shambhala mountain center

The Shambhala Mountain Center is an unexpected jewel near Red Feather Lakes. The enjoyable walk from "downtown" leads to the Grand Stupa of Dharmakaya "Which Liberates Upon Seeing". Please respect the privacy and intentions of those who have gathered there for retreats and teachings. Many may be on silent retreats so don't expect warm, lively, social conversation during a brief visit!

Wasn't sure what to expect on our recent visit but was anticipating a friendly atmosphere and smiles from the people we encountered (visitors and residents). We didn't get that but I guess what we were actually doing was intruding on people taking part in their personal Shambhala experience, whereas we were visiting to see what is there, and to perhaps gain a little understanding of why Shambhala exists. The reluctance of people to engage in eye contact even when close was odd to say the least. It is certainly a peaceful place, even a few deer around, but in our discussions amongst ourselves after leaving we all felt a little deflated and our experience did not encourage the thought of returning or suggesting to friends they make the visit themselves.

This is a challenging review as their as four aspects: 1) the Grand Stupa of Dharmakaya, 2) Lodging, 3) Food Service and 4) courses and teaching . I was on a "retreat", which meant I was not a participant in any yoga, chi gong, etc courses. My spouse was.Starting out, Shambala is near Red Feather Lakes and relatively easy to find, but a long way from most services, so it is self-contained. Being remote their is no cell service and internet access is limited. 1) The Grand Stupa is an amazing structure, both inside and out.See the pics showing the approach, the entrance and then a view looking away from the Grand Stupa. I took no interior photos out of respect, but the images remain in my mind. It is a place of contemplation and peace. If you visit be certain to also view the floor tile work. The pomegranate tile is particularly interesting.2) Lodging varies and many stay in tents on raised platforms. Shower and bathroom are centralized facilities near the tents. There are others I can't speak to, as we stayed in one of the lodges. (See pics of Rigden and Shambala lodges). The rooms were very clean, had nice furniture (though the pillows were few and very flat). More spacious than I expected, and the bathroom was roomy. Shoes are prohibited to be worn inside the lodges. The lodges are well-situated for getting to the dining hall, the Sacred studies Hall (see pic) and the gift store. Just be prepared to do a lot of walking on unpaved trails, as parking is at least a half-mile from the lodges.3) Dining is the most problematic. Three meals a day are offered (and day visitors can share, with a request for donations). Menus are limited, and served in a mess hall style (see dining area pic). There are always vegetarian and/or vegan options, and the quality of ingredients and cooking is VG, BUT food was never hot. Even when we were early in line food was tepid, at best. Lukewarm mashed potatoes are not appealing. Breakfast is minimal, typically oatmeal and hard boiled eggs. They always have options such as fresh fruit and granola. A good selection of bread is available, but their toaster is insufficient for the size of the groups. It is a commercial conveyor style, but doesn't toast well and jammed several times slowing things down. Also curious is that beverages included milk, milk alternatives, coffee, tea and water. No juices of any type.4) As mentioned I did not attend any courses, but did find it a peaceful place to explore privately (hiking trails are available), and also interact with attendees who come from many places and backgrounds. Some stay weeks...some do a silent mediation in which they do not speak for an extended period.Lastly, everyone we encountered at the Center was very friendly and helpful, from the check-in, to dining, to gift shop.

Red feathers is a beautiful location ..... However, the Shambahla Center is VERY misleading. The staff is scary, not friendly, not helpful, food is terrible! No one around to check you in. Would not suggest staying overnight. Facility is not kept up. Program said there would be yoga.... No one there to teach and they didn't offer once we where there.They didn't want us to park our car by the facility we where staying in over night (the dorm), said they preferred us to leave our car by the front entrance and walk to the dorm.... With our suitcase on a dirt road about half a mile away!The guide to the Stupa was rude and bad language during the hike to it. Not professional, dressed like a bum. Using curse words during his talk....... Is this "Buddhism " .... Overall, VERY disappointing and would not go back.....Be very careful of the staff, scary and gave us weird looks and never smiled or laughed. Not friendly.Felt more like a cult of scary people.Meals where served in a dirty open large tent, cafeteria style, it was cold and windy, food was cold also. Limited choices.Would not recommend and would not go back.

