansive and silly—to draw inspiration from tabletop RPGs, game design, art, and literature without apology. I think of myself like a mage: capable of channeling powerful creative spells that have massive impact, but that drain my mana pool and require deep rest to replenish. That's exactly who I am—a gatherer of magic who understands that the most potent creativity comes from cycles of full expression and sacred pause. At the Althing, I'll help us see the wonder that's always been hiding in plain sight.

I love holding space where ideas can take shape and people can breathe. Where we can be serious about our work while laughing at how silly we sound. Where vulnerability is strength and playfulness is a superpower—they're how we find what's real.

I've spent a decade designing experiences, facilitating learning, and building communities where people think better together. I co-founded Treehouse Tribe, created The Empathy Game (25,000+ copies sold in three languages), and worked with organisations who want their teams to truly connect.

I work with founders, leaders, and creatives building something meaningful who need a thinking partner—someone who sees connections they might miss and brings useful provocation: clarity without crushing creativity, hard questions while holding their vision with care.

At the Althing, I'll help ideas crystallise while holding space for both dreaming and doing—because real transformation happens through connection, not isolation.

I was born in the Sunnmøre alps, but raised in the flattest country on earth: The Netherlands. Every summer, my brother Kai and I made the journey back to our motherland. With each return, my connection to these mountains deepened. Nowadays, I know these peaks by heart. Not just as a hiker, but as someone for whom these mountains feel like coming home. As a climber and guide, I bring both technical expertise and the kind of calm, grounded presence that makes challenging terrain feel manageable. I love helping others explore their limits, reach the peak together and enjoy the majesty nature has to offer.

At the Althing, I'll be your resident mountain guide. Leading hikes tailored to all levels and making sure everyone feels safe and capable on the trails. Between adventures, you might find me baking Norwegian waffles and kanelsnurrer (cinnamon buns) from our grandmother's recipe. The smell alone is worth the journey.