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When Teri Birk was looking for a getaway that would mix ultimate adventure with sublime relaxation, she found just what she needed at the Women's Adventure Retreat at Zion Ponderosa Resort. "It had everything I was looking for and it greatly exceeded my expectations," Birk said. "It was a wonderful experience—something I'll always remember."

The annual Women's Adventure Retreat takes place May 3-9, 2015, at Zion Ponderosa, a 4,000-acre private ranch resort bordering world-famous Zion National Park. The weeklong retreat gives women the unique opportunity to escape the everyday by offering the perfect mix of heart-pumping excursions that challenge the body and mind to lavish pampering set among some of the world's most stunning country.

During their stay, women can select from a range of activities, including helicopter and Jeep tours, horseback riding, canyoneering, hiking, and much, much more.

Those longing for rest and relaxation will be delighted with the luxurious accommodations, rejuvenating massages and chef-prepared meals. The resort also offers a climbing wall, zip line, rifle range and several planned activities, plus open use of mini golf, basketball, billiards, tennis, volleyball, swimming pool, hot tub and more.

Mandy Woodhouse, director of the event, describes the Women's Adventure Retreat as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "I do not know of any other retreat that offers hikes, helicopter tours, four wheeling, gun-shooting and rappelling down a canyon," she said. "Then you end the day with great meals, hot-tubbing, fire pits and star gazing at night."

While the resort offers several planned excursions, women can forego a scheduled activity in favor of visiting Zion National Park, taking a serene nature walk on the private ranch, or hiking three miles across the plateau to Observation Point (noted by Backpacker magazine as the best view in Utah!).

"The Adventure Retreat was created for a nice break for women. We get so busy doing good things, but it's nice to take some time for ourselves," said Woodhouse.

Beyond offering an adventurous getaway, the event is a place for women to reconnect with themselves and bond with other women. "We work so hard. If we take time for ourselves, we can step back into the daily grind and be a better version of ourselves," said Woodhouse, adding that the event builds lasting friendships among attendees.

"We have each touched each other's lives and have built each other up to be better when we went home," she said. "It impacted my life as much as each of the unique women I was able to meet. When women are around other women they share a bond, and when they do hard or challenging things together they can celebrate together. The bond between women and sharing lifelong friendships is hard to beat."

Birk agrees, saying that one of the best parts of her time at the Women's Adventure Retreat was the lasting friendships she made. "My group had a wonderful time. We stayed up and played games at night. It was a lovely bonding experience."

All in all, the adventure-filled getaway is a week full of mind, body and spirit rejuvenation. "You will leave the retreat feeling empowered. You will feel like you've marked items off your bucket list. You will leave knowing you can do hard things and that hard things can be fun."

For more information, visit Women's Adventure Retreat.