I attended a two day class at Shambhala and I left the class after the first day. Katherine Kaufman is not a yoga instructor. She did no yoga at all, only sat in the middle of the class acting like a high queen. She was very rude to several people attending and I was appalled at the attitude of some of the employees at the center. If this is a buddhist retreat, then I don't want to go there again. Prices are completely ridiculous and the fact that you cannot take your dog on a leash with you to the Stupa is insane. Also, the fees for classes is not something I think the Buddha would have agreed with. This is a place for snobby rich people pretending to practice buddhism. However, if you can get passed the insanity of the so-called practicing buddhists, then the hike up to the Stupa is definitely worth the drive to Red Feather. If you take away the un-awakened teachers and staff then you have a peaceful environment. Just don't stay there and attend anything. Take the hike and go on in peace!

This beautiful Stupa (no fee to visit), is a place very well worth visiting. Built by devotees from around the world (a lot of hand painting work), this is truly a labor of love. The huge statue of Lord Buddha is very imposing. The reason I rate it as very good rather than excellent is because the statue does have a lot of dust on it which they said they clean once a month. The whole place has a very peaceful aura about it and is really very alive with good vibrations. The center also offers several courses (payment for courses is required of course) and has accommodations (payment required) that are dormitory style -- very simple, basic, reasonable and adequate. The cafeteria style canteen serves simple, healthy and reasonably priced meals.

Every time I come to SMC and leave a changed person. It is hard to put it into words but the place is truly magical. It is one of those places that shows you what is humanly possible when people care about each other, are willing to treat each other with dignity and share that wisdom with the environment.

I've seen a few reviews about how dreadful Shambhala's residences are. Remember that this is a volunteer-led area that uses donations to build up their area. Should the tents or older residences not be for you, then try the newer dorm-style lodges. This is where I stayed for a writing retreat. The room contained a bed, desk, and a place to hang my jacket -- nothing else. The shared bathroom was across the hall and features toilets, sinks, and hot showers. This was fine, since all I was there for was to write. On needing a break I could walk outside and take any number of trails to walk into their "downtown" area or up to the beautiful Stupa about a quarter-mile from the main residence area. I also browsed the pretty extensive gift shop and also stood on the lodge's porch and just listened to the utter quiet.I believe the type of food you receive depends on the chefs that normally come up to cook. During my stay the meals were fantastic and catered to all dietary types. Lunch and dinner were the best, featuring items like shrimp in cream curry sauce, beef stew, and penne with salsa verde. There wasn't one moment that I went hungry.You want luxury, head down to Denver. You want peace, tranquility, and a chance to recharge your batteries, choose Shambhala for a weekend stay.

You don't have to be a Buddhist or a meditator to be inspired by the peace and tranquility of this mountain retreat; however, I can't imagine anyone not being affected by the Great Stupa and the serenity there. The retreat center is fairly rustic, so other than hardcore camper types, I recommend staying in one of the lodge rooms with baths. The food leaves much to be desired and the dining tent is just what you might imagine in a large white tent put up in Summer and taken down in Fall.

