Shambhala Mountain Center

Enjoyed my first yoga meditation weekend retreat. Enjoyed the location, education, and people. You don’t have to be a pro at either for enjoying and practicing being a better person.

I enjoyed my meditation and yoga retreat although I would not return. Also it was about 10% yoga and 90% lectures, ceremony and discussions. I found it too sedentary of a program for me as an active person.
To note, if you are on the younger side you might want to know over half of the attendees were 55+.
There is a cult-​y vibe to the attendees as well.
The location is beautiful and serene and there are some scenic hikes in the area. I thought I would learn more about meditation and practice yoga, but it seems a lot of people who are in life transitions go there for support and connection. At times what comes up can be heavy and sad, so just know people go there for solace through the community. If you aren’t in that place it may seem intense or heavy for a «vacation».

What an amazing experience! This was one of the best experiences I have had in my life. Quiet, serene, and well supported, my time at SMC reconnected me to the earth, weather and my heart. If you are looking for someplace to reboot your connection to your life, this is the place.

Absolutely beautiful. Coming from LA, this place is literally a breath of fresh air — I didn’t realize how much I missed nature until I spent a week at the Shambhala Mountain Center. They have a variety of programs, some more meditation/​Buddhist oriented than others. It’s hard to put into words the experience of a meditation retreat, but as a retreat center, this place is breathtaking… and the food isn’t too bad either, especially since I’m on a gluten-​free dairy-​free diet!

I can’t really explain it in words, but every time I fly from Los Angeles to SMC I feel like I am coming home. I owe so much to this place for the changes in my life in the last few years. Doing dathun (month-​long retreat) during the winter was life changing. I plan on coming back to SMC every couple of years for the rest of my life.

Shambhala is a magnificent spiritual place.
I have been here twice and I have never been disappointed. If you are joining there for a retreat, I recommend you research your retreat guide leader and be sure that they are what you are searching for.
I attended Noah Levine’s ‘Heart of the Revolution’ Retreat there 2 years ago. It was truly a life changing experience. Not just his teachings, but to also be in such a beautiful and zen like atmosphere. I also attended the ‘Open Heart’ retreat by Susan Piver, and it was truly an honor to have experienced that place and that retreat with so many other amazing people. Shambhala is about community and you can feel it very much in some of the retreats. for several days through meditation and sangha, you come together to grow.
THE GREAT STUPA: Just a 20 minute walk up the trail from Shambhala is The Great Stupa, which is a magnificent sight to behold. I feel I really can’t do this place the justice it needs. Inside, is a enormous Buddha stature meditating in a lotus pose. Below him are series of cushions, so you can join Buddha in meditation. I highly recommend this. The statue and walls of the Stupa are filled with relics from all over and with various representations, including the skull of the founder of Shambhala, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in the buddha’s heart center.
FOOD: The food there is AMAZING! I’m allergic to gluten and eggs and I never have to worry cause they serve a gluten/​vegan option at every meal. I can’t say enough about how superb the food is. It’s delicious! They have some great chefs there. Real quick to make you drool… at my recent stay they had goat cheese and herb topped portobello mushrooms with chard, coconut thai veggies in a delicious coconut milk sauce, and on the last day of my stay they had a chocolate gluten free/​vegan cake. OMG… I seriously went to heaven. Plus it’s buffet style, so be prepared to gain a few LBs. lol.
Think of the stay there more like a camping trip and not a fancy hotel. If you keep that in mind, then you will have a terrific and enjoyable experience.

Yes, this was a very beautiful place to visit though I do have to say that we weren’t greeted or smiled at the whole time we were there. I may be a bit attached, I am watching that, but for a bunch of «Buddhists» this place was really lacking in the spirit of an open heart. Yes, the free meal was a lovely expression of generosity even if we were scolded that we we were going the wrong way around the buffet and not once welcomed. They are very focused on money and trying to get you to come back to spend more on their programs. I understand the need, I work with a nonprofit –but really?! I couldn’t possibly afford their «levels» (programs). It was on the edge of an elite cult for me. I’d rather take part in a down to earth type of group that is not focused on generating money but rather helping others wake up to this life. Buddha may have been rich but renounced that life and at heart was a very ordinary being.

I went here for a meditation retreat two summers ago, and was stunned by its community and beauty. I really enjoyed the schedule, meals and people that I met there — some in my program, and some others at meal time or hiking visiting for the day, etc.
Not 5 stars because:
–the mice in the communal bathhouse in the tent area really grossed me out. I know its not very zen, but I want them out of my stuff.
–the old Army tents we slept in smelled like mildew and had leaks and we were cursed with two days of rain.
–the last session of our retreat was spent trying to upsell us to more programs and instead of leaving with a «peaceful easy feeling», I felt like I had just missed joining a cult.
I am considering going here again this summer when I camp up in the Poudre Canyon and just spending the day… or else splurge on the upscale accommodations here.

This place is magical.
It is worth the crazy drive up there just to experience the serenity and peace. The exterior of the temple is beautiful, the grounds stunning and the interior will literally take your breath away.
We stayed for the vegetarian lunch and it was delish, filling and fresh.
This is truly a special place and you will feel refreshed and happy.

WOW! This place is amazing. The Shambhala Center is a so much more than the awe inspiring temple beautifully set against the back drop of the mountains. The retreat area we simply passed through, but I would absolutely want to spend some time there, it looked amazing. The gift shop didn’t leave me with a scuzzy feeling and I couldn’t help buying everything I even kinda liked to try to patronize such an amazing place.
It is unbelievable and something you have to see and experience to really be able to comprehend.

I really like the Google map as presented here.
Well, all dharma agrees at one point!
Great retreat-​type set-​up, excellent bookstore/​gift shop. The temple itself is a bit of a trek, but I was told by a Bodhisattva that it was to keep the Looky-Lou’s from trying to drive by it.
In the bookstore I picked up these wonderful Buddhism «flash card» type things, one which reads «Abandon any hope of fruition.» Hah! After an afternoon at the Shambhala Center, the saying (as did the others) made perfect sense to me.
A place which taught me to cultivate the power of the present moment by entering into the holy now.

In this crazy world it is so nice to find such a beautiful & peaceful place, so close to the Denver metro area. Plan your escape, even if it’s just for a day, yourself will love you.