Holden Village’s programs offer many opportunities to learn, connect, create, and have fun! We focus on education, the arts, children and youth activities, and outdoor recreation as integral to our mission. You have great flexibility in how you spend your time at Holden Village, filling your days with structured classes and activities or choosing your own adventure.
All programs and amenities are included in your visit to Holden. Additional spending is limited to costs of art materials and ice cream and drinks from Snack Bar and Beanies.
Holden has many activities available year-round. Whether gathering for daily worship, checking out a book from the library, borrowing gear from the Hike Haus, sweating away stress in the sauna, or getting a giant “Holden scoop” of ice cream, you can always find a source of rest and relaxation in the daily rhythms of the Village.
Enjoy ice cream, shakes, and malts or specialty espresso drinks at the best wilderness snack parlor in the Valley! In the summer, head over to a charming old-fashioned soda fountain space called “The Snack Bar” for ice cream or coffee. Drinks and ice cream are only a few dollars with prices that prioritize accessibility over profit. Since the Snack Bar isn’t heated in the winter, ice cream and coffee are moved to heated spaces (Koinonia and the Dining Hall) for the colder months and are available less frequently. Snack Bar and Beanies are a favorite gathering spot for all Villagers.
Relax in the heat of the Holden sauna! During the warmer months, the sauna is operated 24/7 on electric heat. In the winter, when power is less available, the sauna is wood-heated and is available less frequently to conserve wood. Learn more about sauna safety.
The Holden Hike Haus is the perfect starting point to explore the Railroad Creek valley and the gorgeous Glacier Peak Wilderness beyond. Experienced staff can advise you on current trail conditions and wildlife sightings to help you choose the best adventure for you and your companions. Need some gear? Hike Haus offers a great selection of equipment including backpacks, water bottles, sleeping bags and pads, tents, stoves, fishing poles, snow shoes, and cross country skis all on loan free of charge. Whatever the season, Holden has the outdoor knowledge and gear necessary for your adventure. Learn more about hiking at Holden.
Cozy up with a good book or catch up on reading your favorite magazines. The Library operates on the honor system, so take a book (or several!) to read and return them before you depart. There are plenty of comfy spaces in the Library and around the Village for you to curl up and enjoy a book. Access to Holden’s audio archives is available via a dedicated terminal, and a collection of memorials and guest reviews are also on view.
Holden Village gathers daily during Sacred Space for a time of reflection that echoes the traditions of early monastic communities by honoring all life as sacred. Holden Village practices an expansive Christianity where all people and spiritual practices are welcomed, faith journeys are nurtured, and everyone is encouraged to explore meaning and spiritual nourishment. Learn more about faith and spirituality at Holden.
The Arts have played an integral role in Holden’s mission throughout Holden’s history. The craft cave and pottery studio are available year-round. Registration fees cover all art class instruction; materials for classes or independent work can be purchased at low cost through our studios. Summer programs include frequent structured art classes, while other seasons offer open spaces for self-initiated creations.
Whether you have years of pottery experience or want to try it out for the first time, the Holden pottery studio is available to help you explore the craft. Try hand-building clay or throwing a pot on one of our pottery wheels, or take part in a jewelry class in the pottery studio. Note that the length of your stay will determine which type of projects you can complete.
Holden has over 15 wooden looms available for you to hand-make specialty weavings. There are introductory classes available to orient beginners with the basics. From there, it’s open season to weave as much as you wish. Different sized looms are perfect for making rugs, table mats, dishcloths, or table toppers with flair and a personal backstory.
Whether it is a guitar-led singalong from a Lodge porch, a drum circle on the Village Green, or sacred communal singing, music is in the air at Holden. The Village hosts open mic events, inviting performers of all mediums to share with the community, and welcomes musical talent to take part in worship. If you ask around, you’re likely to find someone interested in making music with you!
During the summer at Holden, the bowling alley and pool hall, relics of the days when the Village was a mining town, as well as the Village hot tub are open. The Village Center, where the bowling alley and pool hall are located, as well as the hot tub are not heated during colder months due to limitations in power production.
Where else can you go bowling in the wilderness? Try for a strike, split or spare at Holden Village’s historic bowling alley which has been in operation since the mining days. Bowling shoes and bowling balls are available to borrow for free. Check out the old-fashioned pin setting machine (children will need someone over 18 to supervise and set pins for them). The bowling alley is available only during the summer.
Make a break and run the table! Visit the Pool Hall where you can play pool on historic slate pool tables that have been at Holden since the mining days. The building was actually built around the pool tables! All equipment and supplies are provided for you to use for free. Note that the Pool Hall is not heated and available only during the summer.
Soak away aches and pains while striking up conversation with a new friend and enjoying the stunning view of Buckskin and Copper peaks. With truly spectacular views, the hot tub is a great spot for stargazing as well. Note that the hot tub is not open during the winter months due to limited power availability.
Holden averages nearly 270 inches of snowfall annually. Outdoor activities are made accessible through the Hike Haus which provides skis and snowshoes free of charge for use in winter.
Glide across the snow on cross-country skis with breathtaking views of the majestic peaks in every direction. The Hike Haus has skis, boots, and poles available to borrow free of charge. You can also choose to bring your own ski equipment with you. Depending on weather conditions, miles of groomed trails are available from the Village.
The Holden schedule isn’t released in advance as activities change quite frequently and events are subject to be rescheuled on canceled. To see specific teaching sessions available for a given week view the faculty page. This archive has schedules from the past, so you can see what a week at Holden may look like.
Cozy up with a good book or catch up on reading your favorite magazines. The Library operates on the honor system, so take a book (or several!) to read and return them before you depart. There are plenty of comfy spaces around the Village for you to curl up and enjoy a book.
Holden Village gathers daily during Sacred Space for a time of reflection that echoes the tradition of early monastic communities by honoring all of our life as sacred. Holden Village practices an expansive Christianity where all people and spiritual practices are welcome, faith journeys are nurtured, and everyone is encouraged to explore meaning and spiritual nourishment. Learn more about faith & spirituality at Holden.
The Holden Hike Haus offers outdoor equipment to explore the gorgeous Glacier Peak Wilderness free-of-charge for outdoor adventure basics, including backpacks, water bottles, sleeping bags and pads, tents, stoves, snow shoes, cross country skis, and fishing poles. Learn more about hiking at Holden.
Sweat out the stress and relax in the heat of the Holden sauna! During the warmer months, the sauna is run 24-7 on electric heat, while in the winter months when power is lower, the sauna is wood heated and available less frequently so as to conserve wood. Learn more about Sauna Safety
Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
View upcoming summer faculty.
