For Women Who Can’t Sit Still: The Evolution of The Retreat Co.

Written By Tarin O'Donnell

This week’s episode is a snowy, cozy, in-person catch-up recorded at the brand-new Evo Hotel / Sierra Surf Club in Tahoe City. I sat down with Charlotte Lilley, founder of The Retreat Co., to talk about everything that’s happened since she first came on the podcast—and wow, there’s a lot.

We covered how The Ski Retreat became The Retreat Co., why her adventures are designed for women who can’t sit still, and the big leap she and her husband are making with a physical retreat property (yes…actual land!). Charlotte is one of those people whose ideas match her follow-through, and you’re going to feel the fire in this episode.

Listen to the episode below

How The Ski Retreat Started

“90% of women who book these trips tell me I don't have any other women to ski with.”

Charlotte launched The Ski Retreat back in 2018, before women’s ski weekends were a thing, and built it specifically for women who wanted connection, community, and a judgment-free place to explore the mountains. Most guests arrived solo, but no one ever stayed that way.

We talk about how the early years shaped the foundation of what eventually became The Retreat Co.

The Evolution: The Retreat Co.

“I was very attached to it because I'd had it for seven years. But I was like, growth is hard, and we're gonna do it.”

When Charlotte left her corporate job, things shifted fast. She expanded from winter-only retreats to a multi-season structure that now includes:

  • Ski Retreats

  • Camp Retreats

  • Work Retreats (corporate leadership, connection-focused gatherings)

  • Emerging virtual offerings for teams + community members

The rebrand to The Retreat Co. gave her the freedom to build something bigger than one season or activity: an umbrella for women who can’t sit still in any season.

Building Community Beyond the Mountains

This year, Charlotte tested a new idea: The Winter Snowdown, a ski-season kickoff series in mountain towns like Boise, Beaver Creek, Jackson Hole, Burlington, and Tahoe City. These parties brought local women together long before the lifts started spinning.

We also talk about the demand for more in-between moments—virtual meetups, brand-led workshops, skill-building sessions—and why that “white space” matters.

A New Chapter: A Physical Retreat Space

“We're actually in escrow on a piece of land.”

Yes, you read that right.

Charlotte and her husband are officially in escrow on property between Truckee and Grass Valley that will become a physical home base for The Retreat Co. Think:

  • Glamping tents

  • Camping retreats

  • Long-table garden dinners

  • Flower fields

  • Weddings + elopements

  • A purpose-built space where women can gather, learn, rest, and reconnect

It’s the next evolution of a business built on community—and one of the most exciting parts of this conversation.

Takeaways

  • Women crave connection, and many don’t have adventure partners.

  • Retreats aren’t about skill, they’re about experience, belonging, and trying new things in a supportive space.

  • You don’t need to be everything to everyone; you just need to create what you believe in.

  • Virtual offerings aren’t dead, they’re evolving.

  • Purpose-built space creates possibility.

  • The Retreat Co. story is just beginning.

Connect With The Retreat Co

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Tarin O'Donnell

I’m Tarin O’Donnell, the voice behind Tarin It Up — a podcast, brand, and community celebrating women who carve their own paths in the outdoors, business, and everyday life. When I’m not behind the mic, you’ll find me creating events, testing gear, or chasing adventures around Truckee and beyond. My goal? To share real stories, spark connection, and encourage others to live a little more boldly.

https://www.tarinitup.com
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