I live in Colorado and have wanted to make it up to Shambhala Mountain Center for years. After building something up in my mind for so long, I wasn’t sure it could live up to my expectations but it surpassed them. The drive up is just gorgeous. Rock outcroppings, evergreens, flowers, deer and chipmunks.The staff was very welcoming, provided a map of the grounds, answered our questions and reviewed meal time, meditation times and policies with us. Our room was clean and comfortable. The grounds were quiet, uncrowded and beautiful. Walking up to the Stupa was a contemplative exercise. Going into the Stupa was like walking into a giant Faberge egg. There is a lot to see and experience yet it is a quiet place that inspires introspection and deeper learning. Meals were simple. As someone with a lot of different food allergies, I appreciated that they had a wide variety of foods available –and listed the ingredients – so I could find something delicious to eat. At $74/night I found the price of a room and 3 meals to be very reasonable.If you are a demanding traveler with exacting standards, find a 5 star hotel and just visit Shambhala for the day. Shambhala has more of a comfortable camping sort of feel. You will not have room service, a TV in your room or an internet connection. What you will have is a peaceful, simple, quiet experience. Keep in mind that the center is staffed largely by volunteers who are doing a lot of work to keep everything going. They’re available if needed but you’re given time and space to explore on your own. There is an expectation that you will clear your own plate, clean up your own trash and be respectful and caring to those around you.If you want time to connect with nature, meditate, learn more about Buddhism, meet some new friends from all over the world and have some contemplative time, Shambhala may be a good fit for you. Bring your flashlight so you can get around after dark and remember to drink lots of water to avoid altitude sickness and bring layers – it can get quite warm during the day and quite cold at night. The lodge is very comfortable and the tents do have a sturdy wood cot in them. The tents are fantastic to be right near the wild-life but the lodge is great for comfort.I hope you enjoy your time at Shambhala as much as we did!

Hike around the SMC. Vistied the Stupa. It was led by the native plant society and the SMC land steward. It was wonderful and informative. Had lunch there, food was very good.

Take time to arrive before it gets dark to acclimate with the gorgeous surroundings. To disengage from machines such as cars or cell phones,this happens from the start. I unload at the rigden lodge, drive back to the parking lot near the entrance and walk the 10 minutes back to the lodge. I leave my shoes at the door, as is the custom in most eastern countries, and settle in to my sparse and rustic room. I adore the comforter, very cozy. Hiking trails, delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian and gluten-free options, and plenty of locations to practice meditation. A treat to my psych and a favorite place to retreat.

Shambala squanders the most awe inspiring location with a lack of attention or care. It was actually dirty and neglected. The scary reference comes from looking up at the bedroom ceiling - no lights - and realizing the smoke detector had been ripped out, leaving exposed wires. The food was awful, genuinely awful, like canned cream of noodle soup. The guests or Buddhism students looked listless, there was no apparent leadership, it was difficult to find a staff person to check in and then we practically fled at first light. The temple was lovely but even the grounds are ruined by poor planning, as you must pass a dozen porta-potties to reach the path to the temple. I have toured temples from upstate NY and the Berkshires, to Thailand and Indonesia - I've never seen such a dismal contrast between the inspiring and the despairing.

I haven’t gone to any of their retreats. This review just pertains to a daytime visit. We found this place by accident while staying in cabins on Rt. 14. It is on a well maintained dirt road that is off of Rt. 14 near Glen Echo Resort. This is near mile marker 91 which is about an hour drive from Fort Collins. It is about 10 minutes from 14 - just follow the signs. Most of the complex is open to the public. The main attraction is the stupa (temple) which is a 20 minute walk from the parking lot. It is beautifully carved and painted on the outside and also beautiful on the inside with a huge statue of Buddha and a gorgeous inlaid floor. Other attractions include a rather overgrown native garden, a gift shop (that was closed when we were there), and hiking. They supposedly have 8 miles of hiking trails but we didn’t have time to use them. Also, they have a buffet style lunch between 12:30-1:30pm for only a $10 suggested donation. The food was quite good with pasta with both a chicken alfredo sauce and a vegetarian tofu sauce, a very fresh salad bar, fruit, and other things. Although there didn’t seem to be many people on the grounds on a weekday in September, there were dozens of people eating lunch. I recommend this place, especially if you are in the area.

Buddhist camp/retreat. Educational retreats/meetings facility. Spectacular surrounding moutainous area, about 30-40 miles NW of Ft Collins. 8,000 ft elevation. 15 minute walk back into the shrine/Stupa from main parking lot. Tours available. Permits allowed so those with health conditions can visit to without walking. Donations suggested. Mesmerizing holy site.